Q: My cat has been scratching his head, why could this be?
A: Cats can be itchy on their head region for many reasons including allergies, fleas, and infections. Head scratching in a cat can be very uncomfortable because of their sharp claws and sensitive skin, leading to deep scratches and excoriations. One of the more common causes of head itchiness in cats is an infestation of the ears with parasites called ear mites (Otodectes cynotis). Ear mites are microscopic bugs that cause a lot of discomfort in the ears. Luckily, veterinarians are easily able to treat ear mites as well as other causes of head scratching in cats.
Dr. Jangi Bajwa is a Board certified veterinary dermatologist at VetDERM Clinic in Surrey BC. He is also the dermatology feature editor for Canadian Veterinary Journal. Dr. Bajwa’s special interests include otitis and allergic disease in pets; as well as helping improve quality of life of pets and their families.
