LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

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Hi Dr. Maqxfield,

You're absolutely right. Thank you for sharing your expertise. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Cushing's disease is very rarely seen in cats and very low on rule out lists for skin and hair problems. It's found far more in canine patients.

-- Contributed by: Christine Maqxfield, DVM

Hi Lynn,

Since you've already tried everything else and really need to get him neutered and get his shots for his own safety and although it isn't ideal, you may need to ask the vet for a sedative. Wrap the pill in some lunch meat and hand feed to the cat. When he grows drowsy, he should be much easier to handle. Hopefully, with time, he will be much easier to transport.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

This is a stray cat that I literally saved. He was very sick. He is only tame with me and I cannot pick her up or get her in a car to take her to the vet. I have given her penicillian myself. What can i do without taking him to the vet? He is in good health now except for the for quarter size spots of hairloss that showed up about 4 days ago. I have a flea collar on him so I don't think it's fleas. He is always outside and i have been unsuccessful in bringing him to the vet for his shots and to be nuetered

-- Contributed by: Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Have you checked her for parasites? Fleas and worms. If you've ruled that out, then it could be anything from a change in the type of food you are using to stress, as you mentioned. If the condition worsens or does not improve based on those things, I'd go ahead and take her to the vet to be on the safe side.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is 8 years old and has in the last 6 months lost all her hair on her hind end. She still has good eating, drinking habits and she is active. She doesn't seem to scratch herself excessively and still grooms herself. Why has she lost so much hair. There are 3 male cats in house, so at first we thought it was nerves but now we question that.

-- Contributed by: Lynn

Hi Trish,

$500.00 for blood tests sounds pretty pricey. Even if you had to drive a ways, I would try to look at some vets in other areas. Country vets are often the least expensive, but not always. Some cats overgroom and bit out of nervousness. Since she is persnickety anyway and only likes you, it may be that she is just a nervous cat.

I'm not as concerned with the vomiting as it is occasional. Many cats have problems with hairballs. Switching her to a special cat food for this or for sensitive stomachs may be all she needs.

If that still doesn't help the situation, then you may want to discuss with the vet if there is anyway to run just the basic tests. Explain to him that $500.00 is out of your budget right now. He may be willing to work with you. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat has hair loss on her legs... i dont know how often she grooms herself but i have caught her biting herself while she grooms... but our vet said it would cost $500 for blood tests. she also wakes us up in the middle of the night puking once in awhile though, like once a week to every 2 weeks. shes lost weight though. and the vet couldnt tell us what he thinks it could be. shes a cranky cat only likes me.. but other then that she doesnt seem to be in any discomfort that i see... and the vet i go to is the cheapest in town... so i dont know what to do.

-- Contributed by: trish

Hi Jenna,

The weight loss combined with diarrhea and fur loss have me very concerned. You need to get Shandy to a vet and have the vet run some blood tests. These will likely help him or her see what is going on or if further testing needs to be done. Hope Shandy feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 4 year old, American Shorthair, Shandy, has been suffering from diarrhea for a while and is continuing to lose weight, so much so that she is all skin and bones. Recently her hair has begun to fall out on her arms and legs and on her belly. It really has me worried that Shandy could die from whatever is wrong with her. A friend suggested that it could be a type of worm affecting her, but I thought I would see if you know any other diseases it could be, based on the symptoms. I want to know how to help her because I have 3 other cats too, and I don't want any of them to get infected if it is contagious or can be passed on. Thanks so much, Jenna

-- Contributed by: Jenna

Hi Ashley,

$252 is pretty pricey for a vet visit. I think you should phone around and try to find a better rate than that so you can get your cats some treatment. The most common cause of fur loss is fleas or other parasites. Then I'd look at allergies and stress. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat's are losing there hair and i have no clue why what to do but the vet cost $252 dollars and no one wants to pay that much with this stuf going own in this and that is just to much for the vet so if any one can post another comment or have some one please i look on here every day and i want to know what you think or has your cats had it but there will be news coming from me more about and please contect a special cat doctor that you know thank you for listening to my problem thank you

-- Contributed by: ashley

Hi Jen,

It sounds like he may have dry skin. Just like the heat can dry our skin out, it can trouble our cats too. I would go ahead and invest in a humidifier for your home, or at least the room your cat prefers to hang out in. This will benefit his skin and yours as well.

If this doesn't take care of the problem, talk to your vet about special shampoos and supplements you can offer to him. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is about 7 yrs old. the last few years he has started to lick his back until his skin is raw. He does this mostly during the winter months. This year has been the worst. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Jen

Hi,

I would try to think if there is anything new at all in the home that your cat may be allergic to. For example, new cat food, litter or plants in the home.

That is the most likely culprit. However, sometimes illnesses can cause cats to lose hair as the stress takes a toll on the body. For now, I would probably just keep an eye on your cat. If he or she continues to lose fur or starts to show other symptoms, or if the condition does not start to improve, then I'd make a trip to the vet.

Is it possible the children are irritating your cat? I have children and while I love them dearly, they were not always gentle with my pets when they were little. I had to constantly remind them. This could cause both the biting and stress, which can result in hair loss. You may also want to keep an eye on that situation and see how things are going with the children and the cat and the interactions.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a 3 year old tabby, up to date on shots, indoor cat that suddenly has bald spots above eyes. Any ideas? The cat is not lethargic, but has instead started biting my children, which have been around since the cat was just a kitten...

-- Contributed by: Hair Loss above eyes

Hi Lacey,

The most likely culprit is some type of parasite. However, since the area is bleeding, she may have wounded herself or have an infection. Or it may just itch and she has overgroomed and caused it to bleed. You made the right decision to schedule a vet appointment. The vet will be able to determine the cause and prescribe some ointment or medication to help clear the issue up.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

i have a 4 year old female long haired grey cat and a big patch the size of a mini watermellon of hair missing on her belly, sometimes i notice it bleeding im not to sure what exactly it is? any suggestions she is very well taken care of and i have scheduled a vet appointment but if anyone has any ideas please let me know

-- Contributed by: lacey

Hi Jackie,

Have you noticed any patterns? For example, does he do this when the weather grows cooler? If so, it's possible that he has dry skin from the heat kicking on and that can be easily remedied by purchasing a humidifier, for example.

Or, if you switch his food and he does this, it could be a food allergy.

Or, he may have an allergy to a plant or any other thing you've brought into the house.

One of the most common culprits is fleas and parasites, so you'll want to rule that out as well.

Good luck. I understand the frustration of paying tons of vet bills and not really having the answer. Sometimes it is hard to isolate allergies in particular.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have an older male cat. Several years ago he started pulling his hair out on his sides. Just where he can reach by turning his head. No where else. I spent hundreds at the vet with no results. I live in the country, and have 5 other cats. I really can't affrod more vet bills. After the first time he quit, his hair grew back, and he looked great. We thought yeah!, it's over what ever it was, but no! He started again. He leaves wads of hair here and there. This is driving me nuts. I don't know what else to do for the poor fellow.

-- Contributed by: Jackie W.

