Scabies in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Scabies is a common skin disease in cats, caused by tiny mites that infect the skin and lead to intense itching. If left untreated, scabies can spread throughout the cat’s body and may even be transmitted to other animals and humans.

Causes of Scabies in Cats

Scabies in cats is caused by mites such as Sarcoptes scabiei or Notoedres cati. These mites burrow into the cat’s skin, causing irritation and inflammation. Scabies often affects cats with weakened immune systems, such as kittens, elderly cats, or cats experiencing stress and malnutrition.

How to Treat Scabies in Cats

Treating scabies in cats requires a comprehensive approach to ensure all mites are eliminated. Some steps include:

1. Consult a Veterinarian. Before starting treatment, take your cat to the vet to confirm a scabies diagnosis. The vet may perform a skin examination and microscopic tests to identify the mites causing the infection.
2. Use of Antimite Medications
   • Veterinarians typically prescribe antiparasitic medications such as ivermectin, selamectin, or moxidectin, which can be administered as injections, tablets, or spot-on drops.
   • Shampoos or ointments containing antiparasitic ingredients can also help eliminate mites on the cat’s skin.
3. Maintain a Clean Environment
   • Clean the cat’s bedding, cage, and equipment with disinfectant to eliminate any lingering mites.
   • Wash all cat supplies in hot water to kill any remaining mite eggs or larvae.
4. Isolate the Infected Cat. Since scabies is highly contagious, the infected cat should be isolated from other cats until fully recovered.
5. Boost the Cat’s Immune System
   • Provide high-quality food to strengthen the cat’s immune system.
   • Ensure the cat receives sufficient vitamins and minerals.

Preventing Scabies in Cats

Some ways to prevent scabies in cats include:

• Regularly checking the cat’s skin and coat health.
• Keeping the cat’s living environment clean.
• Avoiding contact with infected cats.
• Administering antiparasitic medication regularly as advised by the veterinarian.

Read Also : 4 Cara Mudah Mengetahui Usia Kitten

With proper treatment, scabies in cats can be cured and prevented from recurring. If your cat shows symptoms of scabies, consult your veterinarian immediately for appropriate treatment.

Reference : 

Penyakit Scabies pada Kucing. (n.d.). Purina Indonesia. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.purina.co.id/artikel/kucing/kesehatan/penyakit-scabies 

 Scabies pada Kucing, Gejala dan Cara Pengobatannya. (n.d.). Pawlyclinic. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.pawlyclinic.co.id/blog/scabies-pada-kucing 

Purwoko, S. A. (2023, October 2). Scabies Kucing: Gejala, Penyebab, Pengobatan, dll. Hello Sehat. https://hellosehat.com/sehat/informasi-kesehatan/scabies-kucing

Related Post