Scabs on Cats: 4 Types (with Pictures) & How to Treat

At my veterinary practice, I’ve seen cats present with patchy areas of fur and scabs on their skin often. It’s a common problem. By examining the affected kitty, I could diagnose and treat the condition based on the scabs’ number, distribution, appearance, and size.

Cats with patchy areas of fur and scabs on their skin can be caused by allergies, ringworm, acne, and ear edge dermatitis.

Scabs are a protective crusty covering which forms over a wound on the skin. These “natural bandaids” form when platelets collect around the edges of broken skin to form a blood clot.

With time and air exposure, the platelets reconfigure to create a mesh across the skin opening. The webbing captures escaping red blood cells. As the blood cells dry, a scab forms. Scabs vary in size, shape, and number. Itching usually accompanies feline scabs and may lead to further skin damage if your cat scratches or grooms the area excessively.

What it is: Flea allergy dermatitis, caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva, is the most common cause of scabs in cats. There are multiple, small, crusty scabs along the back, neck, or head. The area can be inflamed and itchy, which prompts cats to scratch excessively, injuring themselves.

What to do about it: The best treatment for flea allergy dermatitis starts with eliminating the fleas. Treat the environment and your kitty as the parasites can spend 90% of their lives off of your cat. Most flea treatments are topical applied to the back of the neck.

Additionally, you may provide symptomatic relief of itchiness and inflammation with:

Learn more about cat flea scabs.

What it is: Food allergies can cause a miliary dermatitis similar to flea allergies. Kitties with this condition may present with:

Repeated scratching can cause scabbing, particularly around the head, face, neck, and ears.

What to do about it: If your veterinarian diagnoses food allergies, switch her to a hypoallergenic diet. Look for foods that feature limited ingredients and a novel protein such as duck. Your kitty’s doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids or antihistamines to ease itching.

What it is: Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal infection. It begins as a circular, reddened rash and can include patchy hair loss and scaly skin. The circular lesions can affect any part of the body. Due to the infectious nature, ringworm is more prevalent in high-density environments like shelters or catteries.

What to do about it: There are topical creams and sprays available to treat ringworm lesions. Your veterinarian may recommend clipping back your cat’s hair and treating with a medicated shampoo or dip. There are also oral antifungal medications for generalized infections. To prevent reinfection, you’ll also need to treat the environment. Wash all bedding in hot water and hang it in the sun to dry. Wipe all surfaces with a 10% bleach solution. Learn more about ringworm in cats.

What it is: Feline acne is characterized by blackheads in the chin area that may transition to pustules or pimples. As the area becomes inflamed, kitties itch, and their scratching can cause the pustules to erupt. You may notice a greasy crust under the skin. It may be triggered by food allergies, plastic bowls, infections, or a host of other factors.

What to do about it: To treat feline acne, clean the affected area twice a day with witch hazel. You can switch to stainless steel or glass bowls. If the condition persists, talk to your veterinarian about a medical cleanser and topical antibiotics.

What it is: Because feline ears often have less hair than other parts of the body, they’re susceptible to a variety of conditions that can cause scabs. These include allergies, immune-mediated disorders, sunburn, and skin parasites. When this happens, you can see scabs, crusting, and hair loss.

What to do about it: Your treatment approach will depend on the underlying cause. Scabs caused by parasites call for anti-parasitic medications. If the scabs result from immune-mediated issues, your kitty will need immunosuppressive therapy. For sunburn, avoid sun exposure and use topical ointments to help the sores heal.

If your cat has scabs, there are some things you can do to help relieve itching or protect the scabbed area while you’re waiting to see your veterinarian.

Get a topical steroid treatment from your vet’s office or over-the-counter. These can help to reduce inflammation and itching so that your kitty stops itching.

If your kitty continues to scratch, place a bandage over the scabs. This will keep your fur baby from scratching open the scabs or licking the cream.

A cone, or Elizabethan collar, may be used for extreme itchiness from an allergy or other skin condition. The collar will prevent biting or scratching that can cause further injury to the scabbed skin.

If your anti-parasitic treatments and creams don’t help clear up the scabbing and itchiness, your cat may have a food allergy. For recent flare-ups, try removing any new foods or additions to the environment. Slowly remove foods or items one at a time to identify the offending ingredient.

The location of your cat’s scabs can tell you and your veterinarian about the underlying cause of the skin irritation.

Scabs on your cat’s back can be caused by:

When the scabs appear on the neck, it may mean your cat has:

Scabs on the ears may be due to:

Feline injuries from a scratch, bite, or tree branch may leave a superficial injury that scabs over. If you notice a singular scab or a chain of scabs in a line that isn’t oozing pus or won’t stop bleeding, it shouldn’t be a concern.

When you notice scabs on your cat, it’s always wise to contact your veterinarian. Your pal’s doctor should be able to find a diagnosis and recommend treatments after conducting a thorough examination.

Some signs you see can cause extra concern. If you notice any of these signs with your kitty’s scabs, schedule an examination as soon as possible:

If the scabs are bleeding or have pus, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

When you bring your cat to the vet, you shouldn’t have to collect any samples beforehand. Expect the doctor to ask you when the signs appeared and if there have been any recent changes to your cat’s diet or environment. He’ll also want to know if you did anything at home to help relieve inflammation and itching.

Your veterinarian will start by performing a physical exam. The location and appearance of the scabs may provide clues to the cause. Others may require additional diagnostic tests, including:

Once the doctor has a diagnosis, she’ll be able to develop a plan to treat the underlying cause. We discussed some treatments above. Additionally, your doctor may recommend or prescribe:

Below, we offer typical recovery times for different scabs. Remember, however, that no two cats are alike, so the actual recovery periods can vary.

A few conditions can mimic the appearance of scabs on cats.

Dr. Elizabeth Guise (DVM) graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She worked as a veterinarian in private practice for over two years before going to work with the USDA as a veterinary medical officer for 14 years.