Most everyone has a cat that scratches now and then.

Some people have cats that scratch until they create bleeding sores all over their necks and rumps.

Cats scratch for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, they have fleas, and possibly an allergy to the flea bites.

Routine allergies that cause scratching are the most common, and the most inexpensive problems to treat in the cat.

But there are other possible causes that have to be considered based on experience and a careful examination.

Sometimes cats are allergic to their food.

Sometimes they are infected with a skin fungus called "Ringworm".

And other times they are being bathed too often, and in a shampoo that dries the skin out.

Fascinating fact: Cats have no sweat glands in their skin. It is easy to dry out the skin, leaving it itchy and flakey.

When I look at your itching cat, I check to see if it looks much like Ringworm. If so, it may be suggested that a Ringworm culture should be done. This test is very inexpensive and prevents human infection by the fungus.

If it appears to be allergic, I may suggest a cortisone shot, which suppresses the allergic response to the fleas and gives the cat a great deal of comfort. This costs less than 15 dollars.

Finally, I may suggest a flea control method, like a shampoo that does not dry the skin, or a flea spray.

In rare instances, a special food may be tried, called Hill's D/D diet, that reduces a cats allergic response to the food, but only if that is what I actually think is ailing the cat.

No matter how you slice it, the vast majority of cats tearing themselves up out there do not have to be suffering like that, and the majority of those cats could be helped immensely.