Sunday, April 28, 2024

Why Is My Cat Losing Hair? Most Common Reasons and Solutions

cat losing hair on back legs

Lack of grooming can lead to matting and skin issues, while excessive grooming can cause hair loss. Regular grooming and proper hygiene practices are important for maintaining a healthy coat in cats. Identifying the underlying cause of over-grooming, such as stress or skin irritation, is important to address the issue.

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Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Cats

A highly stressed feline may seek a way of relieving their stress, often resulting in compulsive behavior like incessant licking or scratching. Moving to a new home, introducing a new pet, or any other big changes in your cat’s life may cause anxiety and stress and cause them to lick themselves obsessively. Usually, once the stressful event is over, they may stop the habit, but at times, it can become compulsive. It’s important to note that alopecia is not a disease in and of itself, but rather a term used to describe a sign of a disease or condition. Cats who are exhibiting pain can over-groom the areas that are painful.

Stud Tail

She enjoys long strolls along Huntington Beach with her 2 dogs and loves to teach her cat new tricks. When she isn’t posting CUDDLY animal content on social, you can find her hiking with her fur-children, writing fun content, or dancing to the beat of her own drum. Originally opened as Animal Care Hospital by Dr. Mark Johnston in 1989, the hospital became Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital in 2015 when it was purchased by Drs.

Pattern Baldness in Cats

This is similar in humans who break out in a rash or hives if they eat something they are allergic to. Some food reactions have very distinct signs, so recognizing them is easy2. Reactions can also cause joint discomfort, including the spine, leading to overgrooming. Although there are some causes of hair loss that you have little control over, there are a few things you can do to at home to help make sure your cat's skin and fur remain healthy.

Krysha is the owner of a chatty Tortie cat named Shelly, whom she rescued and cares for. A skin scraping is a test in which the vet uses a dull blade to scrape a few of the skin cells and particles from the epidermis (outer layer of skin) to be examined. Answer a few questions about your pet's symptom, and our vet-created Symptom Checker will give you the most likely causes and next steps. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of cells and may require biopsies, and treatment often involves surgical removal, but some cases may need radiation or chemotherapy.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Cat Hair Loss

Cats with this issue can be so allergic that a single flea bite can make them itch and have hair loss for weeks even though you never saw any fleas on them. This excess oil makes the hair at the base of your cat’s tail extremely greasy-looking. The sebum can also clog the pores in your cat’s skin and cause hair loss in this region. This area is also more likely to become infected, causing yet more hair thinning and bald patches. You might also notice a lot of blackheads at the base of the tail and a foul smell coming from this area. Several illnesses and conditions are responsible for causing hair follicle damage and disrupting their hair growth cycles.

cat losing hair on back legs

It is essential to understand that alopecia is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition that could range from mild to severe. There are also calming food options on the market by brands such as Royal Canin or Science Diet that might help. If further therapy is needed, talk to your vet about putting your cat on an anti-anxiety medication, such as Fluoxetine or Paroxetine. If a food allergy is suspected your vet may recommend a diet trial to eliminate common allergens like chicken. For environmental allergens, there are treatments to reduce the allergic reaction. The appropriate treatment for your cat’s hair loss will depend on its underlying cause.

Hair Loss in Cats

If the underlying cause for pattern baldness is caused by a hormone imbalance, your veterinarian may prescribe hormone therapy drugs and a change in the feline’s diet. Hair loss in cats is almost never normal and can be due to serious health issues such as allergies, fleas, stress, pain, or ringworm. If you notice any bald spots or areas with shorter or thin hair on your cat, schedule an appointment with your vet so you can figure out what’s going on and treat it.

Consult Your Vet

Switching to a different protein food according to your vet’s recommendation and trying it for a minimum of 8 weeks may help. So, if your cat has been on a chicken-based food, you may try a fish-based food. Make sure to read labels thoroughly because some products may sneak into places you wouldn’t expect. Your cat is not allowed any other food during the trial period, as even a treat with the suspected allergen may set off the signs again. Cats are creatures of habit, and it doesn’t take very much to cause anxiety.

Yes, stress can manifest in various ways in cats, including hair loss. Providing a calm and stable environment for your cat is important to prevent stress-related hair loss. If your cat has food allergies that are causing skin problems, it might be time to change food brands.

Some natural remedies, such as omega-3 fatty acid supplements or oatmeal baths, may help improve skin and coat health in cats. The more observant you are, the easier it will be to identify the problem. Bald areas on your cat’s body can look different depending on the underlying cause.

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This can be difficult in a multicat household as there may be access to other cat foods. Not necessarily convenient, but a very important step along the pathway of finding out why your cat is overgrooming. Cats shed regularly, but alopecia can leave your cat with major bald spots that are concerning to most pet owners. From allergies to pests to stress and anxiety, there are several causes behind balding that can be the cause behind your cat losing hair.

With so many potential underlying causes, fur loss in cats can be a difficult thing to resolve. The key is to keep an open dialogue going with your vet and to explore the solutions that feel right for you and your sweet feline. A good bath, blow-dry, and brushing should remove most of the shedding hair. If you are left with a coat that looks patchy or very thin, or if your cat continues to lose a lot of hair despite the bath and brushing, it’s time to consult your vet. Pain can also cause them to lick excessively and lose hair in the painful area.

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. Many cats are predisposed to anxiety and stress, which can lead to excessive grooming and hair loss typically on the cats’ back, around the neck or eyes. Also known as stud tail, this is disease is commonly seen in non-neutered male cats. However, it can still exist in neutered males and females – this is just much rarer. And the base of their tails happens to be one of the itchiest spots.

The Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is an excellent choice for cats who require the occasional full bath and the Waterless No-Rinse Dry Shampoo is perfect for felines that prefer to stay dry! Both are made with all-natural ingredients and pH-balanced formulas designed to gently lift away dirt and debris, leaving your cat's coat and skin soft and hydrated. Try switching your cat to a different protein diet and see whether the situation changes.

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