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Cat and dog still scratching themselves even though they have been front-lined regularly

(11 Posts)
Dillonsgranma Wed 19-Oct-11 18:20:39

Can anybody tell me why, my cat in particular, a long haired ragdoll aged 12 and otherwise healthy, , seems to be tormented by sudden itches on her body? She is regularly front lined against fleas, has been de-wormed with drontil plus for cats, and is spotlessly clean! I groom her every day. There is no flea dirt on her anywhere, or any other creatures. eg lice. What on earth is making her so itchy???? My little dog seems quite itchy too...again frontlined and wormed regularly. Strangely, my other cat is completely unaffected, and doesn't itch at all! Has anyone any ideas please?

shysal Wed 19-Oct-11 18:57:58

I found my latest rescue cats scratched a lot and I even found a few scabs around their necks. Frontline made no difference. I have never found a flea, but as a precaution I fumigated the whole house with specialst foggers, which protect from fleas for up to a year. The cats are no longer scratching and seem more contented. Like you I found that my other cats were unaffected.

yogagran Wed 19-Oct-11 22:10:46

Could it be a food related problem. Has the scratching got worse recently or has it always been a problem? Have you changed her diet. We took on a rescue dog recently and he was scratching frequently but it has got a bit better now that I've changed his diet to a different food. (more expensive - need I add!)

Faye Thu 20-Oct-11 07:45:44

I think it might be food related too. My daughter was feeding her two small dogs cat's food and they were always itchy and scratching. When she fed them dog food the scratching stopped. Maybe what you are feeding them is the correct food, but they could be allergic to it.

shysal Thu 20-Oct-11 09:02:00

A vet friend suggested a few drops of olive oil in the cats' food, in case it was dry skin causing them to scratch.

Dillonsgranma Fri 21-Oct-11 18:08:18

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have bought some different food today to see if that does the trick. Funnily enough, the little dog sometimes eats the cat food...not often...but that could be it. I will also try the olive oil tip from Shysal.

crimson Fri 21-Oct-11 18:47:52

Most dogs have no allergy to lamb, for some reason, so I tend to always use a lamb and rice based feed.

nanaberyl Fri 23-Dec-11 14:17:51

Another thing that can affect dogs and cats is sarcoptic mange.Little mites that live under the skin and cause fiery itching. The vets now sell a stronger and more effective drops that cover far more infestations than front line and only cost about £4 more

Pennysue Fri 23-Dec-11 17:26:39

When my cat had this problem the Vet said that carpet cleaner could be the reason - you know the sort you shake and then vac. Do not know if this still applies as it is now some time since we had our cat and I still miss her.

riclorian Fri 23-Dec-11 18:48:53

Maybe they are too hot , or could they be dehydrated ?

Pennysue Fri 23-Dec-11 18:58:17

Sorry should have added - it was the powder - well the problem cleared up when I stopped using it....