Hi Sandy,

Have you treated her for fleas? Fleas are the most likely culprit. However, she also could have rubbed some of the fur off, which sounds possible with the symmetrical sites. I would just keep an eye on her for now, since she seems otherwise healthy. If you notice the fur loss increasing or any other symptoms, I'd go ahead and take her to the vet to make sure everything is okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My ten-year old cat has hair loss at the top base of her tail and at two symetrical sites on the top of her body near the tail. The skin at these sites looks normal and the hair is not completely gone, just considerably thinned. She doesn't itch the areas, is eating and drinking normally, and has her usual degree of activity. She is usually outside several hours a day and always is inside at night. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Sandy

Hi Lisa,

Does your cat go outside? Is it possible she got in a fight with another animal. If not, it may be fleas or some other parasite, or she may have cut herself on something and it is irritated.

I'd keep an eye on it for now and if it grows larger or looks infected, I would take her to the vet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

i've just noticed by cat has a big clump of fur missing on the back of her neck,her skin looks sore. what could cause this please i am very worried about it

-- Contributed by: lisa

Hi Ryan,

Since she goes outdoors, the most likely culprit is a parasite, with fleas being the most common. Treat all the animals for fleas and look into bombing your house with a flea bomb (remove anything living from the house for the time indicated when you do this).

If the hair loss is caused by fleas, it will then stop and begin to clear up after several weeks.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my black cat has been losing a lot of hair on the back 1/3 of her body. She's pretty much bald from her hips down. She's been sneaking outside a lot. Lately, though, we've noticed that another of our indoor cats is starting to lose fur as well. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Ryan R.

Hi Jessica,

Unless you saved a sample from the fur, it would be hard to pinpoint what the substance might have been. Likely it was a chemical that irritated her skin and caused the fur loss. It's a good sign that it isn't red or irritated. It will likely grow back. It's also smart to have given her a bath. Cats like to clean themselves and if she'd licked that substance it might have made her very ill as many things are toxic to cats.

I would keep an eye on her for now as long as she doesn't have any other symptoms. If you notice that she is lethargic or acting ill, I'd go ahead and take her to the vet. He can do bloodwork to try to pinpoint any problems.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Can anyone help?

My cat came inside last week and the bottom half of her (belly and legs) was covered in something i couldnt identify. I gave her a bath and thought nothing more of it until a couple days ago when her hair started to fall out.

She's now almost bald and its only where she had whatever it was on her last week. I can see the hair falling out in clumps. the way its falling out reminds me of the way hair is put on toy dolls, in clumps sewed into spots if that makes any sense.

It dosn't seem to be causing her any pain or discomfort but it does look pretty bad.

Does anybody no what kind of substance could have caused this?

Oh... if it helps any her skin isnt red or iratated at all.

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hi Rhiannon,

It could be stress or a vitamin deficiency from all the pregnancies. Another common cause is fleas or allergies.

I would probably go ahead and take a trip to the vet, since the fur loss is so severe. He or she can test the cat for illnesses, vitamin deficiencies and just make sure that all her organs are functioning correctly. The vet may also want to check her thyroid.

This will ease your mind of a lot of worries, and will help you seek the best course of treatment.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi my cat is 2.5 years and she has had 3 litters but we have started to notice that she is losing loads of her fur and has thin areas. We had the same problem with our ferret and she is now on antibotics and her fur is growing back really well. We think are cat maybe pregnant again and wondered if she maybe losing it coz of this as she nevers goes outside as shes a in door cat. Can anyone help me as really worried thanks

-- Contributed by: rhiannon

Hi Hilary,

If he has stopped scratching, the problem may begin to clear up on its own and the new food will likely help a lot.

Have you checked him for parasites? This is often a common cause of fur loss, especially around the tail.

Some cats start to have pretty serious skin and thus fur problems as they age. You'll notice more shedding and dry skin, etc. The new food will likely help a lot. Some vets recommend oatmeal shampoos and bathing, but cats hate this and unless you have trained him from a kitten to tolerate a warm bath, it may not be worth the trauma.

You can also try brushing him daily, which he likely will enjoy, to help loosen any dead skin and remove loose fur. This will also help with hair balls.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My male cat is 14. This past year he has had unspecified allergies - diet has been changed to accommodate and I've also changed the litter to 'wheat based'. Initially he was scratching and was given chortisone which was effective. He lost a tremendous amount of hair over the past year and lately this has increased. He has most recently lost virtually all hair around his anus and base of his tail. There are other very thin areas on the head, and neck. The itching has stopped and the 'hot spots' appeared to have disappeared. I'm wondering what on earth to do next. He's active, eating, drinking, etc. Help please!

-- Contributed by: hilary

Hi Stefanie,

Since this coincided with a move, it may be from either stress or a mild allergy to something in the new apartment.

I would go ahead and take him to the vet, because you may need ointment for the area, but I wouldn't worry too much. As long as he is eating and drinking normally and doesn't seem lethargic, it is likely nothing major.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My Beastie is 15 years old. He is primarily an outside cat (by his choice I might add.) We've had to remove his 2 upper canines due to fox tails several years ago. But aside from that, he's been in perfect health. He can't groom himself vary well I'd guess without the teeth, but the vet said he was a picture of health for his age. We moved to a new residence 1.5 weeks ago in a new city. I gave him my customary 3 day lock down in the house to get acclimated to the house & smells. I noticed today a very large patch (approx. 4" in diameter) on his side just formard of his thigh thats missing all of the outer long hair & has crusty white flakes that resemble sugar flakes from a glazed doughnut. Any idea what it could be? I am Worried sick. Stefanie

-- Contributed by: s_edwards@rocketmail.com

Hi Peggy,

Since she is an older cat, I'd go ahead and take her to the vet. The dull coat and shedding could be caused from anything to thyroid problems, adrenal problems, poor dietary habits to an illness.

Also, with her losing weight, you'll want to get to the root cause of this problem as well. I would write down as many details as you can remember to take with you to the vet. The more details he or she has, the easier it will be for him to diagnose her with minimal testing.

He'll likely want to start with some blood tests to rule out renal failure and some issues like that. He may then move on to checking thyroid functions and other underlying problems.

Hope she feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my alley is about 13 years old....she is an outside cat....i noticed today that her fur really looked bad...it looked dirty, dry,and very dull in colori brushed her and her fur kept coming out..most of the underneath fur was looked like it did yesterday"black and soft...she's also getting thin.....any comments I would be grateful for

-- Contributed by: peggy

Hi Nancy,

It could be stress related. It sounds like your cats are going through a lot right now. They grieve for lost pets just like we do. I have a kitty right now who has been very sad since her sister passed away. We are giving her a lot of extra attention and play time, and it's slowly getting better.

However, it is unusual for both cats to have such a severe reaction at one time. I would be more suspicious of fleas or a food allergy. Again, unless they are from the same litter, them both having the same allergy would be unusual.

