Patches of hair loss accompanied by irritated or scaly skin could indicate an underlying medical condition, such as Cushing's disease or a thyroid problem. Or your cat could simply be suffering an allergic reaction to a new food or airborne allergens.
Why is my cat losing hair in a patch?
- Cat bite abscess which may occur if your cat has been in a fight with another cat. ...
- Hereditary genetic conditions that may cause your cat’s hair to fall out for which there may be no cure. ...
- Reaction to medication that has hair loss as a potential side effect.
- Leukemia, both as a cause in its own right or as a result of their medication
What to do if your cat is losing hair?
Treatment Of Hair Loss
- Treating Fleas and Mites. Because fleas and mites are such common causes of hair loss in cats, effective treatment for these parasites is an important part of treatment for many ...
- Treating Allergies. If a food allergy is suspected your vet may recommend a diet trial to eliminate common allergens like chicken.
- Stress. ...
- Pain. ...
- Ringworm. ...
Why is my cat losing his hair on his back?
Your cat could lose their fur because:
- They were born with a harmless skin condition.
- It’s a side effect of an easy-to-treat condition.
- They are sick.
Why do Cats lose hair in spots?
Why Do Cats Lose Hair in Spots?
- Medical Conditions. Unlike humans, cats don't suffer from male pattern baldness and losing chunks of hair is not normal.
- Parasites. If your cat acquires any unwanted guests on or in his skin, their presence would understandably send him into a grooming frenzy in an effort to get rid of ...
- Excessive Grooming. ...
- Injury. ...
Should I be concerned if my cat is losing hair?
It's unlikely, but hair loss can be a symptom of an immune system problem, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, or cancer. Tell your vet all about your cat's diet, behavior, and home to help pinpoint the cause.
How can I treat my cats hair loss?
Some common treatments include:Topical Treatments. A topical cream is often used when treating alopecia. ... Antidepressants or Antianxiety Medications. ... Antihistamines. ... Cause-Specific Treatments.
How can u tell if a cat has ringworm?
The clearest and most common clinical signs of feline ringworm include the following: circular areas of hair loss, broken and stubbly hair, scaling or crusty skin, alterations in hair or skin color, inflamed areas of skin, excessive grooming and scratching, infected claws or nail beds, and dandruff.
Can worms cause hair loss in cats?
A parasitic infection can cause the feline to lose weight, develop skin conditions, lose hair, become resistant to physical activity, cough, lose blood and even die suddenly due to the parasites taking over the body. Some cats do not show signs of a parasitic infection, which is why a veterinary evaluation is required.
How can I get my cat's hair to grow back?
The 9 Proven Ways to Make Your Cat's Hair Grow Back Faster Are:Treat the Underlying Condition. ... Consider a Dietary Change. ... Get Your Cat Checked for Other Illnesses. ... Check and Treat for Fleas. ... Prevent Hair-Pulling. ... Add Supplements. ... Keep Up with a Brushing Routine. ... Consider Bathing Your Cat.More items...•
What ointment can be used on cats?
Bacitracin is an antibiotic useful for treating mild bacterial infections such as those from minor cuts or burns. When it's used on a cat, it's generally with two other antibiotics, such as polymycin, neomycin or gramicidin, in the form of a triple antibiotic ointment.
Can I put coconut oil on my cat?
Coconut oil can be used both topically and orally to keep your cat's coat shiny and healthy and prevent dry, irritated skin from developing. It kills parasites such as mange, fleas, and ticks which are suffocated by the fat content in the oil.
What does mange look like on a cat?
Excessive itching, hair loss, and redness are the most common symptoms of mange mites in a cat. Skin crusting and small skin bumps may also be seen in some cats with mange. If the mange is located in the ears of a cat, a cat will also have excessive ear debris that is dry and dark when compared to normal ear wax.
Why is my cat getting bald spots?
Bald spots in cats are most commonly due to the cat excessively scratching or licking the area. They commonly do this because they’re itchy due to...
How can I treat my cat’s hair loss?
