• Fleas. This is often the biggest culprit because other pets may bring fleas into the home if they were in your yard. You’ll see your pet scratch excessively and they may have crusty or red skin. You may even see skin lesions.

• Ringworm. Highly contagious, this fungal infection results in a number of problems including inflammation, scaly patches of skin, and the loss of hair. A trip to the veterinarian is in order to treat it, and even then, you’ll want to clean and disinfect everything in the home that has come into contact with your cat.

• Ear Mites. An external parasite may be the cause for your cat’s scratching around the ears. You’ll see coffee ground-like debris in the cat’s ear canals. If it isn’t ear mites, it could be lice, which are equally troublesome.

• Allergies. A number of factors could be making your cat’s allergies worse. For example, it could be the season. They may be allergic to certain types of trees, molds, and grasses. It could also be food-related. Switching out the food that you’re giving them could solve the problem fast.

• Environmental Changes. Household irritants such as chemicals and certain fabrics can irritate your kitty’s skin. If you’ve introduced a new product into the home and notice that your cat is itchy like crazy, it’s a possibility that it may be the cause.

• Yeast Infections. A bacterial infection or yeast infection occurs following other skin disorders. It’s important to treat it right away before it worsens. Your veterinarian will be a good resource for ways to combat the infection.

• Stress. If your cat has undergone stress, he or she may chew or lick on spots of their body as a way of self-soothing. You should try to discourage the behavior before they cause harm to their skin or fur. You can do this by petting them and speaking to them in a calm, reassuring voice.

• Tumors. A tumor may be to blame for cat’s discomfort. Make it point to visit the vet regularly for check-ups. In some cases, the tumors are treatable and non-life-threatening. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Symptoms that could indicate that your cat has a skin condition include licking and scratching of the affected area, redness and inflammation, scabs, scaly patches on your pet’s face and paws, and hair loss. Rashes, swelling, and drainage could also play a role in why your cat is itching like crazy.

Now that you know what makes your kitty’s skin red, inflamed, and sore, you can do what you can to eliminate the culprits from your home as well as their diet. You can also opt to treat their condition naturally by using Corigem Balm or Spray.