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Look out for other signs of arthritis, such as walking stiffly, reluctance to jump, and muscle atrophy. Your vet can help make your cat more comfortable with joint supplements and medications for pain. Hair loss and itching are common symptoms when a cat has an allergic reaction to something it has eaten or come into contact with in the environment. Tracking down the cause of the allergy is the most difficult part of diagnosing the problem. Once the allergen has been identified, treatment usually involves eliminating the substance from the cat's diet or environment. As the allergen works its way out of a cat's system, itchy rashes begin to fade away.
The Importance of Grooming Your Dog
Learning about the possible causes can help you get your cat the help they need. It is important to take appropriate steps to identify the underlying cause of your cat’s alopecia. If you suspect that an endocrine disorder may be causing your cat’s hair loss, get it checked out by a vet. Your vet may recommend treatments like thyroid replacement therapy or behavioral changes to help manage the condition. The treatment for alopecia in cats will depend on the cause of the cat’s hair loss.
#3 Side Effects from Other Treatments
More severe symptoms can also include changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in energy levels, increased thirst and urination, or an enlarged abdomen or pot-belly appearance. Sure, it sucks having everything you own covered in a gossamer web of discarded fluff, but everything has its price. Excessive hair loss, however — the kind that leaves your cat’s coat thin or patchy — is a different story. It almost always indicates a bigger medical issue and should be assessed by a vet as soon as possible.
What Is the Difference Between Cat Hair and Fur?
Your vet may also advise using a plastic cone or shirt to help protect them from further licking or scratching until the underlying issues have been addressed. 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 cats with hair loss. However, not all flea preventatives are equally effective and not all are also effective against mites. Your vet can help you find the safest and most effective options for your cat.
For example, if your cat is losing hair and exhibiting other signs of illness – such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or lethargy – they may be sick. This fungal infection is highly contagious and frequently occurs among kittens or cats living in groups. The main agent is a fungal spore, microsporum canis, which can be contracted from a contaminated animal or environment, and which remain infectious for several months.
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This is a common problem for cats and can have a variety of possible causes. In many cases, there is more than one contributing cause, making the problem frustrating for pet parents to figure out and eliminate. Depending on the severity, the cat might need medical treatment for its wounds to help the skin regenerate and allow the hair to grow back. Changes to the environment and daily behavioral management can help by keeping the cat mentally and physically stimulated. However, cats with extreme anxiety cases might need anti-anxiety medication.
Cat Massage: Good for You, Good for Your Pet
Again, without the presence of additional symptoms like these, you can likely rule out cancer altogether. With that said, some rare forms of cancer—such as neoplasia—can lead to feline hair loss. On the other hand, you may not see your cat clean themselves at all. Kitties will often find somewhere out of sight to lick and pull at a skin irritation. This tendency to hide can make it more challenging to recognize that your fur baby is over-grooming.
Let the Cat Fur Fly
Alongside hair loss, often there is obvious skin damage, swelling, discharge, and redness, and the area is painful, so your cat may not allow you to check it. Guard hairs are the longer, stiffer hairs that extend out past the "base coat" (awn hairs). These are the hairs that usually determine the basic color of the cat.
Managing shedding and clumps of fur in cats doesn’t have to be difficult—following these guidelines will help ensure that your pet remains safe and beautiful at all times. Regular brushing and combing of your cat’s fur is essential for reducing shedding and clumps of fur in cats. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of hair loss in cats.
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In some cases, hair loss in cats can be brought on by other lesser-known causes such as Notoedres cati, more commonly referred to as notoedric mange. Hair loss from Notoedres cati is seen on the ears, neck, eyelids, and other facial and upper body regions. This type of mange is rare but highly contagious to other pets and humans. Treatment for notoedric mange is similar to that of demodectic mange. As we have seen, the causes that can lead to hair loss in cats are quite diverse. Depending on what triggers it, the veterinarian should establish treatment to enable the cat to recover.
Any change in appearance can be alarming—but a sudden change in the fur pattern? Congenital alopecia, which may or may not be hereditary, shows up at birth or shortly after. Hairless breeds, such as the Sphinx, have been bred for this lack of hair follicles resulting in hairless adult cats. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
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