Poll: How often do cats scratch themselves?

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M.C. Mullen - 11 Aug 2005 12:17 GMT

I'm really wondering about my two kittens: They scratch themselves a lot,
let's say about every 15 minutes. Is that normal?
They can't have fleas, I had them treated. Ear mites: a definite NO! Food
allergy: they get good food, can't really be it. Dry skin: maybe, but I
haven't bathed them. WHY do they scratch so much? It's usually at their
cheeks/chin.

Carola

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Beth - 11 Aug 2005 14:04 GMT

> I'm really wondering about my two kittens: They scratch themselves a lot,
> let's say about every 15 minutes. Is that normal?
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>doesn't scratch nearly as often, maybe just a couple times a day when she
>gets an itch :)

Beth

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M.C. Mullen - 12 Aug 2005 00:33 GMT

: > No more dots! The vet said that
: >the cause of it was most likely her food dish retaining bacteria. I had
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
:
: Beth

Thanks, I'll go and check.

carola

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Wayne Boatwright - 12 Aug 2005 06:25 GMT

>: > No more dots! The vet said that
>: >the cause of it was most likely her food dish retaining bacteria. I
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> carola

Years ago I had a kitty that developed a terrible condition on her chin and
around her mouth, so bad that it was almost raw before I got her to the
vet. Turned out it was the plastic food and water bowls I used for her,
and I was surprised that it could be bacteria because they got a daily
washing in the dishwasher. I replaced her bowls with ceramic and her
condition cleared up in a couple of weeks. I also used an ointment from
the vet, as her condition was especially severe.

We now have five kitties and I needed to find a bowl solution that would
store easily and washs in the dishwasher. I bought 15 Corelle™ fruit
bowls. Being a high-fired glass product, they are highly resistant to
absorbing anything. They are break-resistant, stack well, and take up
little room in the dishwasher. Having 3 sets of 5 bowls means I don't have
to wash up after every meal. Their dry food and water are served in larger
high-fired ceramic bowls.

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Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

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MaryL - 11 Aug 2005 14:30 GMT

> I'm really wondering about my two kittens: They scratch themselves a lot,
> let's say about every 15 minutes. Is that normal?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Carola

This definitely is not normal, and I suggest an immediate visit to the vet.
Fleas really are not impossible, even if they have already been treated.
However, since you indicate that most of the scratching is in the
cheeks/chin area, I would guess that it is an allergy of some sort. One
possibility is that they are having a reaction to their food bowls,
especially if you use plastic. Many cats develop chin acne as a result of
contact with plastic bowls, probably related to bacteria that remains on (or
even permeates) the plastic. If you are using plastic, I suggest that you
change to ceramic or stainless steel. Be sure to clean the bowls
frequently.

MaryL

My cats --
Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e

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M.C. Mullen - 12 Aug 2005 00:35 GMT

: This definitely is not normal, and I suggest an immediate visit to the vet.
: Fleas really are not impossible, even if they have already been treated.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
:
: MaryL

Well, I use both but will leave away the plastic for the time being - hanks

carola

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