I would hunt for parasites first and then begin experimenting with different food choices. Although it isn't impossible that they could be allergic to the litter, it is more likely food related than litter related.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cats have been experiencing hair loss; My male cat started first and now my littler female cat is showing signs on her belly. My vet thinks it is stress-related as we lost one of our kitties due to cancer within 2 months and I started a new job and have not been home 24 hours a day anymore. I switched food and litter when my cat with cancer got sick. I noticed my male cat seemed a bit pink but nothing seem to come of it for awhile. I am feeding Instinct, EVO and tried Wellness dry and Indigo Moon (by solid gold) dry. My litter is SwheatScoop. Has anyone had hair loss problems feeding these foods?

-- Contributed by: Nancy

Hi Deanna,

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. However, if you want additional testing and the vet is ignoring your requests, I would try a different vet and see what he or she has to say. Vets can do bloodwork to test for disease and even do skin tests to find out if your cat has allergies.

If your cat is fighting with the other cat, the hair loss many also be caused by stress. However, the only way to be sure of that is to rule out other issues first.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have 3 cats, one of my male cats who is 8 yrs old has had issues with hair loss on and off for several years. In the past it would happen about once a year and the vet would give a depo shot and he would be fine. Since Feb of this year he has been having flair ups every 4-6 wks. I moved last year and switched vets but they were giving the same treatment the last vet used, but I am not getting the same results. I asked if they could do further testing but all they want to do is continue with the shots. They have tried giving a double dose but it doesn't last any longer. I have switched to an organic food with no corn, wheat or soy and his coat has improved but he is still has a hot spot on his back that is starting to go thin. I think part of his issue with hair loss on his legs is fighting with my other male cat and then he over cleans it. Any suggestions on what I need to ask the vet to do or should I go to a different one?

-- Contributed by: Deanna

Hi Barry,

It sounds like she may have some sort of parasite or skin condition because of the brown scabs. This likely isn't anything serious and can easily be treated with some topical ointment.

You will have to take her to the vet to have her exact condition diagnosed and find out what type of medicine will work best.

Since she otherwise seems healthy, this isn't anything to be overly worried about. It likely just makes her uncomfortable. However, left untreated it could grow worse over time.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hey, One of my cats (3 years old) started losing her fur around the base of her tail a few months ago. The fur started to turn grey and then started to fall out leaving large bald patches. I have tried a few things to see if it is stress or something to do with diet but nothing seems to work permanently. Her fur starts to grow back slowly then suddenly she'll have even more bald spots and then it'll grow again and get worse again. She is grooming about the same, behaviour is the same and everything about her is the same except she is perhaps a little more... friendly? And meeps whenever you stroke her, although not in a "ouch" way, she loves a good stroking and does purr but she'll look at you and meep also. The skin is white but has flakey scab like patches no bigger than half a centimeter in diameter. So to recap... Mass hair loss, regrowth and worse hair loss (progressive up the spine). Brown scabs on the back but white skin, no changes in behaviour but loves it being stroked/scratched and the hair going dry, bristle like and grey first. Any ideas? If it's not stress, diet or allergies?

-- Contributed by: Barry

Hi Doris,

It's really hard to say without examining her more closely, because it could be any number of things. Since she appears otherwise healthy, the most likely cause is fleas, causing her dig or bite out her fur. Since the skin looks okay underneath, this would be my best guess on what is going on with her and what you should probably treat her and the kittens for.

However, there are also other conditions and even illnesses that can cause hair loss, so if that does not clear up the problem, then you may have to try to capture her and the kittens and make a trip to the vet.

Also, stress can sometimes cause hair loss and as a stray with kittens she likely has a lot of stress.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a stray mother cat who has clumps or spots of missing hair all over her body. They are not crusty looking whatsoever. She looks horrible, and can't take her to the vet because she's a stray and has babies. Any ideas on what it is? Thanks, Doris

-- Contributed by: Doris Peiffer

Kim, let us know how it turns out. If she has a lot of fleas, you may have to take her to the vet and have her dipped. Hope she feels better soon!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Thank you Lori. I just bought some Advantage flea treatment. I will see if that helps. I also found a hydro-cortisone spray for cats. Once the flea problem is resolved, I will try that on her hind legs. Try to stop the itching for her.

-- Contributed by: kim

Hi Kim,

Since she has little bumps, it is likely fleas or some type of parasite. I'd treat her for that first and see if that clears up the problem. The cuts are likely from her digging at the fleas or parasites. You may also want to treat her for worms to be on the safe side.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hello,I have a cat that we adopted from a shelter about 1 1/2 yrs ago. The past 6 mths or so, she is constantly licking her hind legs and tail. She is loosing all of her fur. She also has little bumps/cuts all around her neck. She is very actuve and eats normally. Could it be fleas? Or something more serious??

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi John,

The most likely cause is the fleas. He is likely biting and scratching to get rid of the itch. Once the fleas are cleared up, the fur will likely grow back.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hello, ihave a ginger tom @ 4 years old. The fur on his legs seems to be falling off him making appear thin and gaunt looking. Around his head, neck and shoulders it is still thick and shiny. He does have fleas at the moment, he has not been spayed.

-- Contributed by: john

Hi Debra,

Any kind of illness or stress to the cat's body can result in hair loss. It's possible that even though she is on the mend, her fur hasn't yet caught up. As long as she is otherwise healthy and tolerating the insulin well, I would just keep an eye on the fur loss issues for a bit and see if they clear up on their own now that she is getting back to normal blood sugar levels.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my maine coon is a diabetic gets insulin twice a day and seems to be tolerating it very well when I first brung her home she became more like herself but here lately she appears to be losing excessive amts of her fur I do not know if this is normal or if I should take her back to the vet--she is eating a high protein diet and drinks water really good so I don't know what would be causing this?

-- Contributed by: Debra

Hi Kim,

If you've ruled out parasites, then I'd look at possible things she might be allergic to. Here are the most common:

Cat food (try a very high quality brand to rectify this)
Carpet
Detergent
Plants

A vet can do a skin test to find out what allergies she might have, but I'd try switching her food and other common things first before going to the extra expense. If that doesn't clear up the problem, then you can have your vet investigate further.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We noticed two bare spots on our cat's abdomen about 5 months ago. Since then her abdomen is almost completely bare. She is healthy, good weight, is active and not lethargic. She does not scratch the area or over lick it and there is no irritation whatsoever on the skin. Her environment has not changed. I did notice the rest of her coat is a little dull. She is a 7yr old shorthaired light colored calico.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Kim

Hi Angela,

Thinning hair could be caused by any number of things, from a flea bit to a scratch to stress or food allergies. Since it is a small spot and he is not showing any other symptoms, I wouldn't be overly worried at this point. Just keep an eye on the area, make sure he is treated for fleas and if you notice any of the following symptoms get him to the vet:

Lethargy
Change in appetite
Change in drinking habits
More serious fur loss or sores

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

HI, I noticed today that my cat has my thinner hair on the inside of one of his front legs. Only on that leg though. Could this be an allergy maybe. It is tramatizing to take him to the vet and I was wondering if this is notmal, the hair thinning. Thanks for your help. Angela

-- Contributed by: angela

Hi Beth,

Fleas are probably the most common culprit for hair loss, but since you have her on flea meds that may not be the case. You may want to check for ear mites. They look like little black specks inside the ears and you can get some over-the-counter treatments for those.

