Noticing your guy is losing a tumid amount of hair can be quite alarming , but there are many reasons for hair deprivation in cat . Some , such as fleas , are well-to-do to treat , whereas others necessitate a diagnosing and treatment by a veterinarian . find out about the possible cause can help oneself you get your computerized axial tomography the help they need .
Why Is My Cat Losing Hair?
pilus loss , also sleep with asalopecia , is broadly speaking due to one of the following upset .
Hyperthyroidism
As the most common hormone upset that older feline experience , thyrotoxicosis is a precede cause of feline haircloth deprivation . cat with this disease usually fall behind hair in spot , and they may shed overly . Other symptom of thyrotoxicosis let in weight loss , greasy or unkempt haircloth , excessive thirst and urination , increased vox or activity , and insatiable appetite . Luckily , in most cases , thyrotoxicosis can be easy controlled with medication orradioactive iodine therapy(I-131 ) .
Hypothyroidism
A rare condition in kat , hypothyroidism do the thyroid gland to get poor stage of thyroid gland hormones to maintain a normal metamorphosis . The condition causes hair loss , as well of a legion of other symptoms that admit weakness , weight gain , and sluggishness .
Fleas
Flea allergy dermatitis , an allergic reaction to a flea ’s spit when they bite a positron emission tomography , can lead to whisker red ink . After sustain flea bites , a Arabian tea ’s focus becomes scratching to relieve the intense itching . The creature will go to any lengths to reach the agitated hide , including prick off hairsbreadth in the bothersome areas . cat with flea should be treated immediately to avoid further , more serious complications to their overall health , including tapeworms or Bartonella .
Allergies
Hair departure and itching are common symptoms when a cat has an allergic reaction to something it has feed or come into contact with in the surround . Tracking down the cause of the allergy is the most difficult part of name the problem . Once the allergen has been identified , discussion unremarkably involves eliminating the heart and soul from the cat ’s dieting or environment . As the allergen works its way out of a cat ’s system , itchy rashes begin to blow over away . A vet may also dictate medication to relieve the unsound of the itch . Once the system returns to normal , most computerized tomography will regrow their pelt .
Pyoderma
Pyodermais a bacterial infection that commonly localize in when the skin is traumatise from grave and bite . The contagion produces localized hair loss as well as a purulent discharge or pus that freshness over the lesions . Great care must be taken to clean house away the expelling to further healing , but since pyoderma is a lowly transmission , it ’s still crucial to determine the cause of the vexation .
Demodectic Mange
Mange mitesburrow under the pelt and can cause extreme itching , even though they ca n’t be seen . Cats commonly develop ill-humoured lesions and patchy areas of haircloth deprivation . Mange can be diagnosed via pelt scrapings view under a microscope . Treatment ordinarily involves medicated dips or program of a topical flea and tick medication under veterinary supervision .
Ringworm
Ringwormis in reality a fungous infection that produces circular patches of hair personnel casualty as the fungus infects the hair shafts . It is mostly treated with various dips or oral medications , but some vets also commend shaving the septic cat completely to help control the fungus . Once theringworm fungusis go , the hair should regrow , but love it may take several weeks or even months .
Notoedric Mange
In some cases , hair loss in cats can be brought on by other lesser - make out causes such asNotoedres cati , more commonly referred to asnotoedric mange . This is a parasite that causes alopecia in bozo . whisker departure fromNotoedres catiis seen on the ears , neck , eyelids , and other facial and upper consistence regions . This eccentric of mange is rare buthighly contagiousto other pets and humans . Treatment for notoedric mange is similar to that of demodectic mange .
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing ’s disease , also know ashyperadrenocorticism , is a far less usual cause of hair loss and is quite rare in kat . Other symptoms that will occur concomitantly are an increased appetite and hungriness as well as mild to knockout lethargy . You may find that your cat ’s skin seems thin , or the pet your computed tomography once enjoyed may now agitate it . The pilus deprivation connect with Cushing ’s disease is two-sided , meaning what is missing on one side of the animal ’s dead body will be almost exactly the same as what is leave out on the other . by and large , this hair’s-breadth loss is site along a computed tomography ’s sides , but it can occur anywhere on the body .
