Cats - skin condition?

Question

I have 2 black short haired cat. Within the past month or so I have noticed little bumps almost like bites toward the back around the tail area, neck - almost like clusters...I tried to really look at them - som e just look like a zit and some have scabs. This cannot be confortable for my cats. They are indoor cats so have no flee collars...but we also have a dog that goes in and out. Think feel collars would do the trick or is there really something wrong?

Answer 1

Hard to tell without seeing them, but it sounds like what is called milliary dermatitis--little scabby bumps around the neck and can be down the back to the tail area. It is from the cat scratching and is usually from an allergic reaction like from fleas. Definitely use one of the monthly topicals like Advantage or Frontline Plus (safe and non toxic). Flea collars can be toxic to cats. They don't last long and are usually very ineffective. Your dog could be bringing fleas into the house. In the meantime, the cats may need a shot or some medication to clear up the itching and infection, so a trip to the vets is in order.

Answer 2

So... you're using NO flea protection on your cats? Yet your dog goes in and out...
Flea collars are crap. They don't work and you have active poison around their necks all the time.
Products like Advantage and Frontline work well, and I suggest you give it a try.

As for the bumps: I'd take my cat to the vet. It can be something simple like flea dermatitis or it could be an allergy to certain foods. A vet can tell the difference.
(I have a dog that's allergic to corn and she gets scaly bumps on her skin if she eats food with corn in it.)

Answer 3

Your cats have fleas and flea allergies. Use a monthly flea preventative like Frontline or Advantage. Even if your cats don't go outside, your dog does, and so do you, which will bring in the flea eggs. Treat all your animals every month, and within a month or two you will see no more fleas, and all the eggs in your carpet will have hatched and died as well.

Answer 4

You need to take them to your vet to find out what is causing the bumps. If it is fleas, then both your cats and dog are going to need to be treated. There is no flea collar that is safe for use on cats that actually works.

Answer 5

I would say that in most cases like this you are dealing with food allergies. I would also venture to guess that you are feeding dry foods. Canned foods w/o gravy is what is best for your cats. You should also pick a canned food that has no corn and no gluten. Fancy feast is a middle grade food and most have neither corn nor gluten.