Otherwise, it might just be hair loss from the stress of pregnancy and birth. Even humans will sometimes lose hair during pregnancy. Unless she is showing other symptoms, I'd wait and see if it clears up, once you've ruled out parasites.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My female cat recently had kittens but im noticing that she has some hair thinning around her neck and ears. Is it common for cats to lose hair after having kittens? Or could it be parasites? If it is, would she be contagious to her kittens or humans? Is there some over the counter meds to clear this up if it doesn't get better on its own? I have my cats on flea meds and the kittens are indoor but their mommy goes out occasionally. Thank you, Beth

-- Contributed by: Beth Floros

Hi Katie,

If the cat is full grown, the lack of weight gain is not really an issue, unless she is losing weight. However, I would be more concerned about the fur loss. I would first look at the most likely culprits, such as fleas and parasites. Then, I would look to food allergies. If this does not clear up the issue, then I'd take her to the vet. If you notice any of these symptoms, take her to the vet immediately:

Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Increased or decreased thirst
Severe weight loss

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat is lossing her fur and has not gained weight in the past year. Should I be concerned about this?

-- Contributed by: katie

Hi Shanna,

It can take a while to see a reversal in fur loss. I'm more concerned about him being outside with other cats in the area. Not only is he susceptible to feline leukemia, but other communicable diseases, such as Cat Flu. I would encourage you to at least consider bringing him indoors full time. I would also go ahead and have him tested for leukemia. Has he been vaccinated for it? There is a vaccine, but it only protects against this disease. It is good that he does not have fleas or worms. At least you know the irritation is being caused by something else. The hair loss could be from anything from a fight with another cat that caused a scratch and started him digging to a food allergy.

I would give the medicine a little time to work, but talk to the vet about your other concerns with him being an outdoor cat and see what she has to say.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My 2 year old cat is losing clumps of hair on his tail/backside region mostly. He was born with a crumpled tail but it has never seemed to bother him when people pet him. I have noticed him scratching at his chin area too and there seem to be scabs and a little hair loss there too. My vet said she didn't notice any fleas and that it didn't look like ringworm. She put him on antibiotics for 5 days since he had a little temp. and "his 3rd eyelid" showing typically indicates that they are not feeling well. She also gave me a topical spray to help relieve the itching. He's been on the meds for 2 days and I'm still noticing more hair loss on his tail area. She also gave me a deworming pill to give him once he's done with the meds (just because). What else should we be checking for? His weight was the same as 1 month ago, she didn't feel anything unusual while examining internal organs ... but I'm just not satisfied with the outcome. He's an outside cat with other cats in the neighborhood .. should we check for feline leukemia? Does this cause hair loss? He checked out negative as a kitten, but haven't had him checked since. Not sure what to do at this point ... wait it out to see if the antibiotics work?

-- Contributed by: Shanna

Good luck, Carolina!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

thanks i will buble bath her in anti flea bubbles. let you know results

-- Contributed by: carolina

Hello again.

Have you treated your cat for fleas? That may be the main culprit. Keep using the cream too. It can sometimes take a while for it to work.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Carolina,

She may still have a flea or two. While collars can be a good preventative, they don't always reach all the way down to the cat's tail (it depends on the collar). It might be best to have her dipped or shampooed to be certain. That is the most likely culprit for the biting.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Richard,

The most common cause of fur loss is probably parasites. I would first check for fleas and take a fecal sample to the vet to test for worms. If that does not solve the problem and he seems otherwise healthy, try to look for allergens, such as food allergies or allergies to new things you may have brought into your home.

If you notice lethargy or loss of appetite, then I'd go ahead and take him to the vet. Just be sure to crate him for his own safety as well as yours during transport.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

i live in Seville (Spain) im puting a cream that the vet told me it would heal the tail but it dosent work to well . what shoud i do?? she lives in the garden, never in side the house because my mom won't let her go in (she dosen't like cats)plz help

-- Contributed by: carolina

hi i have a street cat and she dosent stop biting her tail, she has a flee collor on. she has no hair on he top part of the tail, and little black dots on the wound she maid form scratching and biting, rigth know she im puttind a cream on her tail but dosent seam 2 work well, what should i do?

-- Contributed by: carolina

WE HAVE A 14-15 YEAR OLD NEUTERED MALE SHORT HAIR CAT. HE IS LOSING HAIR ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH BACK LEGS AND BOTHSIDES OF THREAR ABDOMEN AND BACK SIDES. HE SHOWS NO SIGNS OF DISCOMFORT OR CHANGE IN APPETITE OR DRINKING. HE IS HAVING A SLIGHT WEIGHT LOSS.HE ALSO IS HAVING A SMALL PATCH OF LOSS OR THINNING ON HIS TAIL AND TOP OF REAR END. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN HIM TO THE VET YET BECAUSE HE IS VERY HARD TO TREAT AND MUST USUALLY BE MEDICATED TO EXAMINE HIM.BODY FUNTION APPEAR NORMAL NO CHANGE IN THEM. YOUR THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

-- Contributed by: RICHARD BOHR

Hi David,

It is very stressful for most cats to go to the vet. Since you are going so frequently, this is likely creating a lot of stress for her right now. Stress can cause fur loss. Since the vet has already tested her, I wouldn't worry too much about it right now. Just mention the loss to him on her next visit. Hope you get her insulin dosages worked out soon and that she's feeling better.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our cat was diagnosed with diabetes about 4 weeks ago. We are taking her to the vet weekly while we get the insulin shots adjusted correctly. We noticed that she is losing a lot of fur. (Maine Coon) She has a spot on her right side that is down to the skin. The vet tested her for a lot of things and only came back with diabetes. Is this just normal since she is going through some traumatic changes? (change in diet, shots twice a day, etc.)

Thanks, David

-- Contributed by: David

Hi Dylan,

Is the fur just thinning or is it actually gone? It is normal for cats to have some thinning from time to time. I have a cat who has some thinner spots near her ears. Since there are no sores and she seems healthy, I'd probably look first at fleas or cat food as possible causes. Check for fleas and treat if necessary and then switch her to a high quality cat food. Ideally, the food should be organic and not made with byproducts. Your local pet supply store should be able to help you choose one.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi my 6 cat was doing great when i saw the fre on her stomok thinning then i saw it thinning on her ear there are no sores and she has none of the side efects of the things you listed above.she is very healthy but i am worried please help

-- Contributed by: dylan g

Hi Sandra,

It sounds like you're doing everything right. Your little kitten may just have a food allergy or a flea. Since she is going for shots anyway, I'd just mention the spot to the vet and have him take a look. However, I suspect it probably isn't a big deal. Congrats on your new cat family!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Des,

I wouldn't worry too much at this point. Check for fleas and worms and just keep an eye on the area. If the bare spot continues to expand, you may want to take your cat on a vet trip.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my 15 year old eats well, plays,poops and pees. little bare spot on base of tail, should i worry? spring cleaning?should i brush more?

