Causes for Hair Loss in Cats

Feline Hair Loss

Unless you're into hairless cat breeds, the sight of a molting feline is generally cause for alarm. The only thing more difficult than watching your cat grow bald patches is figuring out the cause for the hair loss. This is truly no easy feat, and most vets will need to perform a thorough examination and a few lab tests before a correct diagnosis can be reached. Sometimes a bit of trial and error is involved before the right treatment is identified and administered. Meanwhile, hair loss continues and owners become nearly as distressed as their pets.

The good news is that most cats will regrow their fur once they receive appropriate care for their situation.

List of Causes for Hair Loss in Cats

There are dozens of causes for hair loss in cats. Some are relatively easy to identify and the treatment is fairly straightforward. Others are not so easily dealt with.

The following list of the most common causes for feline hair loss includes a bit of information about various ailments and the signs they present in addition to balding. This information is not meant to be used as a substitute for competent veterinary care. If your cat is experiencing hair loss or any other signs of illness, consult your vet right away.

The Importance of Early Detection

As with any health care problem, it's always best to spot signs of trouble early and seek treatment before major damage is done.

• Groom your cat regularly. This can be as simple as brushing through the fur several times a week to check for parasites, scabs and similar signs of a problem. If the fur is virtually pulling out in your hands beyond what you'd expect from normal shedding, it could be a sign of an underlying illness.

• Observe your cat's own grooming habits. Compulsive grooming can lead to hair loss in cats, so if you notice your cat is always bathing itself and can't seem to relax, it could be a sign of stress. Some compulsive groomers will literally pull out their own fur. Check for bald spots along your cat's sides, tummy and insides of the legs.

• Seek veterinary attention right away. Delaying could allow a small problem to grow into a big one. The sooner your cat receives treatment, the better chance he'll have to regrow his hair. In the event the hair is unable to grow back, you may at least have stopped the loss from becoming worse.