by Ginger Kazay

Created on: September 13, 2009

There are many causes of itchy-dry skin in cats; and, the best home remedies are most effective if you know the cause of the problem. There are also home remedies that you can use while you are figuring out the cause, that will bring some relief to your feline friend. But, one word of caution; many home remedies that can be used on people and/or dogs cannot be used safely on cats; so, always double check first for safety.

The primary causes of itchy-dry skin on cats are:

1) Allergy - they can have an allergic reaction to almost anything: grass, pollen, food, plastic food and water dishes, household chemicals, etc. The itchy-dry skin can be limited to a small area or the entire animal.

2) Insect bites - this includes fleas and mites are the two most common causes of itchy skin on cats. The itching can be all over or confined to specific areas like the ears.

3) Diet - just as poor nutrition can affect our skin; it can affect a cat's skin too. When poor nutrition is the cause, all or most of the cat's body is usually dry and itchy.

4) Infections - most of these are fungal or yeast infections; but, bacterial and viral infections can be caused by the cat scratching it's itchy-dry coat trying to relieve the irritation.

5) Sunburn - yes, cats can get sunburned . This usually occurs on the ears and face where the fur is thinner. Sunburn will give the cat itchy-dry skin; but, it is usually temporary and only lasts a few days.

6) Excessive Grooming - cats spend almost half their waking hours grooming themselves. Problems occur when we try to assist them with their grooming or when they are stressed and start grooming almost non-stop when they are awake.

All of these causes of itchy skin require time to correct. Some will require a veterinarian's assistance; but, many can be treated with home remedies and there are home remedies that will at least give the cat some relief while the source of the itchy skin is being discovered and treated.

There are things that you can apply directly to itchy skin:

1) Vitamin E

2) Fish Oil (Salmon Oil)

3) Apple Cider Vinegar (mix 1 pint of vinegar with 3 pints of water)

4) Tea (lukewarm or cool)

5) Aloe Vera (pulp the flesh yourself and smear it on or buy a bottle of aloe vera gel) - apply this sparingly because too much will cause the cat to have diarrhea.

Do not bathe the cat unless you have to, to remove fleas, mites, or excess dander. Try to remove these with a brush or flea comb first. If that fails to bring relief there are medicated

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