-- Contributed by: des

Hi,

First time mommy of a stay cat and her first litter of 7. All 7 survived. They are now 6 weeks old. I just noticed today that one of my kittens lost a dime size patch of hair over her little eye. Is this normal? They have not had shots yet, having their mommy spayed tomorrow. Is hair loss on a small kitten like that normal? I have been feeding them kitty chow and kitty milk per the vet. Am I doing something wrong?

-- Contributed by: Sandra

Erika,

Thanks for the tip and advice. As always, check with your veterinarian before giving your pets any type of alternative remedies or medications.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Jo - I would be concerned about your cat's reaction to his booster shots. Vaccines contain aluminum, antifreeze, mercury - all kinds of dangerous stuff. The homeopathic remedy Thuja is for adverse reactions to vaccines - if I were you, I'd get some at your local health food store and give your cat 1 dose. Don't handle the pellets of Thuja. You can pour 1 or 2 pellets into the lid and then crush the pellets carefully between two clean spoons - and then toss the crushed granules into your cat's mouth without handling it. Google vaccines and see for yourself how dangerous vaccines can be. It'll open your eyes! Animals are getting injection-site tumours - you can ask your vet. It's all true. I'm a cat groomer - and have 5+ cats myself. I love cats. Best wishes with you and your kitty!

-- Contributed by: erika

Hi Stephanie,

Since he seems otherwise healthy, I'd probably just keep an eye on this for a while, especially since he is prone to dry skin. One thing that may help him is if you purchase a humidifier and use it during the winter months. This is good for your skin too.

While it is possible that this fur loss could be related to parasites, it doesn't sound like he has any other symptoms that would indicate this. The fat deposits are very common. Animals get them as they age, but be sure to point them out to the vet on your next regular visit, so he can make sure.

I would also continue with the Vitamin E, since it has worked so well in the past and see if that relieves the symptoms a bit too. You can also try things such as:

Changing his food
Changing his litter
Changing the type of detergent you use

Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is eight years old. He's been eating the same food for three years now. When he was younger, he had trouble with dry skin. In the winter, he had irritations on his neck that would bother him terribly (itching, bleeding). I used Vitamin E oil on them and usually that would clear it up within a week until his next outbreak. This year, I noticed he began a thinning of his fur on the area where his tail meets his pelvis. I assumed it was just the dry skin popping up in a different area and have been administering the Vitamin E. Rather than helping, it doesn't seem to be doing much at all. The patch is growing larger and the fur that he still has there seems to be brittle and breaking off. When I scratch that area, he seems to just love it, but this is really not different from when I touch him anywhere (he's a very loving cat), so I can't separate whether the area is particularly bothering him. He's just as diligent about cleaning himself as he always has, has had no change in thirst, plays just as much, and really has shown no change in any of his habits except for maybe an increase in appetite. I did notice some fat deposits on his tummy, but he has put on a bit of weight over the last year that wasn't there before and I just attributed the fat deposits to that. Any thoughts?

-- Contributed by: Stephanie

Hi Jo,

I would just keep an eye on him, unless he stops drinking water or shows others signs like convulsions or lethargy. It does sound like he is having a reaction to the shot, but it may turn out to be minor. I would go ahead and phone the vet on Monday and chat about the issue. Or if he worsens, go ahead and take him in.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi,

my 6 year old cat had his booster shots yesterday, this morning he wasn't bothered by his food (he usually wakes us up for it and he didn't). We just put it down to his feeling a bit delicate after his boosters. He's come down to join us now and I have noticed he has lost the fur around the spot where he would have had the shots (about the size of a 1p piece)and the skin beneath is red. He's a little quiet and subdued but on the whole seems fine apart from that... should I call the vet or just wait and see if he's back to his normal self tomorrow?

-- Contributed by: Jo

Hi Yvette,

Since you've moved twice in less than a year, it is likely stress or possibly allergies from new carpet or something similar. Since her health seems fine otherwise, I'd just watch Patsy closely for now. Hopefully, once she adjusts her fur will start coming back in. If you do see scabs or anything of that nature, go ahead and take her to the vet. You might want to consider bringing her indoors permanently. I've brought mine indoors full-time since our last move and I now realize they are much safer.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi! my cat Patsy is 11 years old.We moved 2 years ago to a house where she couldnt go out for 4 months as we were moving again,which we did.A week or two after the second move,i let her out and my other 2 cats also.They dont seem to have any problems but Patsy has been losing fur on her tummy,back legs and thighs.(thighs recently).She is treated for fleas and worms regularly and eats a good diet of fresh fish,chicken and science diet biscuits.Her behaviour appears normal.There are no scabs,pus or nasty stuff.Could it be depression?I dont want to put her through anything nasty the vet may do.

-- Contributed by: yvette

Hi Teri,

Stress is often a big culprit when it comes to hair loss. Another thing you might want to look at is parasites. Puppies often come with worms, which are easily treated. However, the worms are also easily spread. My advice would be to take a fecal sample from both the cat and the puppy to your vet and have them tested. If there are worms, the vet can provide the medication to treat that specific type of parasite. Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi. My cat, Emmi, who will be 13 this April, is losing her hair on her rearend. After reading causes on your web page, I find none to be true. I was wondering if it could be because we have a new puppy. The pup seems to want to play with Emmi, but she will have none of it. I am really hoping that it is just stress. Could it be?

-- Contributed by: Teri Kildee

Hi Abby,

Studies have shown that secondhand smoke is bad for humans, so I'm sure it isn't any better for cats. The extreme thirst is something I'd be concerned over. Often, illness will show up as fur loss or a dull coat. I would take the cat to the vet and have him tested for things such as diabetes, and adrenal functions. The vet will be able to pinpoint more fully what might be going on with him. Hope the cat feels better soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have noticed my brothers cat has been lost lots of hair on his belly and legs. It does not seem to bother him but we have also noticed this cat can never get enough water to drink. What can we do to help this poor kitty? Also my brother smokes around his cat would this affect his cats coat?

-- Contributed by: abby

Hi Paula,

Many cats do have allergies to certain foods. I would go ahead and switch her back to her old food and see if that helps. Remember to switch gradually, so she doesn't get sick to her tummy. Give her 25 percent of the food you are switching her to and 75 percent of the current food for a few days. Continue in 25 percent increments every few days until she is on 100 percent of the food you want her on.

If this does not help, let me know and we'll brainstorm some other ideas. However, since the hair loss correlates to the change in food, that is the most likely cause.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a cat that I just switch it to cat food for indoor cats. Since then she has started to lose her hair. I goes in a line from the base of her tail up the middle of her back. Could it be from the food or something else. The line up her back is the only place she has lost hair and everything else seems ok.

-- Contributed by: Paula

Hi Kim,

There are a variety of reasons for hair loss, but since she is an outside at, my first instinct would be to ask if she could have fleas or have been scratched in that area. I would start by treating her for fleas and getting her a good flea preventative (be careful an make sure it is for cats as many substances are highly toxic to felines, including canine flea medications, because of the differences in dosage, for example).

