Why does my cat have scabs on her neck and back?

Small crusty scabs along the neck and back, sometimes called miliary dermatitis, are a pattern rather than a diagnosis, and the most common driver is fleas, even on indoor cats. Allergies to food or something in the environment, mites or a skin infection can produce the same look. You’ll often feel the scabs before you see them, like grit under the fur. Flea control and a vet visit to pin down the cause are the right steps, since the treatment depends entirely on what’s behind it.

When to call a vet: Persistent scabbing, hair loss or constant scratching needs a vet to identify the cause and rule out fleas, allergy or infection.