Loading cart...
£
United States
$
The Pet Health Hub by YuMOVE
Keep your pet active and happy with expert advice from the UK's no.1 vet-recommended joint supplement brand* - your go-to source for mobility, health and wellbeing tips.
No results showing
Filter by
4 min read
Common skin problems in cats
Cats are widely known for their grace, elegance, and poise – that regal way they walk through the home surveying their domain, and (at least for many breeds) their luscious and immaculate coats. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can cause a cat’s coat to lose some of its majestic lustre, and that can affect the health of their skin. Here's a look at some of the common causes of skin problems in cats, how you can spot them as they’re developing and what you should do if you notice the tell-tale signs. Acne Far from just being a human condition, acne is something that can affect our cats, too – although it manifests somewhat differently in them. Feline acne isn’t fully understood, but it may occur due to disorders of the skin tissue, or as a result of a suppressed immune system. This can result in blackheads, red bumps and infected pimple-like lesions. Cats are most likely to have acne around the chin area, with the acne itself looking like black dots, red bumps, or dirt on their chin. It’s possible for a cat to experience just one bout of acne, or for it to be a chronic and recurring condition. Acne can affect both male and female cats regardless of whether they’ve been spayed or neutered, and can occur at any age. It’s important that you never scratch or pick at your cat’s acne. Instead, take them to the vet. Your vet will be able to prescribe treatment – which may include antibiotics and medicated shampoo – and can advise you on how to help keep your cat’s skin healthy with maintenance cleanings and treatments. Mange (parasitic mites) Mange causes cats to experience chronic skin itching and irritation, along with flaking, inflammation, and hair loss. But it’s not actually a disease. In fact, it’s caused by parasitic mites that infest your cat’s skin. Mange isn’t very common in cats, but it can be highly contagious and debilitating, so if you suspect that your cat may be affected, it’s important to get them seen to by a vet as soon as possible. Although not the same as mange, other parasites such as fleas and ticks can cause your cat’s skin to become irritated and may cause them to scratch excessively and overgroom. It’s also worth mentioning that flea allergies in cats can result in flea bites becoming more irritating and leading to more inflammation than would normally occur. Allergies Although allergies may also seem like the kinds of things only humans have to worry about, the fact of the matter is that they can affect our animal companions too, and cats are certainly no exception. Cats can experience a range of different allergies, from allergies to environmental triggers – such as pollen, grass and certain plants, mould, mildew, and dust – to allergies to foods like beef, chicken, fish, and dairy – and even allergies to flea bites. While cats can display many different symptoms in response to allergies, their fur and skin are very often affected. Cat allergy symptoms that affect the skin can include… Inflamed and itchy skin Lost fur and skin irritation due to over-grooming Skin infections Talking to your vet about the appropriate cat allergy treatment can help to alleviate these symptoms, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment. Cat skin & moulting care oil can always provide support for your cats skin. Overgrooming One of the most iconic of all cat behaviours is their tendency to groom themselves meticulously, by licking, pawing at and rubbing their coats. Normally, this helps to keep them clean and healthy – but if something causes them to overgroom, they can end up irritating their skin and losing fur or exacerbating existing skin irritation. Overgrooming commonly occurs in response to itching and skin irritation (often because of allergies), but your cat may also overgroom as a coping mechanism for stress. If your cat appears to be grooming themselves excessively, talk to your vet. They can evaluate the cause of your cat’s overgrooming, advise on the best steps to investigate any underlying issues and prescribe medication if necessary. What should you do if your cat has a skin problem? The answer to this question – as with every pet health question – is to consult with your vet as soon as possible and to follow their recommendations. You can also read our guide on skincare tips for older cats. Your vet will be able to inspect your cat and determine which skin condition they’re experiencing and can pinpoint the underlying causes. From there, they’ll be able to prescribe the right treatment to help your cat get back to living their best life. They’ll also be able to advise you on the right steps to take at home to help support your cat during their recovery, and to lessen the risk of future issues.
5 min read
Is your cat itchy? Signs, causes and how to help them
Learn about why your cat might be itchy, what the underlying causes are, and what you can do to help.
2 min read
YuMOVE Skin and Coat Care for Moulting Cats – what’s in it?