If that does not clear up the problem, or you notice a change in appetite or thirst, I would take her to the vet for a visit. Hope she gets well soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi, i adopted someones outside cat, i have had her for 3 years now and she is now losing her hair on her side 1 big spot, it looks as if someones shaved her. (she is an outside cat) help? thanks

-- Contributed by: kim

Hi my cat is suffering from hairloss from different parts of her body, these include: top of the head in between her ears, a line going down her back, her back legs under her belly and patches over her body, in herself she appears to be fine and as happy as ever and no problems with food, the rest of her fur is still in good condition as well and there are no scabs present to indicate erratic itching or scratching! the fur underneath is more broken off than completely bold which suggests to me she might be biting or licking it, although i haven noticed that she is licking it more than before

Hi Adeke, the patchy fur loss and broken look to the hair shafts indicate your cat might have a ringworm infection. Under the circumstances, I think it would be best to have your vet take a look right away.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Adeke

Hi Desirae,

There are many reasons why cats lose hair. They can include:

Seasonal shedding
Illness
Stress
Allergies
Fleas

It is goo that there are no patches on the skin. That is a very good sign. The first thing I would do is to rule out fleas. If she does not have fleas, then I would probably next look at stress. Any new animals or people in the home? Any major changes? If that doesn't seem to be the culprit, I would also look at her food and see if I could get her on a higher quality food.

You may wind up having to take her to the vet, but I don't think it's an emergency just yet. This is probably just something to mention at your next regular appointment.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is losing the hair around the base of her tail. There is no ulcers, bumps and scaly patches. The under hair is still there but the long hair is gone. No other parts of her body is losing hair. What could possibly cause this????

-- Contributed by: Desirae

Hi Radonna,

This definitely sounds like something that cats have given to one another. It could be fleas, causing an irritation, or it might be another skin disorder. I would take the cats to the vet and seek treatment, as it likely will not clear up on its own.

While cats can lose fur from stress, such as a move, the fact that the other cats had this problem previously indicates that it is more than stress.

Unfortunately, if it is a skin disorder or parasite problem, the only way to clear it up for good is to treat all the cats at the same time and thoroughly clean all bedding and the home. This is going to be costly with ten cats involved. You may want to call local shelters and clinics to see if there are any discount vets in the area or one who will set up a payment plan for you.

I hope they all feel better soon. I'm sorry your cats are going through this.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hello between my partner and I we have ten cats. Before I moved in with her three of her five cats had major hair loss. The two males had lost hair all over their body and her one female had gone completely bald on her body and down the back of her legs. My cats had never had any hair loss even with five cats I rarely had cat hair on my furniture or anywhere my cats laid. My cats are all long haired. Since blending our household my cats have been loosing their hair. My one Male cat has two bald patches on his leg and my four females are all shedding in huge clumps although no bald spots are apparent you definately notice their coats have thinned considerably. None of the 10 cats have any bumps or scaley places on them they just have no hair. I've seen the pictures of cat mange and scabies and they just don't seem to fit. I don't know what to do to fix this problem. Advice please.

-- Contributed by: Radonna

Hi Melissa Sue,

Since she is not showing any other symptoms and it doesn't sound like she is biting or digging at the area, it is likely that the hair loss is due to stress. Any change, such as a new pet in the household, can cause a lot of stress for a cat. I would watch the area closely to make sure the loss does not continue, but likely, once she adjusts to the new puppy, the fur will return.

If you notice any change in appetite, thirst or litter habits, please take her to the vet immediately.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a 8 year old famale cat who just recently has started to loose some fur on one of her back legs. The hair loss isn't symetrical, the skin doesn't have any bumps, redness, scabs, nothing, its perfect, there's just no hair there. She is really healthy in all other ways she's just missing some fur. We recently got a new puppy, and i was wondering if that could be part of the cause? I could not find anything on the internet that had to do with hair loss without any other sign of discomfort! Any coments would be really appreciated! I love my kitty so much!!!

-- Contributed by: melissa sue

Hi Margaret,

Stress is one of the biggest causes in hair loss in cats. Stress can also make a cat overgroom. If you've ever been licked by a cat, you know how rough and sandpapery that tongue is! If they groom too much, they wind up removing all their hair and some cats will even pull hair out with their teeth. Also, moving a cat from one place to another is very stressful to some cats, especially where there are other pets to adjust to.

As long as he seems to be eating and drinking normally and otherwise healthy, I would probably wait it out if it were my cat. You know him better than me and live with him, so you have to make the final decision on this. Just watch him closely and if you notice any changes such as increased thirst, urination or trouble urinating, then get him to the vet immediately as this can signal some serious problems.

Also, male cats are prone to kidney stones, so I would watch carefully and make sure he is not having trouble urinating. You can switch him to a special food that will help prevent stones and infections.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a three-year-old male, neutered cat who has recently started losing fur on the backs of his legs and a little on his abdomen. The skin is not irritated and he doesn't seem to be in any pain/discomfort. He is eating and drinking normally and seems otherwise fine. He doesn't have fleas. I haven't noticed him grooming more than usual, but then I'm not home every minute.

The only unusual things that have happened lately are 1) he is normally an indoor cat, but he recently spent some time at my parents' house where he was allowed out in the yard (he has all his shots) 2) he spent time with the parents' cats (who have all their shots) and 3) he had a urinary tract infection a few weeks ago and was treated successfully with Clavamox.

Any ideas what could be up with him? Maybe he is stressed out from all the traveling? He has been a little "edgy" lately (easily startled and so on). I'm wondering if I should take him to the vet's now or wait to see if it clears up on its own.

-- Contributed by: Margaret

Hi, Gail,

The hair loss could be from fleas, stress, or any number of infections and diseases. How is the cat's appetite? Is the cat still eating and drinking as normal?

If the hair loss is this severe, I would definitely recommend you take him to the vet for analysis.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat started losing hair at his tail & is working it's way up his spine, towards the neck. It is half way up his back now. Do you have a suggestion of where I should start?

-- Contributed by: Gail

Hi, Stephen,

Since he is a stray, it is likely he may have any number of stray cat diseases that can cause hair loss. Or, it could be something as simple as fleas or parasites. Since he is a fairly friendly cat, I would put him in a small carrier and transport him to the vet that way. You will be able to drive without him roaming your car and you won't have to worry about him scratching or struggling out of your arms as you carry him in the vet's office.

Also, before you place the cat into the carrier, weight it. This way the vet can weight the entire carrier and subtract the carrier's weight if the cat is acting vile at any point. If he is overly anxious when you arrive, the vet can always give him something to calm him down and will know the exact dose based on his weight.

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, Crystal,

Sometimes cats will lose hair due to stress, just as humans do. I would definitely take her to the vet to rule out any health issues with this amount of hair loss this suddenly, though. As long as she is eating and drinking normally and using the litter box as normal, I would not worry over an emergency vet but take her at the next earliest possible regular appointment. Please check back and let us know if the vet says it is hormonal, bacterial or just stress. Hope she gets better soon!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi. I have a stray male cat that my wife and I have been befrending for over a year and a half. Recently we have noticed clumps of his hair falling out from hit shoulder and neck area. there seen to be little dense areas under the skin where the hair is falling out. He was in several fights six months ago and suffered scratchs in the areas where the dense spots are. I did not take him to a vet since it has taken this long to get him to trust me enough to pick him up. 1. should I take him to a vet? 2. Do you have a good idea of how I could tranqualize him so I can get him to a vet? He is not an agressive cat at all but you know how cats are on car rides.