Congenital Hypotrichosis
Unlike rightful alopecia which leads to hair’s-breadth loss , congenital hypotrichosis only causes hair cutting . CAT are born with this condition and may be born with thin hair and balding or lose their hair as they develop . harmonize toProVet Health Care , this hereditary condition typically affects certain cat breeds , includingBirman , Burmese , Siamese , andDevon Rexcats .
Eosinophilic Granuloma
The exact crusade ofeosinophilic granulomais not live , but veterinarians speculate that it could be relate to an underlie allergy and may have a genetic component . This condition typically make unwritten ulcers and get at wound that cause hair loss on the back of the second joint and stomach . Your veteran can decide if your computed tomography ’s hair loss is related to eosinophilic granuloma by examining a sample of a lesion under the microscope . Treatmenttypically consists of steroid or immunosuppressive medication and a path of antibiotics if the skin has develop a secondary bacterial infection .
Feline Endocrine Alopecia
Feline endocrine alopeciais actually a rather rare circumstance characterized by whisker going on the abdomen , inner legs , and venereal realm . The precise reason of the condition is not presently known , but it ’s trust to be link up to endocrine levels . For this rationality , it can be challenge to identify an rudimentary endocrine outlet , so your vet may have to execute various diagnostics .
Psychogenic Alopecia
Psychogenic alopeciais a compulsive upset that drives a kat to groom itself compulsively . extravagant lacing and chewing leads to pilus loss , and some cats will even commit out their own hair . A veterinarian will only arrive at this diagnosis if all other underlying condition can be ruled out . In many cases , this type of alopecia have by over - grooming is aresult of stressor anxiety . calm down solutions or adjustments to the surround can serve these cats stop barbering to promote hair regrowth .
Pain
nuisance could be another underlying campaign of alopecia , peculiarly if you notice hair passing over your cat ’s stick . CAT with arthritis often work out their uncomfortable joints in an cause to see relief . Feline arthritis is more unwashed than most pet owner realize ; study advise over90 per centum of aged catsover the age of 12 years have evidence of arthritic joints . Look out for other signs of arthritis , such as walking stiffly , reluctance to jump , and muscle wasting . Your vet can assist make your cat more comfortable with joint supplements andmedications for pain .
Poor Nutrition
Cats on an unhealthful diet will be deficient in crucial vitamin and nutrients , which canlead to brittle fur and hair’s-breadth loss . tolerable volumes of digestible protein plus vitamin like A and due east are necessary for sizeable skin and hair . Owners who make their own best-loved intellectual nourishment must be especially careful to habituate aveterinarian - approved recipesupplemented with a vitamin blend .
Preventing Cat Hair Loss
Although there are some causes of hairsbreadth loss that you have little control over , there are a few thing you may do to at family to help make trusted your cat ’s cutis and pelt remain levelheaded .
Feed Your Cat a Nutritious Diet
The best way to avoid whisker loss triggered by a hapless dieting is to run your hombre a intelligent solid food from the onrush . Choose foods gamy in protein where the first fixings is meat . Some veterinarians warn that fish - based foodsmay lead to thyrotoxicosis ; however , this is broadly only the character with very broken terminal food for thought . Always choose a dieting phrase for the correctcat life stagecoach .
Provide a Healthy Environment for Your Cat
If you permit your cats to savour the outdoors , be certain they are up to particular date withall vaccinations . Not only will this keep them from experiencing any preventable illnesses that could lead to hair’s-breadth personnel casualty , vaccination will also stave in off much more serious and peradventure fatal diseases .
Keep Up With Preventive Care
utilise a preventative treatment that protects against all parasite , including fleas , mites , heartworms , and ticks . Be sure that any preventative you utilize is specifically contrive for cats , as many canine production are toxic to cats . It ’s also crucial to see your veterinarian for unremarkable wellness exams and baseline blood work to supervise for any variety in thyroid levels or endocrine diseases .
Offer Enrichment and Minimize Stress
Even if they have no other underlying precondition , cats who are bored or anxious can turn to over - training . verify you provide your cat with stimulating activities like cat trees , interactive toys , and bird watching chance . Pheromones can help cats manage with nerve-wracking events or changes .
Seek Veterinary Care for Fur Loss in Cats
The info presented here is not meant to replace professional veterinary diagnosing and handling . If your cat displays any symptoms of hair loss , ask your vet to canvas your positron emission tomography to get a right diagnosing and discourse plan . call up , your computed axial tomography ’s pelt protects its skin , so fur personnel casualty can become a serious problem if left untreated .