Skin problems in cats abound from eruptions, to itching, from fleas, to a feeling of formication (a crawling sensation under the skin, as if ants were there), to incessant scratching.

Very often fleas are blamed. However both eruptions and constant scratching can result with an absence of fleas.

Apart from fleas, what else could be the cause?

Symptoms are signposts. They tell us that all is not well. There is disharmony within. Where these show up indicate specific problems.

The skin is the least important organ of the body. Problems on the skin don't interfere with the normal functioning of the body. Skin problems are not a problem in or of themselves. 

They are more of a release of problems.

Along with the bowels and renal system, the skin offers a way of dumping waste and toxins. Toxins have to come out somehow and these channels serve the purpose well.

However, the skin is not needed unless there is an overload. The bowels and renal system cope with all the natural biological waste.

Toxins abound in our current world, with many new chemicals created every year. Much of these are used in agriculture, making our food toxic.

Many are used in the production of cheap food, to create flavours, so that synthetic copy cats of food can be marketed. The pet food industry is a big target for these.

Many are used in medical and veterinary drugs.

These chemicals are not natural. The body has no knowledge of how to deal with them. They are toxins, or poisons, to the body. The body wants them out.

This is where the skin comes in. If the bowels and renal system can't keep up with the detoxification, then the skin is roped in to help.

When the ingestion of toxins stop, the skin conditions fade away.

A further problem in cats is their lack of natural thirst. If they don't have enough liquid in their food (especially with dry kibble), they will be chronically dehydrated. This limits their natural ability to flush the body of toxins and waste.

Different skin conditions depend on the individual cat, their health history, their inheritance, their diet, any past stresses and how they dealt with them, etc.

There could be fleas or an absence of fleas.

It all points to toxicity in one form or another.

Vets don't understand the way a healthy body reacts. They're not taught this. They're taught to match condition A to drug B.

They're not taught about toxins and how the body deals with them.

So their treatment adds to the problem. Chemical drugs may suppress the condition for a while, but it will return. And it will keep returning until the cause is addressed.

More dangerous drugs are being developed without a thought to the resulting struggling immune system.

Every holistic practitioner worth their salt always start by asking about diet. Could the diet be the cause of common skin problems in cats?

A resounding 'yes' if they are fed commercial cat food.

Change that to a healthy, quality, raw meat and bones diet and the problems may be fully healed.

Another area any good holistic practitioner will ask about is the health care to date. Could this treatment be a cause?

Again, a resounding 'yes' if they are on or were on veterinary drugs.

Neither pet food nor veterinary drugs go through the same quality control or rigorous hygienic process that human food and drugs do.

Healing skin problems in cats can be a breeze, when they adapt to a new healthy food. Or it can be complex, in which case you'll do well with the help of a professional homeopath.

Homeopathy works by supporting a struggling immune system, to return it to its rightful ability to keep the cat in harmonious balance and health.