Treatment for hair loss is based on addressing the underlying cause. Common causes include allergies, fleas or mites, fungal infection (Ringworm),...
What does it mean when my cat is losing hair?
It’s almost never normal for cats to lose hair and have bald spots. Many diseases can cause hair loss and common ones are allergies, fleas and mite...
Why does my cat have patches of hair?
The reason your cat has patches of hair missing from their coat is that something is wrong physically or mentally. A cat's hair is a signifier of their well-being. A healthy cat will have a thick and lustrous coat (excluding naturally hairless cats ), an unhealthy cat will lose not only their shine, but also the hair itself.
Why does cat hair fall out?
Cats need to adapt to different temperatures precipitated by the changing of seasons. They do so by shedding in the springtime, although indoor cats may moult throughout the year. It is important to know that this natural shedding is not abnormal. You can distinguish natural moulting as hair coming off the whole body in an even fashion.
Why does my cat have bald spots?
However, if a cat licks excessively, they can end up tearing out the hair and leading to bald spots .
Why is my cat's hair bald?
Reasons for a bald spot on a cat. If your cat has patches of hair missing, it is easy to jump to conclusions. Since we know a cat's coat is a signifier of their overall health, hair falling out can feel like a serious warning. In some circumstances, this is the case. In others, the problem may be minor, temporary or even not a problem at all in ...
Why does my cat have round patches on his head?
If your cat is displaying hair loss in the form of round patches, especially if they are on the top of the head, then it is likely to be due to ringworm. Not actually a parasitical worm as you might expect, ringworm is a fungus which infects the skin. Also known as dermatophytosis, it is a relatively common disorder especially in younger cats. In adults cats, it usually begins when a cat is subject to stress, which could be due to anything from moving home to having a new family member.
How long does ringworm treatment last for cats?
For acute cases the treatment can continue for up to and over 4 weeks, although a resolution should present itself around this time. When healed, any bald spots on the cat should regrow with hair.
Why does my cat have ringworm?
Ringworm is usually self-limiting which means the cat's own immune system can work to restore their skin back to a healthy condition. When the skin is healthy, the patch of hair will grow back.
Why do cats lose hair?
Stress and Anxiety. Another reason cats commonly over-groom and cause hair loss is stress and anxiety (sometimes called Psychogenic Alopecia). Cats love routine, and anything that disrupts routines can be stressful for them. Not all cats get along with other cats or other pets, and that can be a source of stress too.
Why does my cat have hair loss?
In summary, the most common causes of hair loss in cats are as follows: Allergies. Fleas and mites. Stress/anxiety.
Why does my cat scratch his hair?
This fungus actually damages the hair and the hair follicles causing hair loss. Ringworm can also be itchy and cause cats to lick, chew, and scratch the area. This creates bald spots.
Why does my cat have bald spots on his ears?
Rarely some older cats can get bald patches on bony areas like their ankles and on their ears as an age-related change.
How to diagnose hair loss?
As a first diagnostic step, your vet will do a thorough physical exam, focusing on the skin and coat and looking for evidence of pain or any fleas. Your vet will also ask about any other symptoms you might be seeing, like any scratching, head shaking, behavioral changes, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, ...
Why do cats lick their belly?
Most commonly, this happens on the belly due to stomach or abdominal pain, constipation, or even bladder inflammation and pain. Cats may lick too much and cause hair loss over painful joints too.
Can cats get mites?
Having fleas and mites, even if they’re not allergic to them, can still cause itching and damage to hair and hair follicles, which leads to hair loss. There are several types of mites cats can get, including Mange and Scabies mites.
Why does my cat's hair not grow back?
Outside of the thyroid, if cats have a hormonal imbalance and an increased level of steroids in the body , the hair follicles may die; and with abnormal hormone levels, new hair may not grow back. For instance, Cushing’s disease, a metabolic disorder that produces too much cortisol, may cause alopecia in cats. 5.
Why does my cat lick his hair?
Sometimes, a cat may engage in compulsive grooming because of neuropathic pain from nerve damage in the skin. In rare cases, a cat may groom too much and lose hair for psychogenic reasons, like anxiety after a stressful event; but, it’s more likely that cats licking off their hair are itching from flea allergy, Dr. Bateman says.