-- Contributed by: Stephen

For a couple of months, our cat has had a bald patch on her back by her tail. We thought it was dry skin. But all of a sudden, all of her hair on her back half has fallen out in the past two days. She seems to be acting normally and doesn't seem sick. No noticable change in habits either.

-- Contributed by: Crystal

Hi, Tara,

One common reason for fur loss is stress and it can show up weeks later. You said that the skin is pink. I would check it over and make sure there isn't any irritation. Dry, flaky skin or wounds can indicate other health problems. It is good that he is not irritating the area with over grooming.

For now, if it were my cat, I would just keep a close eye on the areas but wait for a regular vet appointment before seeking treatment. However, if he shows any of the following symptoms, I would get him to the vet as quickly as possible:

Lethargy
Open wounds or scabby skin
Any type of discharge from wounds on the skin
Loss of appetite
Increased or lack of thirst
Change in litter habits
Yowling with no apparent reason
Additional fur loss

Hope his fur grows back soon!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

About a month ago, my cat starting losing fur around his rear end on one leg, I noticed about a week ago the other leg is starting to lose fur. I moved the end of october 2007, now it is end of December 07. Could it be a delayed reaction of stress from moving? He doesnt act any different and doesnt seem bothered by this, nor does he lick himself more than he used to. It looks like pink skin. Help?

-- Contributed by: Tara

Hi, Tracy,

I'm sorry this is happening to your cat. If the tests all came back negative, then it is possible that stress could be causing her condition. Since she is biting the hair out, this indicates that she is either overgrooming or possibly her skin is itching her. However, if she had dry skin, your vet probably would have mentioned that as a possibility. You may want to check for flaking, just to be sure.

I would look around and try to discover if there is anything that might cause your cat stress. For example, a new person or pet in the family or a move.

Also, you don't mention how long she has been on her medication. It can take quite a while for some medications to take effect. You may also want to try putting a plastic collar on her to prevent the biting until the area starts to heal. You can purchase these at the pet supply store, but I would not leave it on unsupervised.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, We have a cat who is losing or biting her hair out, took her to the vet, ran test on her all test are neg. put her on amitriptyline 10mg; but she is still losing hair. She is bald on belly, both sides, and her butt.

-- Contributed by: Tracy

Hi, Jess,

My recommendation is that you take a stool sample to your veterinarian and have it tested for parasites. The vet will be able to determine if there are parasites and what type they are so that he can prescribe the best medication to treat that particular type of warm.

Hope that helps!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My male cat is losing his hair around and one his ears. I think it is worms but i am not sure. If someone could please help me.

-- Contributed by: Jess

Hi, Joshua. I understand being on a budget and trying to take care of your pets minor issues. It is sometimes hard to know when it is best to take them to the vet and when it is an issue that you can take care of on your own. One thing you might want to look into is a veterinarian clinic that some pet stores offer with basic physical, shots, etc. It is usually very inexpensive. If you live anywhere near a veterinary school, you may be able to get discounted care as well, although there are only a limited number of schools in the United States and there may not be one near you.

I would start by looking at any and all changes in the cat's environment to try to seek an explanation for the hair loss. Have you changed flea medications? Have you changed food?

Many cats will lick and nip at itchy spots on their fur, further irritating those areas. You may want to try putting a plastic collar on his neck for a while to prevent this. You can buy these at Petsmart and other pet supply stores inexpensively. If the area heals, he may then leave it alone.

You may also want to try food for sensitive skin. Although I try not to recommend specific brands, there are several good organic cat foods on the market for sensitive skin. They will run a but more than your more common cat food, but may be a less expensive solution.

I hope this gives you a few ideas. You can try putting over the counter skin balms on the cat but it is likely he will just lick them back off again, so the plastic collar often works best. Good luck!

Lori

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is about four or five years old and is suffering from hair loss. I've spent more than a few hours researching this online and don't have money to take him to the vet at the current time.

I still can't figure out what is wrong with him... He acts the same, his diet is the same, we haven't introduced anything new to the house in awhile. He has been eating/drinking the same as always, there have been no signs of weight gain or wait loss. The skin isn't inflamed, there are no bumps or visible marks, skin color is the same, it's not overly dry... The skin doesn't seem very sensitive, either. Petting doesn't bug them and he also lets out other cats groom him. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem contagious.

He has been grooming himself in excess recently, with occasional chewing.

The hair loss is mostly on his full body (right side only), near the base of the tail, his belly, and the bottom of his front paws. There is no facial hair or hair loss in the genital area. There also seems to be no hair loss on the left side of his body.

I can't seem to figure out what's wrong with him, could anyone help me with this? Some kind of allergic reaction to something, maybe? Any advice or information would be very helpful.

-- Contributed by: Joshua

Hi, Ronnie. It sounds like the cats may still have some irritation from the fleas even though you've treated them. Cats' tongues are very rough and when their skin itches, they lick it. This in turn irritates the skin more. It can be a vicious cycle and they can lose their hair from all the licking and biting. Some cats will even pull their fur out with their teeth, so that they can get to the irritated skin. There are a couple of things you can try. You can put on a topical solution for the skin irritation but chances are the cats will lick it right back off. Some owners find that putting on a wide plastic collar for a short period of time can help while the areas heal. It prevents the animal from getting to the area.

There is a detailed article about some of the other causes of feline hair loss, that might help put your mind at ease. If you are concerned that there may be an underlying issue, you should probably talk to your veterinarian and rule out any problems such as a thyroid problem. Keep us posted on how it goes and I hope the cats stop losing their hair soon.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have black american shorthair male and female cats both of which are litter mates.

Both of these cats have been neutered since May of this year. I recently had a serious flea infestation, which has been completely dealt with. I use Frontline on my cats. My male cat has lost about 30% of his coat over about a four month period and just recently the female has started losing hair low on her back legs. The animals are both 18 months old. Both cats are very active and playful. Neither of them are itching. The male grooms alot. Both cats have been on Purina Kitten Chow since they've been on solid food, and are eating and drinking normal. It's been about 3 months since their were any fleas. Both cats are still losing hair. I'm stumped. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: Ronnie

Hi Robin,

Those clumps you're describing sound like fur mats. When hair is shed it can either wind up dropping completely out of the coat or catching in it. When enough hairs catch together you get a mat.

Regular brushing helps keep mats from forming, although cats usually take care of most of this themselves through grooming. If your cat will allow you to do it, you can gently tease out the mats with a comb, starting at an outer edge and pulling a few hairs loose at a time. It may also be simpler to take the cat to a groomer and let them clip the cat's fur evenly to remove the mats.

Hope this helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my cat (willie) is a 13 yr old daibetic cat she's fine except for these big clumps of hair suddenly started appearing. Can't comb thru them, what's going on? robin

-- Contributed by: robin

Hi Sheri,

You vet is certainly the expert in this situation, but I can offer a few thoughts.

