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It can be even more perplexing to find that this patch is seemingly only on their tail, especially if you haven’t noticed any changes in their behavior. Cats are secretive creatures and often hide any causes of illness or injury from their owners. You should also talk to your vet about giving your cat supplements to help with hair loss.
Psychogenic Alopecia
Treatment usually involves medicated dips or application of a topical flea and tick medication under veterinary supervision. These problems can cause the cat to tear out its own hair due to excessive stereotypic licking or excessive grooming. The hair loss will occur in these cases in areas where the feline reaches with his mouth and we can usually see them on the sides, perineal region, and hind limbs.
Plan to Reduce Stress
When left untreated, hair loss in cats can spread and underlying skin problems may worsen. Yes, there are several causes of hair loss in cats, including overgrooming, stress, and medical issues. We cover the more common conditions below, but this is hardly a complete list.
21 Cats That Don't Shed (or Shed Less) - Cheapism
21 Cats That Don't Shed (or Shed Less).
Posted: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Diet Rich In Essential Fatty Acids
Talk with your veterinarian if your pet could be affected by any of these. If there is still no obvious reason for your cat’s feline alopecia at the end of your vet’s investigation, you may be referred to a veterinary dermatologist or allergist. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs. If you’re not sure if the hair loss is seasonal shedding, try giving your cat a bath.
Your vet can perform a physical exam and run tests to determine the underlying cause of your cat’s hair loss. Certain medications, like anti-parasitic or anti-inflammatory drugs, may cause hair loss in cats. If you recently started your cat on a new medication and notice that it’s losing fur, talk to your vet about switching to another drug or changing the dosage. To help your cat get rid of ringworm, look for topical ointments or shampoos that contain antifungal ingredients.
Some unusual cases may need additional testing like a skin biopsy or may be referred to a specialist veterinary dermatologist. There are several different definitions of awn hairs, depending on the breed of cat, but awn hairs usually form the basic coat. In some breeds, the (finer) awn hairs may be the same length as the guard hairs, while in other breeds, such as the Manx, the guard hairs are longer. Whiskers are the long, thick, tactile hairs extending from the sides of the muzzle, the cheeks, above the eyes, the cheeks, and at the outside of the lower legs on cats.
A deshedding tool can also help remove excess fur from your cat’s coat. Make sure you use the correct brush for your cat’s coat type, as this will ensure that all the dead hair is removed. If anxiety is an issue for your cat, there are ways to reduce their anxiety levels, such as by providing them with a safe environment and engaging them in playtime activities. Carefully inspect your cat for fleas, mites, rashes, redness, bumps, or scabs that could indicate a skin infection. This disease is caused by a reaction to flea saliva and is common in cats aged 3 to 6 years.
Arrange Regular Visits to the Vet
In addition to these symptoms, the cat may have coughing, conjunctivitis, sneezing, and make noises when breathing. To determine that it is this disease, the veterinarian must perform the relevant tests and exclude other pathologies. The treatment usually consists of medication to control itching, corticosteroids, or immunomodulators that work on the immune system.
Visit your vet, who'll be able to identify the cause of your cat's hair loss and the best possible solution. Vitamin A and vitamin E are also vital in keeping your cat's coat healthy and preventing hair loss; these regulate cell growth and act as natural antioxidants. A deficiency of these can result in problems with how your cat produces the main component of hair, keratin.
Ringworm is actually a fungal infection that produces circular patches of hair loss as the fungus infects the hair shafts. It is generally treated with various dips or oral medications, but some vets also recommend shaving the infected cat completely to help control the fungus. Once the ringworm fungus is gone, the hair should regrow, but know it may take several weeks or even months. As the most common endocrine disorder that older felines experience, hyperthyroidism is a leading cause of feline hair loss. Cats with this disease usually lose hair in patches, and they may shed excessively. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, greasy or unkempt hair, excessive thirst and urination, increased vocalization or activity, and insatiable appetite.
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. Before you have a conclusive diagnosis from a vet, don’t freak yourself out. And even once you receive confirmation, know that cat cancer is far from untreatable. With the technology available today—including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery—many older cats with cancer are able to live long, comfortable lives.
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