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Home > Cats > ​​How Can I Soothe My Cat’s Itchy Skin? 4 Vet-Reviewed Methods

​​How Can I Soothe My Cat’s Itchy Skin? 4 Vet-Reviewed Methods

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Dr. Paola Cuevas

Veterinarian, MVZ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Itchy skin is a common problem among cats for various reasons. The itchiness can be due to allergies, food reactions, flea infestation, skin infections, and problems like mange. Treatment for the cause is necessary, but there are a few things that you can do at home to provide itch relief for your cat.

Here are four home remedies that might help your cat with itchy skin. However, it is always recommended to talk to your vet first to determine the cause and the most effective treatments for their underlying condition.
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The 4 Methods for Soothing a Cat With Itchy Skin

1. Humidify the Air

It is common for cats to get itchy when their skin gets too dry. It is important to determine the root cause of a dry skin problem, which is most effectively done when working with a veterinarian. Whatever the cause of the dry skin, you can provide your cat with relief from itchiness by humidifying a room in your home where your cat spends the most time.

Simply plugging in a humidifier and letting it run throughout the day will help keep your cat’s skin from getting too dry and itchy. The humidifier does not have to be large. A tabletop version should work fine in a bedroom. Just put your cat in the room with a cozy bed and a few toys, then close the door for a few hours. After a few days, you should see improvement in your cat’s skin.


2. Offer a Refreshing Bath

Most cats despise baths, which is why owners tend to consider all other home remedy options for their furry feline friends before ever considering a bath. However, a quick bath using soothing shampoo for dry skin is one of the first options that should be considered when your kitty cat can’t stop scratching their fur and skin. Many over-the-counter soothing and medicated bathing products found at the pet shop and online are designed to relieve irritation and itching in cats.

Keep in mind that these are not always permanent solutions to an itching problem. If the itching is due to a flea infestation, a medicated bath is not enough, and the cat and environment will need to be treated for fleas. If itching is due to an allergic reaction or another health issue, a medicated bath will provide only temporary itching relief until the allergic reaction or health problem is resolved.

So, even if a soothing or medicated bath does help your cat, it is still important to figure out exactly why the itching is happening in the first place.

gray and white ragdoll cat taking a bath
Image By: eeechos, Shutterstock

3. Create an Apple Cider Vinegar Mist

Apple cider vinegar can be used to provide itchiness relief for cats. It can neutralize certain pathogens and help refresh your cat’s skin. Cats are not the biggest fans of apple cider vinegar, but luckily, it is easy to apply to cats without much fuss. Just fill the spray bottle halfway up with apple cider vinegar, then add water to the fill line. Shake the spray bottle and it is ready to use.

Simply spray the ACV solution on your cat’s fur while they sleep or are busy playing. Repeat the spraying process twice a day until your cat’s itching problems improve. Afterward, it is a good idea to keep spraying your cat once or twice a week (at most) to maintain those improvements.


4. Make Grooming a Priority

Cats are known for being excellent self-groomers. However, sometimes, cats do not clean themselves as well as they should. If your cat seems to be a little lazy on the grooming front, the lack of grooming could be contributing to dry and/or itchy skin. The good news is that you can pick up the grooming slack for your cat and hopefully, get the itchiness to go away.

Use a comb to clean your cat’s fur every day. Take time to clean your cat’s ears out with cotton balls a couple of times a week. Two or three times a month, you can lightly dampen a washcloth, and gently rub your cat’s fur with it to mimic licking and get rid of dander. All these actions should help keep your cat cleaner and less itchy, and it should help encourage your cat to clean themselves more often.

cat grooming_Piqsels
Image Credit: Piqsels

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In Conclusion

It can be tough to figure out what is causing a cat to itch, so we recommend consulting with a veterinarian whether these home remedies provide itch relief or not. The root cause of your cat’s itching problem must be addressed if you expect long-term relief success. Hopefully, the home remedies outlined here will make the process of treating your cat for itchy skin less stressful and more effective overall.

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Featured Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay

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