What causes alopecia in cats?
1. Allergies — Particularly to Fleas — and Itching and Over-grooming. An example of G.G.’s hair loss due to a flea allergy.
What does it mean when a cat has alopecia?
The rest of the cat population, which is born with normal fur, gets acquired alopecia — which is a symptom of a disease or condition, and not a disease itself . The veterinarian will diagnose the underlying condition, Dr. Bateman says.
Why does my cat's skin itch?
Mange, scabies and lice also can make a cat’s skin itch — leading to the same over-grooming and a cat losing hair. Mites, food allergies and environmental allergies also can cause itching and over-grooming. 2. Pain.
Can prednisone cause hair loss in cats?
Hayworth says, stopping the medication will reverse this condition. 6. Cancer. Thankfully, cancer is a rarely the reason for a cat losing hair; it is far more likely that your kitty’s hair loss is nothing serious.
Can cats bite fleas?
Fleas can bite and irritate any cat, but some cats have a hypersensitivity to antigens within the flea saliva. These allergic cats get miserably itchy if they encounter fleas — and many of them will over-groom as a way of scratching the itch. The hair doesn’t just fall out; the cats actually lick it so much that they pull their hair out.
Why does my cat not shed hair?
Now, the cat may not shed hair because of fleas themselves. The cause of alopecia, in this case, is a flea bite allergy. If the feline is sensitive to the flea’s saliva, it can develop alopecia, especially in its hindquarters. Unfortunately, it only takes one flea to trigger a rather unfortunate, and sometimes prolonged reaction.
Why is my cat losing its fur?
Cancer. Poor Nutrition. Owning a dog and a cat, or living in an area where the cat has easy access to the outside, could be the reason the feline is suddenly losing its fur. If it can go outdoors and mingle in nature or is in close contact with a dog every single day, it can get bitten by a flea.
What happens if a cat has Demodex mites?
Furthermore, if its hormone levels rise or the cat starts producing excess oil, an outbreak of Demodex mites is the usual consequence, with a condition called mange as the end result. In most cases, the mite infestation is evident around the cat’s eyelids, flank, head, and neck.
What parasites can cats get from roofs?
Mites. However, fleas aren’t the only parasites cat owners should worry about. Although Demodex mites are common in most mammals, when their population rises through the roof, they can cause intense itching, skin lesions, and hair loss, among other things.
How to confirm a cat's allergy?
To confirm the allergy, the vet will examine the cat and its whole medical history. Sometimes, serologic allergy testing and intradermal testing may help with determining the cause.
Why does my cat's fur come out?
Nevertheless, if the fur is coming out in clumps, that might be a sign to get the cat to the vet. It could be suffering from feline alopecia.
How to deal with alopecia in cats?
The best way to cope with this form of alopecia is to actually take better care of the cat. It’s imperative not to put it under too much (unnecessary) stress and to maintain a steady routine. In more severe cases, though, anti-anxiety medications are also an option.
Why does my cat have hair in patches?
Likewise, if your cat begins losing hair in patches, clumps, or overall, it could be a sign of a greater health issue. The possible causes of cat hair loss, called alopecia, are many, and diagnosing the condition that underlies hair loss might take some time. You should work closely with your vet to identify the source of the problem.
Why does my cat's hair fall off?
Ringworm, which is easily spread through contact with infected animals, causes the hair in adult cats to become brittle and break off in patches. Kittens exhibit reddish areas on the face, ears, and paw pads, sometimes accompanied by a white or gray crust.
How to tell if a cat has ringworm?
Your vet can determine if a ringworm infection is present through a fungal skin culture. Those cats who test positive will be treated with antifungal shampoos, creams, sprays, or medications.
What does it mean when a cat has a red crust on its face?
Kittens exhibit reddish areas on the face, ears, and paw pads, sometimes accompanied by a white or gray crust. Your vet can determine if a ringworm infection is present through a fungal skin culture. Those cats who test positive will be treated with antifungal shampoos, creams, sprays, or medications.
