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For example, if your cat has allergies, they may need to take medication or avoid contact with whatever is causing the allergy. Fleas can be controlled with topical, spot-on treatments or oral medications. Allergies may be treated with changes to your cat’s diet, antihistamines, or other medications.
Guard Hairs
There is a muscle next to the root, just under the skin, that is extremely sensitive to temperature. In cold weather, or when a cat is frightened or alarmed this muscle contracts, causing the attendant hair to stand straight up, creating that familiar "Halloween cat" look. Cats may have from one to three types of hair in their coats, referenced sometimes as "double coat," or "triple coat," plus their distinctive whiskers, which are also hairs. Sometimes, a cat losing hair fur is perfectly natural—especially as they age. Like humans, senior cats can experience thinning fur or mild hair loss unrelated to concerns regarding their general health.
Is There a Way to Stop My Cat from Losing So Much Hair?
Allergies are a common reason for hair loss and skin irritation in cats, and it may be the next thing to investigate in some cats, depending on their age and distribution of skin changes. Fleas in particular are an irritant to any cat, but in some individuals, fleas can lead to severe allergic skin reactions. This is due to a hypersensitivity to antigens within the flea’s saliva, which causes extreme itchiness and leads to excessive overgrooming by your cat. In this case, the hair is not actually falling out but is being damaged and pulled out by licking and scratching faster than it can be replaced. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause baldness and hair loss in cats. However, if left untreated, ringworm infections can not only spread to other areas of the cat’s body, but also infect humans as well.
Arrange Regular Visits to the Vet
Watch for short patches of fur or bald spots, more frequent hairballs, and red sores beneath the cat's coat. Unless you have a hairless Sphynx cat, full or partial cat hair loss (also called feline alopecia) is a sign that something is not quite right. However, if you are concerned about your cat’s hair loss, taking them to the veterinarian as soon as possible is key to reducing any long-lasting damage to the coat and skin. You can treat this in several ways, beginning with giving your cat a breathing space to de-stress. Plenty of distractions, including cat toys and scratchers, can also help. Finally, cat-appeasing pheromones can help reduce stress levels in the home.
Emotional and Behavioral issues
Chronic anxiety and stress is not good for them and may lead to various health issues. Pain is another fairly common cause of hair loss that may be more subtle. Your cat may incessantly lick their fur not from itchiness, but from pain, in an effort to relieve the pain or discomfort.
How To Manage Shedding and Clumps Of Fur In Cats
Fleas can irritate cats, particularly if they have an allergic reaction to their saliva, causing them to itch and over-groom the area. This can cause more damage to the skin underneath the fur, resulting in unsightly scabs and loss. Sometimes the hair loss can be minimal, with a coin size piece missing. Other times, a large amount of fur spanning almost half of the back can occur, but that is an extreme example. Hair loss in cats can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, so it’s essential to seek professional help to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Adding supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids to their diet may also help reduce shedding and clumps of fur in cats.
We put a strong emphasis on preventive medicine as well as low-stress handling to help pets have a more pleasant veterinary experience. We use Fear Free techniques for every cat and dog to help reduce their anxiety and calm their nerves. Just like how weather and environmental conditions can cause our skin to become irritated and cracked, the same thing can happen to a cat’s skin. It takes a lot of stress for a cat to reach this point, but if your pet has recently gone through some major changes in life, they may be very anxious and upset. I'm a practicing holistic veterinarian offering house call veterinary care in Seattle, Washington.
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It’s important to get your cat treated as quickly as possible because UTIs can be just as painful for a cat as they are for humans. “There are some supplementsopens in a new tab that I recommend, but it depends on what is causing the underlying issue. If it is truly an allergic skin disease causing the hair loss, then I will recommend a high-quality omega fatty acid supplement, such as Welactinopens in a new tab. Omega fatty acids (specifically EPA and DHA) help strengthen the skin’s innate barrier and make it less susceptible to allergic reaction.
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Be prepared to discuss your pet’s medical history, any medications or toxins they may have ingested, and any symptoms you have observed. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination while paying special attention to hot spots and the condition of the skin. A smear, culture, or biopsy of the affected area may be required for analysis.
Psychogenic alopecia is a compulsive disorder that drives a cat to groom itself obsessively. Excessive licking and chewing leads to hair loss, and some cats will even pull out their own hair. A vet will only arrive at this diagnosis if all other underlying conditions can be ruled out. In many cases, this type of alopecia caused by over-grooming is a result of stress or anxiety. Calming solutions or adjustments to the environment can help these cats stop barbering to promote hair regrowth. Flea allergy dermatitis, an allergy to a flea's saliva when they bite a pet, can lead to hair loss.
There are several skin parasites that may lead to hair loss and skin changes through excessive itching, scratching, and licking. Most commonly, these are fleas and various types of mites, such as ear mites, canine and feline scabies, walking dandruff, and feline demodicosis. Should you notice excessive hair loss, unusual cat behavior, or other symptoms like the ones listed above, bring your cat in for a veterinary assessment to determine the underlying cause. Thankfully, most hormonal disorders are treatable through medication. It’s very common in older cats, so if you are concerned your cat has a thyroid condition, take them to the vet.
Anal gland issues can cause irritation around the anus below the tail, and a cat with psychogenic alopecia will not have hair loss on its neck or face. Some types of cat hair loss involve the hair falling out spontaneously, while others are caused by cats overgrooming, biting, or scratching themselves. Occasionally, alopecia is nothing to worry about, such as the small areas of hair loss many cats develop in the area between their ears and eyes. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications and topical ointments to treat physical problems, such as skin erosions, thyroid imbalance, or other hormonal imbalances.
It is important to note that just because you don’t see signs of itchiness, that doesn’t mean your cat is not itchy. Often, cats hide those behaviors, only to gnaw and scratch when they are hidden from view. Try switching your cat to a different protein diet and see whether the situation changes. Also, use hypoallergenic pet wipes for grooming and check for any changes. If cats feel muscle or joint pain under their skin, they may lick the area to try and ease the pain. Hair loss or skin irritation may occur when this behavior is done in excess.
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites won’t hesitate to set up camp on your cat’s tail. If you suspect that parasites may be causing your cat’s hair loss, get a professional to do a thorough examination and check for any signs of fleas, or other parasitic infections. You may also want to ask your vet about using flea control products such as shampoos and sprays. Ask your veterinarian about safe topical treatments that can relieve pain and itching. Your cat has a better chance of healing if you break the cycle of scratching and biting the inflamed skin.
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