Itchy Cats Dubai: Causes, Treatment & Prevention Guide UAE

What to do if your cat is itchy

Appropriate measures depend on the severity of the symptoms.

Mild itching: The itch occurs infrequently and can often be managed at home with veterinary guidance:

• Skin supplements and dietary modifications
• Parasite control programmes suitable for year-round use
• Topical treatments and gentle medicated products
• Environmental modifications for Dubai’s conditions

Moderate or severe itching: Your cat constantly scratches, licks or overgrooms, interrupting normal activities like eating or sleeping:

• Requires immediate veterinary attention
• Often requires prescription medications
• May need specialised diagnostic testing
• Professional treatment plans are essential

Contact your local vet immediately if your cat shows signs of persistent itchy skin, as the warm, humid conditions in Dubai can accelerate skin damage and secondary infections.

The most common causes of itching in cats

Many different factors can cause your cat to itch, with some being particularly relevant in Dubai’s environment.

Allergies

Allergies remain the most common cause of itching in cats and include several types:

• Flea allergy dermatitis: skin reactions from flea bites; fleas are active year-round in Dubai
• Food allergies: reactions to proteins like chicken or beef
• Feline atopy: environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites or pollutants; particularly relevant in Dubai due to construction dust and sealed indoor environments
• Contact allergic reactions: sudden appearance of hives or bumps, often starting around the face
• Acute allergic reactions: sudden onset, often with unknown triggers

Parasites

Dubai’s warm climate supports continuous parasite activity:

• Fleas: active throughout the year, affecting both indoor and outdoor cats
• Mites: including Demodex and Sarcoptes (mange), ear mites, and harvest mites
• Regular year-round parasite prevention is essential in Dubai’s climate

Skin infections

Often secondary to allergies or parasites, these develop rapidly in humid conditions:

• Bacterial, yeast, or fungal infections
• Ear disease: frequently related to allergies and moisture retention from air conditioning
• Ringworm: fungal infections that thrive in warm, humid environments

Other causes

• Pain: localised discomfort causing an appearance of itch as cats chew or lick specific areas affected
• Wounds or injuries: include cat bite abscesses and are more common in outdoor cats
• Stress: a significant cause of overgrooming, often triggered by changes in your cat’s routine or environment

When to worry about your itchy cat

Call your nearest emergency vet if:

• Your cat develops breathing difficulties alongside a sudden allergic reaction

Seek prompt veterinary attention if:

• Your cat constantly itches throughout the day
• Severe or widespread skin lesions develop
• Your cat appears unwell, alongside the itching

At Modern Vet, our team is available 24 hours a day to deliver expert veterinary care whenever your pet needs it.

How to prevent itchy skin in your cat

Preventing skin problems in Dubai requires consistent care and environmental awareness:

• Use regular parasite control year-round: covering fleas, mites, ticks, worms
• Clean bedding, collars, and bowls regularly to reduce allergen accumulation
• Maintain indoor air quality through regular air conditioning filter cleaning and dust reduction
• Ensure regular brushing and skin checks to remove surface irritants and identify problems early
• Feed a high-quality, complete nutrition with foods containing omega oils for skin health
• Consider skin supplements with omega oils for cats prone to skin problems
• Use dust mite sprays in homes where air conditioning creates ideal conditions
• Stick to consistent daily routines for your cat to minimise stress wherever possible
• Provide adequate environmental enrichment to reduce anxiety and overgrooming behaviours

How to recognise signs of itchy skin

Cats often hide signs of discomfort, so it takes careful observation. Look for behaviours such as excessive scratching, chewing, biting, rubbing, and licking.

