What are these scabs on my cat?

Question

I have had my cat for nine years. Recently he has gotten scabs from scratching his back and neck. He doesn't have fleas and he is inside only, any thoughts on what is causing these scabs?

Answer 1

Have you done anything differently in the last few months - change his type of food, change something else that could cause an allergic reaction? You can buy it special dry skin shampoo for it.

Answer 2

My cats are indoors only as well, but fleas still get into the house. Is the cat missing fur in the irritated area? My cat was allergic to the saliva of the flea. Weather your cat goes out or not, some flea seasons are just worse than others. Get your cat some Advantage or Front Line and treat it. Then bath the cat a few days later and use cortisone cream on the affected area. Rub it in well so the cat isn't licking gobs of cream. Use the cream every few days and comb or brush the cat on days in between. I once took my cat to the vet to find out what this was and he gave her a cortisone shot. A long story, a diabetic coma and $6,000 in medical bills, I have a million dollar miracle kitty. Don't make my mistake. Since her survival of the ordeal, we do this ritual every year at this time. There are no fleas in my home, that I see. I haven't been bitten like when you "have" fleas, and I didn't see more than one or two actually on the animals, but they were there.
I live on the third floor. My cats don't go out. They are 11 years old. Go figure.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Seems like you're getting a whirlwind of different answers on here, which means the source could be anything. I'm about to add another one for you to consider.

I noticed that my cat had some minor scabbing around her neck recently (all gone now), and that she likes to scratch that area. I've checked for any possible causes (skin irritations, fleas), but it just seems to be normal scratching. Her rear claws are extremely sharp, and it appears she may be scratching a little too hard and thereby injuring herself.

I'm monitoring her to ensure there's no further scabbing and if so, I'll call my vet just to be sure there's nothing else going on. Just another possibility to consider. When in doubt, though, it's always safe to call your vet for advice.

Answer 4

I'm guessing that some type of allergy has caused these scabs on your cat. If you recently got a new piece of furniture or changed his type of food, then this is probably the case. You should take him to the vet just in case I was wrong (which I quite possibly am) and it turns out to be something more serious.

Answer 5

Have you changed your cats diet? Or using a new carpet deodorizer? Most likely your cat has an allergy. Sometimes they can get new allergies, so he might have developed one of something he's been fine with for years.
I would really look around and see if you put out something new that he might be allergic to, if not alter his diet to something higher grade quality.
Really watch these scabs, if they're getting worse, go to your vet immediately, he might have something worse than just an allergy. Look for his behavior too, if that changes, he's not feeling good. Take him in as soon as you can.
Hope that helps!

Answer 6

It sounds like fleas. They usually scab up around the neck and tail area. Just to make sure I would treat with Frontline or other flea products from your vet. They can get infected.
It could also be bot flies. If they are open you can see little worms inside. I would take him to the vet to make sure. Possible infection could take place.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Are you sure he doesn't have fleas? Did you flea comb him? If not, do that and if you find flea dirt, the cat has fleas. Just one flea can cause an allergy for some cats.
Short of that, visit your vet to get a proper diagnosis.

Answer 8

PSORIASIS! My cat has it. Got some
Skin Irritations & Itch Relief from the health food store. For cats it takes 1/2 capful. Works for Horses, Dogs, cats and birds. Works great.

Answer 9

Give the guy a bath in suds , if you have to put him inside a pillow slip with his head out and dip him slowly in an anti beastie solution , sorry pal , I'm used to wrestling my 8 stone German Shep into washing up liquid , hurt his skin my **** , the dirt flew off him including any of his friends i never met hahahahah then give him a rinse in medicated shampoo and be prepared for no love from them for a week or 2 hahahaha

Answer 10

go to the vet the vet will give you medicine to cure the scab, instead of fleas it might be something worse, lice. i recommend you bring your cat to the vet, they know what is best for animals. i hope that this information helps! Good Luck.