Our ingredients breakdown for Cat Skin & Coat Care
4 min read
Common cat allergies and how to spot them
Hay fever and allergies of all sorts are common concerns among us humans. And, unfortunately, it turns out that our feline friends can also end up with a range of different allergic symptoms when they’re in contact with something they shouldn’t be. If your cat seems to be a bit on the irritable side, cat allergens may be playing a role – and that means it’s time for you, as their human helper, to learn how to spot cat allergy symptoms and look into solutions. What is your cat likely to be allergic to? Much like with people, cats can be allergic to a number of different things, ranging from airborne particles found in the environment, to foods and parasites. Here are some of the more common cat allergies to be aware of… Environmental allergens Environmental allergens can include pollen, grasses, mould, mildew, dust and various plants which your cat is likely to encounter in their surroundings – whether they’re an indoor cat, or an outdoor one. Unfortunately, just like us, our cats can develop hay fever-like allergies – with symptoms flaring up during times of high pollen count, for example. Symptoms of environmental allergies in your cat can include: Itchy skin in cats Heavy or fast breathing Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing Itchy and runny eyes Swollen paws Snoring Being aware of which environmental factors trigger your cat’s allergies is important – as is taking basic precautions to limit their exposure to those triggers by doing things like keeping them indoors with the windows closed on days when pollen counts are high. How are environmental allergies diagnosed? Environmental allergies in cats are usually diagnosed in one of two ways – through intradermal skin testing, or allergy blood testing. Intradermal skin testing is generally considered the most accurate and effective form of testing, but it usually requires your cat to be sedated and for large areas of your cat’s coat to be shaved so that the skin can be observed along with any allergic skin reactions. Allergy blood testing only requires a blood sample, so can usually be done conscious. Speak to your vet about getting your cat allergy tested and they’ll be able to guide and advise you on the best approach for your feline friend. Food allergens According to a study from Cornell University, food allergies are the third most common category of feline allergy, with only allergies to flea bites and inhaled substances being more common. But what sorts of foods can be allergy triggers for a cat? Common culprits include: Beef Chicken Fish Dairy It’s important to be aware that your cat can develop food allergies throughout their life, to foods that weren’t previously an issue. But a cat can’t develop a food allergy to a food they’ve never consumed. The best thing to do if you suspect a food allergy is to closely monitor your cat and to watch out for any signs of irritation following feeding certain foods or ingredients. As always, you should consult with your vet immediately if you notice any of the tell-tale signs of a food allergy, including: Chronic itching and skin irritation Overgrooming (causing further skin irritation and hair loss) Recurring infections of the skin and ears Vomiting Diarrhoea How are food allergies diagnosed? When your vet is investigating whether your cat has a particular food allergy, they will generally put your cat on an elimination trial diet. This involves only feeding them foods that don’t contain any protein sources they’ve previously been exposed to. If your cat’s symptoms clear up during the period of the elimination diet, it’s a sign that something they were previously eating could have been causing them to have an allergic reaction. The next step after the elimination diet is a ‘food challenge,’ where your vet might recommend reintroducing your cat’s old food in a controlled way, while carefully monitoring them to see whether allergic symptoms return. This process of testing is important to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms, and to pinpoint the food allergy accurately. Fleas Flea allergies are very common allergies found in cats. They happen as a result of an allergic reaction to proteins found in fleas’ saliva and mean that your cat will have a much stronger response to flea bites than non-allergic cats. A normal reaction to a flea bite on a cat’s skin will be a minor irritation. For cats who are allergic, however, reactions to being bitten can include intense itching and scratching – to the point of hair loss, sores, and secondary bacterial infections. If you suspect your cat of having a flea allergic reaction, we recommend seeing your vet as soon as possible. They’ll be able to properly inspect your cat, provide a flea-removal treatment, and give you advice on how best to support your cat until they feel better. This might include medication and/or a buster collar. What to do if your cat has allergies If you suspect that your cat has allergies, the first thing to do is to consult with your vet. They’ll advise you on the next steps to take and can arrange for your cat to be allergy tested. They may also prescribe forms of cat allergy treatment such as medicated shampoos, steroids, or immunomodulating medicines – as well as providing advice on limiting exposure to allergens. Read more about the most common skin problems in cats.
...
Loading more articles...