Why does my cat have alopecia?
Some cats may suffer from alopecia due to excessive grooming habits. This condition is known as psychogenic dermatitis, and your cat may have it if they lick to the point of hair loss.
Why does my cat scratch so much?
Have you noticed your cat scratching just a bit more often these days? If your cat is starting to lose their hair, there maybe an underlying health reason such as allergies or thyroid diseases. Find out here the most common reasons your cat might be losing hair, and how to treat and prevent more hair loss.
How long does it take for a cat to change their diet?
If your cat is allergic to their food you will need to change their diet over the course of a week, so as not to upset their digestive system. Cats particularly prone to food allergies may do well with hypoallergenic cat foods.
How Can I Stop My Cat From Losing So Much Of Hair?
Keep your cat on an effective flea control to avoid parasitic infections that can lead to hair loss. Provide your cat with cat toys and playtime to keep her intellectually occupied and prevent hair loss caused by neurotic diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ringworm, mites, or flea allergies are all possible reasons for feline fur loss. Food allergies and metabolic disorders, including hyperthyroidism (the overproduction of thyroid hormones), are other possibilities.
Final Words
When cats are stressed, terrified, or worried, they tend to shed more. Cats brush themselves less frequently as they become older. This might result in increased shedding or massification of their fur.
Why do cats lose fur?
In this case, the depression or the stress can affect the animal's fur.
What is normal hair loss in cats?
If you've only recently welcomed a cat into your home, you might not be used to finding loads of hair on your sofa, clothes and even in the most unexpected places. If this is the case, we stress that regular hair loss is normal, especially for long-haired cats. Check out our article on how to deal with cat hair shedding for some advice.
How long does it take for a cat to molt?
Cats experience significant hair loss during one of the two molting periods. This process usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks and takes place during late summer and early spring.
Why does my cat's fur turn red?
Finally, it must be noted that there are certain skin diseases that can directly affect your cat's fur and cause them to lose hair. While many different types exist, ringworm is the most common, distinguishable by red welts on the skin. From the long list of skin conditions, bacteria and fungus growth are two notable ones.
Why does hair fall out?
If you suspect that hair is falling out due to an illness or the presence of parasites, it's best to see a specialist as soon as possible.
Do older cats lose hair?
You should start worrying if you notice limp, thinning fur with patches in certain areas, or if the animal gets fleas. Older cats may lose more hair than younger cats. If this is the case - and it isn't an excessive hair loss - the vet will suggest that you improve its diet.
Do cats molt?
In the same vein as dogs, chinchillas or rabbits, cats change their coat to adequately adapt to changes in temperature.
Why does my cat's hair fall out?
The Most Common Reasons. You’ll need to check with your vet to find out exactly what’s going on. In most cases, the cause isn’t serious. Allergies: They’re the top cause of hair loss. Like people, your cat can be allergic to food, insect bites, medicines, dust, or pollen.
Why does my cat lick his fur?
Your cat could lose their fur because: They were born with a harmless skin condition. It’s a side effect of an easy-to-treat condition.
Why do cats lick themselves?
Pain: Cats with arthritis may lick themselves at the site of the pain.
What does it mean when a cat picks at its belly?
Vets call this “psychogenic alopecia.”. Cats that have it tend to pick at their belly, sides, and legs. It’s most common in female purebreds with nervous personalities. Treat their wounds, and ask your vet if they need an antidepressant or changes in their environment, like putting up high perches or keeping dogs away.
What causes bald spots on dogs?
It’s simple to treat, but you might have to give them medicine for the rest of their life. Parasites: Fleas, mites, lice, and ticks can make them scratch and lick, too, causing bald spots and even sores. Treatment is usually quick and easy. Ask your vet which medicine you should use.
Is it normal for cats to lose hair?
Some hair loss, like shedding their winter coat, is normal. But if they lose a lot of hair, there might be a problem. Do they constantly scratch or lick themselves? Cats groom themselves a lot (up to half of the time they’re awake). Too much can cause hair loss, skin sores, and infection.
