Mange in Cats: Types, Signs and Treatment

What mange is and the main types

Mange is the general name for skin disease caused by mites burrowing into or living on the skin. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes several types in cats. Feline scabies, caused by Notoedres cati, is highly contagious but Merck notes it is more common in subtropical and tropical regions and uncommon to rare in cooler, temperate ones. It causes severe itching with crusts and hair loss that typically start on the ears, head and neck, sometimes called face mange, before spreading.

Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex mites. One species, Demodex cati, normally lives on cat skin in small numbers and only causes disease in some cats, often ones with another illness. Another, Demodex gatoi, lives on the skin surface, is contagious between cats and tends to be itchy. Walking dandruff (Cheyletiella) causes scaling along the back. Cats can also catch sarcoptic mange from infested dogs, and chiggers cause tiny orange-red dots on the head, ears, feet or belly in summer and fall. Ear mites are a separate, very common mite of the ear canal.

Signs of mange in cats

The most common signs are itching, scratching and over-grooming, hair loss, redness, scabs and thick crusts. With feline scabies, the edges of the ears and the face are usually affected first, and the itching can be intense enough that cats scratch their skin raw. Walking dandruff shows as heavy scaling along the back, sometimes with many small crusty bumps, and the itch can range from none to severe.

Demodex cati often causes patchy hair loss around the eyes, head and neck, or excess ear wax, while widespread disease can cover the body with hair loss and crusts. Merck notes that a cat with widespread demodectic mange should be checked for an underlying illness such as diabetes, feline leukemia virus, FIV or cancer. Because broken, itchy skin is easily infected, some cats develop sores that ooze or smell.

When to call your vet today

Book a visit soon for any cat that is scratching constantly, losing hair in patches, or developing crusts or scabs, especially around the ears and face. Many conditions look similar, including flea allergy, food allergy and ringworm, and Merck notes that ringworm can occur together with Demodex mites, so testing matters. Call the same day if your cat has open sores, is scratching itself raw, or seems unwell or off its food.

Call too if other pets in the home start itching or if you notice itchy red bumps on your own skin after handling the cat. Some mites spread between animals and people, and your vet will want to plan treatment for every animal in contact with the affected cat.

When it's an emergency

Mange on its own is rarely an emergency. Go to your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately, though, if your cat has drooling, trembling, twitching, seizures or wobbliness after any flea, mite or pest product was put on it, especially one not prescribed for cats. Merck warns that some insecticides are toxic to cats. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

Also seek urgent care if a cat with severe skin disease becomes lethargic, stops eating, develops a fever, or has rapidly spreading red, swollen or oozing skin, since a deep infection may be developing.

What you can safely do at home

Do not use any flea, tick or mite product on your cat unless your vet has approved it for your cat. Merck specifically warns against using insecticides on cats without veterinary advice. Do not put home remedies on broken skin before your vet has seen it.

Until your cat is seen, keep it separate from other pets, wash its bedding in hot water, and vacuum the areas where it rests. Wash your hands after handling it. Gently stopping a cat from scratching an open wound, for example with a soft recovery cone if you have one from a previous visit, can help prevent further damage.

What the vet will likely check

Your vet will look at where the skin changes are and how itchy your cat is, then look for mites under a microscope. Merck describes skin scrapings, sticky tape samples and flea combing as the usual tests. Notoedres mites are usually easy to find, but Demodex gatoi and walking dandruff mites can be scarce, so a negative test does not always rule them out. In that case, a vet may treat on suspicion and watch how the skin responds. A fungal culture for ringworm and blood tests for underlying disease may also be advised.

Treatment depends on the mite. Options include prescription spot-on or oral medicines, injections and medicated dips or shampoos, sometimes with clipping to remove crusts and treatment for skin infection. Merck stresses treating every animal in contact with the affected cat, not just the one with signs. Walking dandruff treatment usually lasts six to eight weeks and continues a little past the point where the skin looks normal.

Prevention and the risk to people

Keep cats away from animals known to have mange and from strays or wildlife that may carry mites, and have new pets checked before they mix with your others. Keeping cats indoors reduces exposure. Some monthly parasite preventives your vet prescribes also protect against certain mites, so ask which suits your household.

People can occasionally pick up feline scabies, sarcoptic mites from dogs and, quite often, walking dandruff mites, which usually cause itchy red bumps on the arms or body. Treating every pet in the home and cleaning bedding is the main step, and see your own doctor if you develop a rash.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.