Managing Cat Skin Problems & Conditions
Cat owners, especially those in multi-cat households, have to deal with their share of cat skin problems. That often means rushing to the vet or the internet searching for relief for your furbabies. There are so many kinds of cat skin disorders and treatments for them. It would be great if you had one 'go-to' product that would bring relief. In this article, we'll discuss several common cat skin problems, home remedies, and Clireon's own animal wound care products.
The Most Common Cat Skin Conditions
Before that expensive trip to the vet, let's look at the most common cat skin conditions and what causes them. Then, we'll learn what you can do to bring your cat some relief.
Ear Mites
Otherwise known as Otodectes cynotis to vets, ear mites are tough little guys who love the ear canal but are also found on a cat’s skin. Ear mites are highly contagious, so if your cat has been exposed to other cats with ear mites, they just may get ear mites as well. Ear mites are difficult to see, but will appear as white specks moving against a dark background.
Ticks And Fleas
Prevention is the best tool to ward them off, but ticks and fleas are persistent. If your cat does get ticks or fleas, they can cause itching, redness, or other cat skin issues. They can also carry diseases, so you will want to remove them ASAP. In addition, some cats are allergic to their saliva and the extreme itching can lead to excessive scratching, biting, hair loss and other cat skin conditions.
Mange
One of the most common inflammatory cat skin diseases is caused by various mites burrowing into the skin. Heavy scratching, hair loss (especially around the face, eyelids, back and neck) and redness are common indicators. This can lead to one of the more difficult cat skin conditions, scabs, which are often left where the hair used to be.
Environmental Allergies
A cat, like a human, comes into contact with allergens from its environment. When you come in from the outside, you carry allergens on your clothes and skin. To a house cat, this is primary contact. Whatever the allergen is, your cat will tend to over-groom and excessively scratch. Biting can lead to patchy fur which is evident around the joints where the hair is less dense.
Feline Acne
Not just for teens, cats can get acne too, which is often found under their chins or tails. Appearing as blackheads, the chin and lips can swell and lead to scratching and irritation. One of the harder cat skin conditions to diagnose, it is thought to be caused by environmental allergies. Another possible cause is unclean food bowls; a cat rubs its chin and lips inside its dirty bowl, and the grease or bacteria clogs its pores. So, wash food and water bowls frequently. Don't overlook stress as another potential factor.
Abscesses Or Wounds
Some cat skin problems are caused by your cat's own actions, such as fighting. Cats are instinctively territorial, and in a multi-cat household, fights and roughhouse play are likely to ensue. Sometimes a cat gets an open wound and bacteria gets into the wound. Swelling and pus-filled abscesses are an indication of an infection. A cat that is hurt will often hide and not eat. If you pay close attention to their behavior, your cat may reveal that they're sore in a particular area. Cat wound care is important as a first step in preventing bacterial infections or other cat skin problems.
Fungal Infections
That raised red circle on your cat's skin could be ringworm. This is one of the more serious cat skin conditions. Hair loss from scratching and biting is common. Ringworm is also highly contagious to humans, so you don't want to mess around with this one. Get to the vet.
Alopecia From Stress
Some kitties are always stressed about something. When stressed, a cat may groom excessively, causing hair loss down the abdomen and back, then sleep more than normal (is that possible?) and present a low mood with no interest in play.
Endocrine Dermatosis
Dandruff or itchy, dry fur and hair loss can be a signal there's a deeper issue. There could be an allergen or hormonal imbalance behind it. But cat skin problems, even if not serious in nature, need to be treated. And the cat needs relief — as does your furniture.
Stud Tail
Some cat skin conditions are a bit odd. This one is caused by glands secreting too much oil, leaving a foul-smelling and waxy substance at the end of its tail. More feline acne can appear around it, and the fur often becomes matted.
The Most Common Cat Skin Conditions
Seeing your feline friend in distress is difficult for any pet owner, and cat skin problems crop up frequently with some animals. Is there a gel or wound spray for cats that could help you manage some of these issues? There is, and it contains an all-natural antimicrobial agent called Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI).
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) helps manage cuts, scrapes, burns, and other cat skin problems. HOCl is produced by mammals' white blood cells to fight bacteria and viruses when a wound occurs. Once HOCI touches the skin, this non-toxic, steroid- and antibiotic-free solution reacts to any bacteria, germs, or other harmful organic matter like viruses. And kills them. Then it deactivates, so no stressful (for the cat) rinsing is needed. Here's what Hypochlorous Acid can do for your kitty:
- Kills Bacteria and Viruses: HOCI helps prevent infection and reduces inflammation by destroying bacteria, germs, and viruses. It penetrates the cellular wall of the infecting agent and annihilates the intruder from the inside.
- Reduces Inflammation and Itching: Your cat's scratching and biting at the irritated skin only makes things worse. It can lead to a more serious infection. HOCI destroys the imbalance of microorganisms in the biofilm — think of it as a force field protecting them — and reduces their growth. HOCI helps soothes the affected area.
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No Need to Rinse: Cats don't enjoy being wet, and HOCI doesn't need to be rinsed off with water that could easily stress the animal. Plus, Hypochlorous Acid, being a natural antimicrobial agent, is biodegradable and turns to harmless saline once it deactivates.
In addition to these wonderful benefits, HOCI is a common component of veterinary care products.
How Can Clireon Help Relieve Cat Skin Conditions?
By killing bacteria and other infecting agents, a product containing Hypochlorous Acid as it’s active ingredient will relieve skin conditions and promote healing. Clireon cat wound spray or gel is a trusted wound care product for use on cuts, sores, post-surgical sites and other cat skin problems. The HOCI in Clireon can help you manage your cat’s skin irritations and is:
- Non-Toxic
- Safe for Use Around the Face
- Won’t Sting or Burn
- All-Natural and Steroid-Free
- Safe For Use On Small to Large Animals
- Supports Healing
- Environmentally Friendly
How To Use Clireon For Relief Or Wound Care
Using Clireon gel or spray is straightforward and simple. Here is a quick reference list for its use on your kitty:
- First, remove hair from the wounded area.
- Apply Clireon directly on the wound site until the wound is clean.
- If applying a dressing, saturate the material with Clireon, then apply directly to the wound. Do this 1-5 times per day. If dressing sticks to the wound when changing, saturate sticking material with more Clireon and repeat.
- For ears: wipe with a gauze pad coated with Clireon.
- For eyes: spray Clireon onto a cotton ball and wipe or dab.
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For skin folds: soak a cotton ball with Clireon and wipe to remove contaminants.
If the condition doesn't improve within 7 days, or a fever accompanies the condition, we recommend seeing your veterinarian.
Cat Skin Problems Deserve Clireon
Cat skin problems can be anything from mild irritations to serious wounds or diseases. But one thing is certain: your cat will try to scratch and bite its way to relief and cause more harm than good. Wouldn't it be better to use a trusted all-natural antibacterial agent such as Hypochlorous Acid? Yes! And Clireon harnesses the power of HOCI to provide relief from irritation caused by minor wounds and other cat skin conditions. Your pet's welfare is our #1 priority, and animal lovers trust Clireon. For help in managing many cat skin issues, turn to Clireon Wound and Skin Care today!