VetOnIt clinical notes
The itchy cat: why feline pruritus is so frustrating
Dr. Jason Pieper on why allergic skin disease in cats is hard to pin down, where flea allergy shows up, and why food trials in cats need care.
Updated · VetOnIt
Allergies in cats are hard to tell apart
Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is one of several allergic skin diseases in cats, and apart from flea allergy, the different allergies are very difficult to tell apart clinically. [1]
With flea allergy, miliary dermatitis is the common presentation. When a cat shows that pattern, make sure it is on effective flea control. [1]
Be careful with food trials and quick labels
Food trials in cats are worthwhile but need care: a picky cat that refuses a new diet is at risk of hepatic lipidosis. [1]
Psychogenic alopecia is overdiagnosed in cats; in the study discussed in the lecture, most cats presented for excessive grooming had another cause, including food allergy. [1]
Related lectures
On-demand lecture
Everyday Dermatology: Practical Approaches to Feline Pruritus, Canine Atopy, Otitis & Pyoderma
View on-demand lecture →References
- Dr. Jason Pieper: Everyday Dermatology, Practical Approaches (lecture recording, Nov 15 2025) VetOnIt lecture transcriptLecture source retained by VetOnIt.