What Is Your Pet's Skin Trying To Tell You?
Your pet can't tell you that their skin is itchy, irritated or uncomfortable, but they can certainly give you clues. Sometimes those clues are easy to spot. Other times, they're hidden beneath a layer of fur. One of the most obvious signs is scratching, but itchy pets don't always scratch. They may lick, chew or bite at certain areas, rub themselves against furniture or groom themselves more than usual. Cats in particular can be very good at hiding signs of discomfort, so changes in their normal behaviour can be worth noticing. Then there are changes you can see. Redness, scabs, unusual bumps, flaky skin, a greasy coat or areas where the hair is becoming thinner can all indicate that something isn't quite right. There are many possible causes, including parasites, allergies, infections and other skin conditions, so the appearance alone doesn't tell us exactly what is happening. Fleas are a good example. You might not actually see a flea, but a sensitive pe...