Causes and Treatments of Fur Loss

Visitors ask questions about why their cats lose fur.

Hair Loss and Scabs on Skin

My cat has recently started losing hair on her back, by the base of her tail. I also noticed a scabby patch, which might be caused by her rolling around, because she is in heat. Is there anything that I can do for her?

~~Erica

Expert Reply

Hi Erica,

Hair loss can be caused by any number of things, from stress to illness. The scabs concern me a bit. Is it possible that she has picked up a flea or parasite? If she were my cat, I would probably go ahead and take her to the veterinarian to have this analyzed. If you can take in a sample of her feces as well, the vet will be able to check for worms at the same time. You may want to have her spayed, while there, if you are not planning to breed her.

Also, I would look at whether she is eating and drinking normally. If so, then it is not as much of an emergency, but she should still see the vet.

Good luck!

~~Lori

Cat's Fur Loss

My ten-year-old cat is losing hair from his sides and back, as well as his tail and back legs. What could be causing this?

~~Sandy

Expert Reply

Hi Sandy,

There are many different things that can cause fur loss. They include:

• Hormones
• Fleas and parasites
• Ringworm infections
• Stress
• Over grooming
• Allergies
• Illness

I would probably take a look at both the symptoms and your environment to try to isolate this a bit before rushing him to the vet. For example:

• Have there been any major upheavals or changes that have stressed the cat? Examples might include a move, a new pet in the house or someone leaving the home for college or other reasons.

• Is it possible the cat has fleas? Does he go outside? Could the fleas have been carried in another way? Has he been biting and digging at his fur?

• Have there been any changes in his diet or other things that might cause an allergy, such as new carpeting?

• Has he shown any behavior changes in appetite or thirst?

Unless the bare areas seem irritated, or he is showing other symptoms, such as loss of appetite or change in litter box habits, I would probably just wait and mention this problem at your next regular vet appointment.

~~Lori

Cat Losing Hair on Ears

I have two female black cats that are about 14 years old. I just noticed a bald spot on the back of one of my cat's ears. Everything else seems normal. She is eating and drinking well, and we can pet her like always. What is this?

~~Regina

Expert Reply

Hi Regina,

Fur loss seems to be one of the most common occurrences in elderly felines. There are many factors that can cause fur loss. Here are a few of the causes:

• Hormones
• Fleas and parasites
• Stress
• Over grooming
• Allergies
• Illness

In an elderly cat such as yours, it is likely hormonal or illness related, but I wouldn't rule out things such as fleas or ear mites that may have caused her to dig and scratch the fur off. It is also possible that your cat has developed an allergy to her food and may need a special food for sensitive skin.

If there is no skin irritation and the cat seems fine otherwise, I would probably just mention this at your next vet's appointment. If the fur loss grows worse or begins to spread, you may want to go ahead and take her in sooner, however.

~~Lori

Cat Losing Fur on Underside

My cat is losing hair on his underside and down the inside of his back legs. He is an indoor and outdoor cat. Also, he was a stray to begin with, so we don't know anything about his background. I need help figuring out why he is losing his hair.

~~Earline

Expert Reply

Hi Earline,

There are so many different things can cause fur loss, that it can be hard for me to narrow it down. You probably really need to take him to the vet. For one thing, he needs to be tested for some common stray cat diseases. He will also need to be vaccinated.

The fur loss could be caused by these factors:

• Hormones
• Fleas and parasites
• Stress
• Over grooming
• Allergies
• Illness

Is he eating and drinking normally? If so, then I wouldn't be as concerned as if he is not. It could just be fleas, or even stress from adjusting a new home. Even if he likes his new home, any change can stress a cat. Please check back and let us know what the vet says.

~~Lori

Unexplained Fur Loss

Hello, My cat Phoebe, age four, has been systematically losing her rear end and hind quarter hair since August. I have checked for fleas, bathed her, purchased a new collar and flea powder. It seemed as though she was no longer itching, and I have been watching to see if her hair was returning, when, in the last three days, she seems to have been showing signs of bald spots again. She is one of four cats, but no one else has these symptoms. Upon bathing her, I see no fleas or flea dirt. Please help ~~Melina

Expert Reply

Hi Melina,

Since you have treated her so thoroughly for fleas, I doubt this is the culprit. As I've mentioned in other responses under Ask the Cat Experts, there are many different reasons for fur loss. You stated that you had three other cats in your household. Are any of those new to the household? Stress can sometimes cause cats to lose their fur, and bringing a new pet into the home is a major stress for existing cats.

Other things that might cause this type of hair loss include nervous habits, such as over grooming, allergies (cats are allergic to the same things humans are) and illness. A ringworm infection also causes the type of patchy hair loss you describe, so this is another avenue for your vet to investigate.

Since she is showing no other signs of illness, I don't believe that is the problem. However, if she has any change in eating habits, is drinking less or using the litter more or less, please take her to the vet immediately.

Otherwise, I would try to address some of the possible causes on my own until your next vet visit. Eliminate any stress that you are able to, switch to a high quality food for sensitive skin and remove anything that might cause an allergic reaction that has been added to your home around summer, when you indicate this problem started.

~~Lori.

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