What is this bug I found on my cat?? Please help

Hi everyone,

I'm the one that posted earlier that my himmie was itching and looking hair all around his neck and that we were still trying to figure out the diagnosis. Well today I was applying the lime sulfur on him and out of no where a bug fell on to my hand. I presume this was from him since we were in the bathroom and I have no idea where this bug would have come from (but I can't be sure because I didnt see exactly where it fell from) Can someone help identify it? Maybe this is the cause of all his scratching all along???!

It looks more like a beetle. and if it is, why would it be on a cat? STRANGE! It has antennas so I don't think it is a partially full tick. It must just like the hair on your cat! I'm glad you found it, now, has your cat still been itching?

smr00 said:

photo 2(1).JPG

• smr00
• May 2, 2014

photo 3.JPG

• smr00
• May 2, 2014

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It looks to me like a type of ladybug. There are different colored types. Depending on where you live, spring is usually the time when ladybugs come out of hiding. Some of my windows become covered with them.

http://www.ladybug-life-cycle.com/classification-species-types.html

I can't tell how big it is from the photos, but it could be an adult carpet beetle. There are different types of carpet beetles, but the "furniture carpet beetle" type seems to be similar to the one in the picture.

It's such terrible name for an insect (like bed bug) because a lot people make an assumption that the home is dirty. Actually, they come in from outside, and are only called that because they thrive on fibers like carpet and, yes, cat hair.

Picture of one that looks like the above:

http://www.pantrypest.com/furniture-carpet-beetles.html

General articles:

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/kbrec/furniture-carpet-beetle

http://www.heartspm.com/carpet-beetles.php

Oh, and since you said your cat was itching, I found this (although it only applies to humans):

http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/carpet-beetle-dermatitis

A pencil or penny next to the bug will help us know the relative size of the little bugger.

Seconding the carpet beetle idea. They can cause allergic skin reactions similar to bed bug bites (which are incredibly itchy), even though they don't actually bite.

I see little bugs like that in my linen closet sometimes. Like others are saying, I think it's a carpet beetle.