Dermatitis in Cats: An Overview

Dog Breeds

Dermatitis in cats is a condition which causes inflammation and irritation of the skin. The most common causes of dermatitis in cats are due to flea bite allergies and reactions to (mostly seasonal) allergens in the environment. Dermatitis may also be a symptom of an underlying health problem.

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Definition of Dermatitis

Dermatitis is defined as any inflammation of the skin. It can manifest in a number of ways and is one of the most frustrating conditions for owners of companion cats. In many cases, the cause of dermatitis is never discovered; in other cases, it takes prolonged diagnostic work to identify the causative agent.

How Dermatitis Affects Cats

The clinical signs of feline dermatitis usually involve chronic and sometimes frantic scratching, itching, pawing and rubbing of affected areas – commonly the paws, face, underarm area and base of the tail - which may or may not fluctuate seasonally. Their skin typically becomes inflamed and irritated from the underlying irritant, self-trauma or both. Another common sign is hair loss due to damage to the hair follicles. “Hot spots” can develop, along with ulceration, raised red eruptions or other sores. The cat’s skin may become oily or dry and scaly, and is often accompanied by ear infections and a foul smell. Feline dermatitis tends to be progressive, regardless of its cause, unless it is treated appropriately.

Causes of Dermatitis in Cats

The causes of feline dermatitis are elusive and can vary widely. They can include contact with irritating animal, vegetable or chemical substances, exposure to extreme temperature conditions, mechanical irritation, self-trauma, malnutrition, immune-mediated disorders and viral, bacterial, fungal or other infectious disease. Allergic reactions to external parasitic bites (fleas, ticks, mites, lice) or to certain foods, grasses, detergents, plants or other environmental allergens, are among the most common causes of dermatitis in cats. Incidents of dermatophytosis (a non-parasitic fungal disease affecting the hair, nails and skin, commonly called “ringworm”) tend to be higher in cats than in dogs and probably are underdiagnosed in cats as a cause of dermatitis. Sometimes, the underlying cause will never be discovered. In those cases, prescription oral and topical medications may be helpful to soothe the cat’s symptoms. If not treated, feline dermatitis can predispose affected animals to secondary bacterial skin infections, or worse.

Preventing Dermatitis in Cats

Prevention of dermatitis depends upon the underlying cause of the condition. Many topical preventatives are available to minimize allergic reactions to or infection by external parasites. In addition, all companion cats should be fed a high-quality, balanced diet. Medicated shampoos and other lotions or salves often are helpful to moisturize and soothe skin affected by dermatitis and to relieve the accompanying itchiness.

Special Notes

Successful treatment of feline dermatitis requires identifying the source of the condition through a number of available veterinary diagnostic techniques and then eliminating or removing the source once it is identified. As long as the cause can be addressed, the outlook for cats with dermatitis is fairly good to excellent. Dermatitis caused by a systemic disease or condition (such as one contributing to immunodeficiency) typically will not resolve unless that condition can be treated successfully. Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis (cats and dogs are the normal hosts) is a zoonotic disease, making humans at risk of infection if they are exposed to an infected cat.

Symptoms and Types