itchiness

Question
Subject   itchiness
Question   

For the last two weeks my cat and I have both been itchy. It is not bed bugs or fleas, I've checked all that. He is long hair so it is hard to say if I got a good look at the skin for fleas. Do you think it could be dry skin on both since its November and the baseboard heat has been on? I no longer have the same itchiness, but he is still licking and scratching?  

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Answer   Hi Frank,

Cats are really good at getting rid of fleas. You may not see them but they could have them. I would try a course of Advantage for Cats just to make sure. For you, it's most likely the dry heat. If the food is the problem, it should take about a week to see a change. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen  

Answer
Hi Frank,

If the problem is fleas you will see bumps as well as itching and it should be in only one or two locations not all over.  Fleas tend bite you in places where your clothing is tight, like around your ankles (because of your socks).  Also if your cat has fleas you would likely see some on her face, around her mouth and eyes particularly.  
She could be suffering (as you may be) from the dry air or she might have a food allergy.  Many cats are allergic to fish; unfortunately most commercial cat foods have fish in them.  Try to find one that has fish listed way down in the ingrediants list, that means there's not much in the food.  If she'll let you try shampooing her with a moisturizing cat shampoo.