Mange in cats: how to spot the signs

What is mange in cats? 

Mange is a skin condition caused by mites under your cat’s skin and in the hair follicles. It can be extremely uncomfortable, causing intense itchiness, skin inflammation and hair loss, and skin can become infected if left untreated. 

Thankfully, mange in cats is rare in the UK and they usually recover well if they do get infected. But, some forms are highly contagious and can easily spread to other pets and humans, so you’ll want to get rid of the mites as quickly as possible. Your vet will be able to recommend the most effective treatment.

Key points

• Mange in cats is caused by mites, leading to intense itching, hair loss, and skin irritation. 
• If left untreated, it can lead to skin infections.
• Mange is rare but can be highly contagious and spread between animals.
• Your vet will recommend treatment such as topical treatments, oral medications, or injections.
• Prevention includes regular flea and tick treatments, grooming, and disinfecting your home to prevent mite infestations. 

Types of mange in cats 

Different mites cause different types of mange in cats: 

Ear mites (otodectic mange): the most common mite condition in cats. As the name implies, these mites live in the cat’s ear canal, causing irritation, inflammation and secondary ear infections.

Canine scabies (sarcoptic mange): caused by the sarcoptes mite which burrows into your cat’s skin to lay eggs. It is very contagious and can be passed to cats through direct contact with infected dogs or very rarely from other animals like foxes. 

Feline scabies (notoedric mange): comes from an infestation of Notoedres cati mites and causes itching often around the face. Infected cats can easily pass it on to other cats and other animals. It is very rare in the UK. 

Walking dandruff (Cheyletiellosis): these larger mites get their name from the appearance of the mites and may look like salt coming off your cat or moving flakes of dandruff. 

Demodectic mange: comes from two species of demodex mite - D. cati and D. gatoi. These microscopic mites live in your cat’s skin all the time and don’t normally cause any problems. However, they can cause irritation if your cat has an underlying illness. D. gatoi is contagious while D. cati can’t be passed on to other animals or humans.

Causes of mange in cats

Cats most commonly get mange from direct contact with another infected cat. The mites can also be found in the environment, or transferred from infected items like bedding and brushes. Certain types of mite can be passed from dogs to cats, so other pets in your home should be checked over, even if only one shows signs of mange.

Signs of mange in cats

Most mites that cause mange are tiny and won’t be visible on your cat’s skin or fur. Their behaviour and the condition of their skin are better indicators of mite infestations. 

Signs to look out for include:

• Intense itchiness (causing scratching or licking)
• Patches of hair loss
• Crusty or scaly bumps on the skin
• Red, weeping skin
• Thickened skin
• Excessive earwax and bad smell from the ears (with feline otodectes)

Keep in mind that some of these symptoms could also signify other skin problems like fleas or ringworm, which are more common than mange. Your vet will pinpoint the exact cause after examining your cat in person.

What to do if you think your cat has mange

It’s best to arrange an appointment with your vet as soon as you notice signs of mange so they can check your cat over and diagnose the problem before starting appropriate treatment. They will want to make sure mange is the cause of their symptoms, rather than more common issues like fleas or ringworm. 

They will examine your cat, checking for signs of mites and the condition of their skin. Other steps they might take could include taking a skin scraping and a blood test. Even if they don’t find any mites on your cat, your vet might still suggest treatment for mange based on their other symptoms.

Can you treat mange without going to the vet?

There are several reasons why taking your cat to the vet is the best approach for treating mange. Are you sure that your cat’s symptoms are caused by mange and not another skin condition? Your vet can give you a proper diagnosis so they receive the right treatment, as well as relieve pain and treat any secondary conditions. Plus, the most effective treatments for mange will usually need a prescription from your vet anyway. So it’s best not to delay making an appointment.

Treatment for mange in cats

Your vet will decide on the best treatment option depending on your cat’s condition and symptoms. They will treat any pain and underlying issues and prescribe effective treatment to kill the mites. Topical treatments like spot-on, oral medication and injections are some of the methods your vet might opt for. 

Depending on the type of mange, it can take several rounds of treatment over the course of a few weeks to eliminate all mites and prevent re-infection. You might also need to treat other pets and disinfect your home to make sure the cycle doesn’t start again.  

Can fleas cause mange in cats?

While they can produce similar symptoms, fleas don’t cause mange. Flea infestations in cats are much more common than mange. If your cat is showing signs of either problem your vet will be able to identify the cause and prescribe the most suitable treatment. 

Can humans catch mange from cats?

Some types of mange can be passed from infected cats to humans and cause skin irritation.
This is rare, but it’s worth speaking to your vet about keeping yourself protected from any animals with mange in your home, and if you’re concerned get in touch with your own doctor.

Can indoor cats get mange?

While it’s rare, even cats that have never been outside can suffer from mange if other cats or dogs come into their home.

Can you touch a cat with mange?

As some types of mange are contagious to humans, it’s a good idea to get advice from your vet on touching and petting your cat while they have mange. They might suggest wearing gloves and washing your hands after contact.

How to prevent mange in cats

The best way to avoid mange is to keep your cat’s flea and tick treatment up to date. Your vet can give you advice on the best options available, and Pet Health Club members even get a discount on regular treatment. Never give you cat flea and tick medication meant for dogs as they can be toxic to cats. Regular grooming will help you identify any issues and routine cleaning of their areas and items in your home can help avoid future mite infestations.

Academic research on mange in cats 

Examples of sarcoptic mange between animals

In this study of four cats with sarcoptic mange in Australia, two lived in areas where foxes were often seen, one lived with a dog that had recently been diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, and one cat lived with a dog that had been treated for sarcoptic mange seven months previously.

Need help and advice on mange in cats?

For expert advice on how to treat mange in cats, contact your local vet.

Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.

Sources

MSD Manual - Mite Infestation (Mange, Acariasis, Scabies) of Cats

World Small Animal Veterinary Association - Demodicosis in Dogs and Cats: How to Diagnose and Treat It Successfully

Veterinary Medicine and Science - Feline sarcoptic mange in Poland: A case series of three cats