Owning a cat comes with the responsibility of needing to bring them to a vet for routine care, shots, and exams. While you may have vet visits already scheduled to take place twice a year or annually, you may need to make an appointment to visit the vet if you notice that your cat has been itching themselves a lot. If the amount of itching has increased lately, you'll benefit by scheduling a visit to the vet since they can help with any one of the following scenarios and help your cat get the relief they deserve.

Test if Your Cat Has Food Allergies

One of the most common reasons why your cat may be itching themselves more often than normal is due to them developing a food allergy. This can especially be the case if you've recently switched foods or your cat has simply gotten older and have developed an allergy with time.

Since common culprits of food allergies include everything from wheat gluten to beef, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what may be the cause of food allergies. With this in mind, you'll need to schedule a vet visit so that they can test for food allergies by narrowing down the ingredients that your cat eats with a prescription for allergy-safe cat food.

Check for Any Signs of Ticks or Fleas

For cats that have suddenly begun scratching themselves regularly, the source can be as simple as ticks or fleas. While this is more common in cats that are allowed outside, fleas or ticks can be brought in on your clothing or from other pets, such as your dog after a walk. You can take a close look for any signs of fleas or ticks on your own or you can rely on the professional insight of a vet and pick up some quality tick or flea medicine to help your cat get rid of these pests.

Take a Look for Any Signs of Injuries

Cats cannot easily share when they are injured, meaning that itching could be a result of them being injured and not being able to display it in any other way. If your cat is fixated on a specific area, such as on their leg or paw, it could be due to them getting injured. Whether your cat has a possible splinter or a sprain, a vet can take a closer look and make an accurate diagnosis.

If you're worried that your cat has suddenly become more itchy, a vet visit can be the perfect opportunity to discover what's wrong and how your cat can feel better again. Contact a local animal hospital to learn more.

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