First FIP is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are common to many illnesses. Typically, cats with FIP will display fluctuating fevers. Your cat's temperature was normal at the time of examination, so I would suggest keeping an eye on his temperature to see if he has intermittent fevers.

Many of the symptoms you've related to me may also point to hyperthyroidism, especially the recent extreme hair loss you mentioned. A quick check of your cat's neck may alert your vet to an enlarged thryroid gland, but the best way to diagnose this disease is through a T4 test.

As for the pest spraying, do you have a way to find out which chemicals were used? This would help your vet determine if toxins could have produced such reaction in your cat.

I truly hope you can get to the bottom of your pet's illness, and that he is feeling better soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 6 year old male cat that I got at the humane society 5 1/2 years ago. He is an indoor only cat and is negative for FIV and Feline Leukemia but had bloodwork done last week and his white blood cell count is very low and liver enzymes are VERY high ( 2534 for one of the readings). His temperature was normal. When I took him to the vet he was not eating and was very lifeless but I have been getting him to eat and he seems better,and more alert and responsive, except for the extreme hairloss just recently. He has always seemed healty in the past.

We moved into a brand new house ( just built) a month ago that has new carpet ( a lot of carpet pile comes up when we vacuum) and the house was treated for ants and pests which were coming in around the baseboard near the cat bowls. Yet, also my vet says a concern is FIP because he was adopted from a shelter 5 1/2 years ago and he could carry coronavirus.

Do you think this sounds like FIP, or toxins or something else?

-- Contributed by: Sheri Riley

Hi Laura,

If you catch him pulling the fur in that area, you can squirt the spot with some Bitter Apple spray. You'll find it at any pet supply. You might also want your vet to examine him. Hair loss can be a sign of an undetected illness.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My cat has a oval shaped spot on his back that is bald. I think he may be pulling it out but I can't figure out why. The skin is healthy white without any scalyness or scabbyness. No bumps I can't see anything wrong with it at all. Can you help me figure out what to do? He is acting normally in all other ways his appitite hasn't changed nor his playfulness. I have two other indoor cats and neither of them is having any hair loss issues.

-- Contributed by: Laura

Hi Sharyn,

Is there a chance that she could be pulling the hair out herself when she grooms? If you're not seeing any flea bites or raised rings on the skin (ringworm) then this might be the case. Sometimes cats develop a compulsion to do this, although it's not always easy to figure out why.

Since the skin is a little inflamed, you might want to have your vet take a look. He/She may want to put her in an Elizabethan collar for a while to give the skin a rest and see if the hair will grow back.

In the meantime, try to observe her when she's cleaning herself. If she's spending considerable time in that area you might have your answer.

Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a cat, Miss Ellie, and she is about nine years old. I have noticed in the last few days that she is losing her hair between her legs. You can really see it when she lies on her back for me to rub her belly. There is quite a bit of hair missing, and the skin is quite pink. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, and I don't feel any lumps. There doesn't seem to be anything irritating her, but it scares me.

-- Contributed by: Sharyn Rowe

Hi Jinny,

There is a very good chance she suffered some kind of trauma while she was away, especially if she didn't have a problem with her back legs before she went missing. I think it would be a very good idea to take her to the vet and let him/her know what happened. The vet will probably want to check her vital signs, give her a gentle examination by hand and perhaps take an X-ray to look for damage. Even though the weakness appears to be in her rear, she could have an internal injury.

My best wishes for her full recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I was away and came home and my cat was missing. She came home after a day, but couldn't really walk well. It seems her hind quarters are weak. She is very unstable. She is 9 years old.

Could this be a stroke? Could she have gotten hit by a car?

any feedback would be appreciated Jinny

-- Contributed by: Jinny

Hi RC,

It sounds like your cat may have ear mites in that ear. Are the brown spots inside? If so, then it's even more likely. The hair loss on the ear would also indicate mites.

There's no need to panic. Just go to your local pet supply store and pick up a bottle of mite medicine for felines. Depending on which product you purchase, you need to swab out the ear to clean it, and then put the medicine directly into the canal. Just follow the directions on the bottle and you should be okay.

You can call your vet on Mondday to let him know what you've observed and what you are using to treat your cat, and he/she will advise you on how to proceed from there. Many cat owners are able to successfully treat an ear mite infestation on their own, but you do need to make sure they are completely gone. A severe infestation can lead to infections and damage of the ear canal.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,My Cat was just at the vet's office last week to get updated shots. He is also treated monthly with Frontline plus. I noticed today he is scratching just one of his ears and it has hair loss as well as brown spots. The other ear looks fine. It is the weekend and our vet isn't open. What could be the problem?

-- Contributed by: RC

Hi Rich,

Let me be sure I'm clear on what you're saying. One of the cats hasn't been growing its fur back as quickly as the other?

Hair growth sometimes slows down as cats begin to age. The rate of hair growth may also depend on the amount of nutrition your cat takes in. As long as your cat is in good weight and doesn't appear to have any skin problems or other illness going on, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Consider it as savings on the cost of grooming. If you do begin to notice signs of something wrong, take your pet in for another examination.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Every summer I have my two 5 year old, long hair cats shaved with the Lion Cut (the neck and above and below the knee left unshaved). No trouble until this year. The hair on one cat is just fine, while the other cat's hair hasn't been growing back, and the unshaved hair is still there and is OK. The lack of hair is uniform - not patchy - to what has been shave off. Any idea what the issue is? The vet had no comment.

-- Contributed by: Rich

My cat Mushi is about 4 years old and for months now his hair has been falling ALOT .. not in spots or due to askin desease no . ithink its something else .. and he lost weight, and he eats well but not as well as he use to .. ireally dont know whats the problem .. im worried .. itook him to one vet and he told me possible worms .. and he gave him a pill .. then when another vet saw him .. he said it might be the same thing but ur cat is weak .. wich got me seriously worried ..im thinkin of givin him ablood test and an Xray.. what could be the problem??? plz help

-- Contributed by: reem

I think the vet is the expert, but it does seem like a bit of a leap.

I think you should have a more indepth discussion with her about her reasons for wanting to x-ray. She should be able to explain what is leading her in this particular direction, and then you can decide if it's truly necessary.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there,

My cat Philip is about 9 years old and in the last year or so his hair has been thinning and he has lost about a pound but holds steady at his current weight. He has become picky about food too...I took him to the vet and all of his blood work came back in good shape...the doc said she would like to do an x-ray to look for tumors...what do you think?

-- Contributed by: Sarah King

Hi Brittany,

You'll find my answer to your question at Ask the Cat Experts.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have this kitten he is very very playful but then i left him with my mom for 2 days and then i came back home and he had a spot on his lower neck closer to his back where he is missing hair and its kinda sticky i dont know whatit is or what i could aleast try to do because he isnt over 12 weeks yet so what is there to do he hasnt changed any he is still playful and loves to dig his claws in me i need help

-- Contributed by: BRITTANY

Hi Liz,

You'll find the answer to your question at Ask the Cat Experts.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I feed some stray cats and ive notice one has missing fur on the top of the tail and sores and i was wandering what this mind be and if there was sommething i could do for it?

thank you, liz

-- Contributed by: liz
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