Skin Mites on Cats: Pictures, Symptoms, Causes & How to Treat Them

Skin mites on cats are tiny parasites that live on or under a cat’s skin, causing intense itching, crusting, and hair loss. Though relatively uncommon, their impact can be severe. This guide explains how cats get infected, key symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatment options—including helpful images to spot the problem early.

1. How Cats Catch Skin Mites

Skin mites, including mange mites like Demodex cati and Notoedres cati, are highly contagious. They spread easily in multi-cat homes, shelters, and even via wildlife such as squirrels. When a cat’s immune system is weak, these mites can rapidly increase their numbers and cause noticeable skin problems.

2. Spotting Common Symptoms

Early signs include:

• Persistent scratching, head shaking, or ear irritation

• Redness, thickened or crusty skin—often appearing first in the ears and face

• Hair loss, bumps, and enlarged lymph nodes

• “Walking dandruff” flakes visible on the coat or bedding

Left untreated, symptoms may worsen, possibly spreading over the body and affecting the cat’s appetite, weight, and overall health.

3. Diagnosis: What Vets Do

Diagnosis usually involves:

1. Skin scrapings or tape tests examined under a microscope to detect mites or eggs.

2. Skin biopsy if mites burrow into deeper layers.

Accurate diagnosis ensures the correct mite type is identified—crucial for effective treatment.

4. Treatment Options

Common treatments include:

• Medicated dips (lime sulfur) weekly until negative skin tests—typically 4–8 weeks

• Prescription medications like ivermectin or selamectin, given orally or by injection

• Specific ear medications if ear mites are involved

All cats in contact with the infected cat and shared bedding must be treated as well to prevent reinfection.

5. Recovery & Prevention

With prompt treatment, most cats recover fully. However, mites are contagious, even to dogs, rabbits, or humans in rare cases. To protect your pet:

• Use regular parasite preventatives

• Isolate infected cats until fully cleared

• Clean bedding and living areas weekly

• Ensure your cat has a strong diet and routine vet checkups

Conclusion & What You Should Do Next

Mites on cats skin may be small, but they can cause major discomfort. If your cat is scratching excessively or has bald patches, contact your vet right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can save your cat from severe irritation and health issues.

Want to learn more about feline skin care? Check out our article on cat skin care tips to explore additional ways to keep your cat healthy and happy.