Common Cat Skin Problems: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Cat skin problems are often one of the first visible signs that something may be affecting your pet’s overall health. Healthy skin should be smooth, free of irritation, and either pink or black, depending on the breed. A shiny, well-maintained coat also reflects good health and proper grooming. 

Any changes to your cat’s skin — such as itching, crusting, scaling, bald patches, or inflammation — may indicate an issue that needs attention. Even subtle signs, especially around the ears, can point to underlying concerns. 

By knowing what to look for, you can catch these issues early and ensure your feline companion gets the care they need. Keep on reading to learn more about some of the skin issues they might encounter. 

Dry skin in cats

Dry skin in cats is usually not a serious health issue, but it can cause discomfort if your cat begins scratching excessively. Environmental factors often play a role, particularly during colder months when indoor heating reduces humidity levels. The dry air can lead to flakiness, itchiness, and a dull coat. You may notice your cat grooming more frequently or small flakes appearing in their fur. While often seasonal, dry skin can also be linked to dehydration, poor diet, or sensitivities to grooming products. 

To help manage dry skin, ensure your cat stays well-hydrated and is eating a nutritionally balanced diet that includes essential fatty acids. Adding a humidifier to your home can make a big difference in maintaining skin moisture during the winter. If dryness continues or is accompanied by redness, hair loss, or scabs, it’s best to consult your vet, as these could be signs of a more serious skin condition. 

Common skin parasites

Common skin parasites on cats include fleas, ticks and mites. They can cause itchiness, inflammation and skin lesions, as well as hair loss. In some more serious cases, a heavy flea infestation can cause anaemia in kittens, which can be dangerous to their health. Fleas can also cause a specific allergy in cats known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD - see below for more information). Most cat skin conditions involving parasites can be treated quickly, although some may require longer-term treatment.

Identifying cat fleas

Cats are very good at grooming themselves, so owners are sometimes surprised to learn that their cat has fleas. The reality is that cat skin conditions can be caused by fleas, and the most obvious sign that the pesky parasites have taken up residence on your cat is persistent scratching, although some cats won’t scratch themselves but instead over-groom, sometimes leaving bald patches.

Treating fleas in cats

Talk to your vet if you suspect your cat has fleas – they’ll be able to recommend the most suitable treatment. Cat fleas are persistent little critters, so not only does your cat need to be treated but their environment must be treated, too. This means washing bedding, cushion covers and clothing at high temperatures. Once you’ve got rid of them, make sure you use a flea-prevention treatment all year round as both the high humidity of the summer and central heating in winter make for cosy flea environments.

Cat fleas and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)

Fleas can be very uncomfortable for your pet, and it's important to know that the most common flea found on cats is the cat flea, but rabbit and hedgehog fleas can also cause problems for your feline friend. Sometimes cats can become sensitive to flea saliva and develop an allergy to their bites, known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

FAD can develop in different ways, although usually results in irritation and itchiness, which can lead to your cat scratching themselves, sometimes causing hair loss and small scabs on their skin (known as miliary dermatitis).

Cats with FAD have extremely sensitive skin, meaning that just one tiny flea could trigger a cycle of itching and scratching.

For more information on how to find out if your cat has fleas and treatment options, see our page on fleas and ticks for cats.

Feline skin allergies

Just like us, cats can develop an allergic reaction to all sorts of things. A reaction is caused by your cat’s immune system producing antibodies in response to the allergen, which ultimately cause inflammation, itchiness and other cat skin problems.

Common cat allergens include:

• Inhaled allergens including mould, pollen and house dust.
• Fleas.
• Irritating substances coming in contact with your cat's skin are responsible for contact dermatitis. These can include soaps and perfumes, household or garden sprays, chemicals, feathers, wool and even some flea collars.
• Certain types of food.

Hair loss (alopecia) in cats

Cats will shed hair all year round (known as moulting) but tend to lose more hair in the summer and autumn, so you may need to lend a hand to help them with their grooming– and invest in a good vacuum cleaner!

However if you notice that your cat is losing more hair than is normal during their moulting, they may be affected by alopecia (loss of fur). Cat hair loss is often down to over-grooming an itchy or sore area, perhaps due to cat skin infections such as ringworm (a fungal infection), common skin parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites, or hormonal problems. Over-grooming can also be down to behavioural problems or anxiety, which is usually more common in cats than it is dogs, and can result in your cat vomiting fur-balls due to the amount of fur they end up swallowing.

General poor health and nutrition are often the culprits behind cat skin complaints, although having a litter of kittens or an underlying disease can be to blame, too.

Treating alopecia in cats

Before your vet can suggest a treatment for your cat’s hair loss, they’ll need to look for the cause of the alopecia and other potential cat skin conditions. Fleas are a common cause of itchiness, which in turn can lead to hair loss, so your vet might recommend a flea treatment (which you should keep up to date with anyway).

Your vet might also take a sample of your cat’s fur or scrape a little sample of skin to test for ringworm and parasites, or they might take a blood sample to check for any underlying disease. Sometimes they’ll perform an allergy test, or a slightly larger cat skin sample will be taken, but under anaesthetic, so they won’t feel a thing.

If your vet can’t find the cause of the alopecia, or your cat isn’t responding to treatment, they may refer you to a veterinary dermatologist for a more in-depth investigation. If you or your vet thinks there’s a behavioural problem at play, then you’ll need to look for sources of stress in your cat’s lifestyle, or talk to an animal behaviourist.

Some cases of cat hair loss, such as ringworm, can be passed on to humans, although this is quite rare. Still, a visit to the vet is always a good idea to keep both you and your cat happy and healthy.

Summer care for your cat’s skin

Cats are especially vulnerable to sun-related skin issues during the summer months, particularly on areas with less fur coverage like the ears, nose, and around the eyes. Cats with white or light-coloured fur are at greater risk of sunburn due to their reduced natural pigmentation, which offers less protection against harmful UV rays. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to redness, irritation, and in severe cases, even skin cancer, making sun protection an important part of summer care. 

To help protect your cat, apply a small amount of pet-safe, vet-approved sunscreen to the most exposed areas — typically the tips of the ears and the bridge of the nose. Never use human sunscreen, as many formulas contain ingredients that are toxic to cats if licked off. Try to limit your cat’s time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours, and ensure they always have access to shady spots or indoor spaces and fresh water, as it is important for the skin to keep hydrated to face the high temperatures. With a little extra care, you can help keep your cat’s skin healthy and protected all summer long. Cats have sensitive ears and noses, which in summer can be susceptible to sunburn. Cats with white fur are particularly prone to sunburn, so protect them by applying a little smudge of sunscreen to exposed areas.

By following these tips and knowing how to keep your pet's skin in tip top condition, you should have a very happy cat that you can cuddle with no worries. If you’re interesting in learning more about other possible cat skin issues, check out this article on Cat Skin Cancers, next.