Visible signs you may notice:

• Hair loss or bald patches from overgrooming
• Pink, red or darkened skin
• Scabs, rashes, hives or blisters
• Greasy skin, dandruff and flakes
• Lumps and swellings
• Bleeding skin from self-trauma

‘Eosinophilic’ reaction:

• A swollen lip or chin
• Eosinophilic plaque: red, thickened, painful and itchy area of skin that is commonly found on the thighs, face and neck
• Eosinophilic granuloma: a weepy and swollen area of skin that is common on the thigh, paws and in the mouth

Commonly-affected parts of the body:

• Ears: redness, discharge, odour, head shaking
• Eyes: weeping, redness, squinting
• Face and neck: swelling, sores, excessive grooming

Stress-related signs include:

• Changes in toileting habits: frequent trips to the litter tray, house soiling, straining
• Lethargy and withdrawal
• Scruffy or matted coat
• Weight loss

Additional signs like vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy alongside itching require prompt veterinary attention.

How to help an itchy cat at home

Always seek veterinary advice before beginning home treatments. Cats can be sensitive to many products that are safe for other animals.

General supportive care:

• Use protective collars or medical suits to prevent self-trauma
• Apply veterinary-approved medicated shampoos, wipes or gels specifically formulated for cats
• Maintain up-to-date parasite control programmes
• Feed a high-quality diet designed to support skin health

For suspected allergies:

• Diet trials: use a new or hydrolysed (stripped of allergens) protein diet for 6-8 weeks
• Environmental management: reduce dust exposure, maintain clean living spaces, use air purifiers if needed

For stress-related issues:

• Use calming supplements and pheromone diffusers
• Maintain consistent routines and provide adequate hiding spaces
• Ensure adequate resources for all pets in the household, including food, feeding bowls, quiet spaces, and an appropriate number of litter trays
• Provide environmental enrichment: toys and climbing areas
• Interactive play: spending time with your feline friend

Avoid unproven remedies like olive oil or apple cider vinegar without veterinary guidance. These may be harmful to cats.

How vets treat itchy skin in cats

Your vet will carry out a thorough history and full examination of your cat before deciding on treatment.

Prescription medications:

• Anti-itch medications
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy tailored to environmental allergens
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Targeted parasite treatments
• Antibiotics in various forms
• Antifungal medications
• Anxiety medications for stress-related conditions

Your vet may advise further tests for moderate and severe cases or those who respond poorly to simple treatment:

• Skin scrapes, hair plucks and biopsies
• Allergy testing: intradermal skin tests or blood tests
• Food elimination trials
• Bacterial and fungal cultures
• Blood and urine analysis to assess general health and organ function
• Imaging, if pain is suspected

Are some cats more at risk of itchy skin?

Certain factors increase susceptibility to skin conditions.

Stress-related conditions affect:

• Rescue cats and those in multi-cat households
• Cats experiencing frequent routine changes: common in Dubai’s expatriate community
• Indoor cats in sealed, air-conditioned environments

Flea problems commonly affect:

• Any cat, but outdoor cats face a higher risk
• Indoor cats can still be affected through owner contact or other pets

General risk factors:

• Male unneutered outdoor cats: higher risk of bite abscesses
• Cats with weakened immune systems: elderly, very young or chronically ill cats
• Long-haired breeds: may be prone to matting and skin problems in humid conditions

Unlike dogs, cats show no strong breed predisposition to specific allergic conditions, though individual sensitivities vary.

Other causes of itching in cats

Additional factors that may cause itching include

• Anal gland disease
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Arthritis, affecting grooming ability
• Conjunctivitis
• Certain autoimmune conditions.

Dubai’s environmental stress factors, including frequent relocations, temperature fluctuations, and urban pollution, may contribute to stress-related skin problems in sensitive cats.

Worried if your cat has itchy skin? Are they constantly scratching, licking or overgrooming? Book a checkup or emergency appointment today at Modern Vet Hospital in Dubai. Our experienced veterinary team provides expert diagnostics, effective treatments, and ongoing care to relieve discomfort and address the root cause of skin problems. From allergy testing and parasite control to managing long-term skin conditions, Modern Vet Hospital is your trusted clinic in Dubai for compassionate, thorough care tailored to your cat’s needs.