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What are these recurring scabs and bumps on my cat's neck and ears?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 11 months and 8 days old | 6.6 lbs

Hello! My 1 year old cat has scabs on her neck and the front of her ears. She also has small bumps on her ears (not scabs). She is sterilized and her vaccinations are in order. She sometimes scratches on the scabs but not always. We have another cat who has no problems with his skin. Both cats are indoor cats. She has no bugs on her skin and she has no hair loss. Sometimes the scabs go away and then they come back after a while. What do you think it could be?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jessica Desrosiers

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on October 7th, 2021

Ouch! Those are some major hot spots in that photo. I would recommend having Lili seen by your vet so the area can be clipped and cleaned and any medications such as pain or antibiotics can be given to help it heal a bit faster. I'd also keep Lili from scratching or pawing at it as this can introduce bacteria and more inflammation which can slow healing.

If only Lili is affected and you're not noticing other issues like parasites, etc, it is possible there is an allergy underlying. She could be rubbing up against something causing the itchiness, or could have an ingredient allergy to something in her food (or a treat if the spots correspond with intermittent feeding of a treat or wet food). Other issues such as an underlying illness like an immune or metabolic issue can also cause scabbing and skin issues that affect only one cat in the household.

A vet visit is a good option at this point both to treat the current scabs and to see if a food trial, allergy meds, or additional testing such as bloodwork to rule out any underlying health issues may be beneficial in finding the cause.
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