My cat has brown spots, not fleas or mites. Are they harmless?

Without an exam, it would be hard to say what is causing the issue. Parasites such as fleas can cause brown dots on the skin, that usually flake off or turn red when exposed to water. Allergies may cause irritation to the skin and can also cause scratching. Other issues such as skin infections or metabolic issues may also cause the skin to look irritated or changed colors as well. If Figaro seems bothered, the area becomes redder or changes rapidly, or other new symptoms appear, seeking vet care is best.

These signs may be compatible with excess sebum and comedone formation which can predispose to secondary infection (there are no signs of infection at the moment). Mild chlorhexidine washes may be beneficial in these cases. Please contact your local veterinarian for specific products.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While it is hard to tell just in these pictures, I think cancer is less likely and something more benign like allergies and dermatitis is more likely. Ultimately, this requires further investigation to know for sure. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hi and thanks for posting! The brown color may be a scab or scabbing around her legs and neck due to itching or licking frequently. It may be Sasha has an allergy to fleas (especially if she is not on any flea preventative), or has another allergy. Skin mites are also a possibility as is a fungal infection or bacterial infection. I would not try to remove the scab as the skin is trying to heal itself. I would recommend having Sasha seen by her veterinarian soon so a definitive diagnosis can be made and Sasha can receive the necessary treatments. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

From looking at the pictures it looks like Bella has freckles! As cats get older it is not uncommon for them to develop brown or black spots on their skin that are simply freckles. I would strongly recommend to keep a close eye on them though. If they are changing, developing scabs, and/or ulcerated, I would strongly recommend to see your veterinarian for an exam.

The most likely cause for water to turn red brown when rinsing off an animal is due to the presence of fleas. Flea poop, also known as flea dirt, turns red brown when it gets wet. Some cats may have an allergic reaction to flea bites causing severe scabbing or crusting of their skin and thinning hair. Given the severity of what you're describing, I would recommend that you have Lucky seen by your veterinarian. Left untreated, flea infestations can cause severe anemia. Your veterinarian may recommend checking Lucky's red blood cell level for anemia. They can also recommend flea treatments for Lucky and for your home to help solve the problem. Please keep in mind that many over-the-counter flea treatments are not safe for cats. Please make sure to read all packaging carefully.

There are several things that could cause this. If it is in the location of a joint like an elbow then this could be a callous from laying on hard surfaces and nothing to worry about. Otherwise, this could be a fungal infection (ringworm), a bacterial infection, or simply allergies or dry skin. I would have your vet take a look at it so they can recommend the best oral meds if needed to help her improve. You could also try to bathe her with an oatmeal based shampoo to see if it improves. I hope this helps