You’ve probably heard the term “mangy dog” on more than one occasion, and for good reason—mange is very common in our canine friends. But can cats get mange? Although felines rarely contract this skin disease, mange in cats is not unheard of. Find out which symptoms you should be on the lookout for, prevention options, and how to treat mange in cats.
What is mange?
Mange is an inflammatory skin disease caused by multiple species of tiny mites. These mites are sometimes host-specific (such as preferring humans or dogs in particular), or can affect a variety of species. In most human cases, mange is referred to as scabies.
Can cats get mange from dogs?
Yes—as a highly contagious disease that commonly affect dogs, mange can spread from pet to pet in the household.
Can humans get mange from cats?
Again, yes—because mange is a zoonotic disease, humans are at risk of contracting scabies from infected cats or dogs.
What else causes mange in cats?
According to PetMD, one species of mange-causing mites is associated with diseases that compromise the immune and metabolic systems, such as diabetes. The article also notes that Siamese and Burmese breeds appear to be at a higher risk for contracting mange.
Symptoms of mange in cats
Symptoms generally appear a week after exposure, including the following:
- Hair loss around the eyelids, head, neck, and flank
- Raised lesions on the skin
- Scaly, flaky, or crusty skin patches
- Restlessness
- Intense itching
- Frantic scratching
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