LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

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Hi Tina,

I'm sorry to hear that you lost your cat. Hopefully it was from some other issue than what your six-year-old cat is facing.

There are so many different causes for this type of behavior. A cat pulling out his own fur could be because of parasites, such as fleas, or could be because of food allergies or some underlying illness.

My advice is to take him to the vet immediately. Since the other cat died, you don't want to take any chances. Explain the symptoms and take note of such things as if he is eating and drinking normally and litter box habits. I hope he's okay.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi,my cat is 6 years old with thick hair and has always been an outside cat,the last month he has been tearing his hair out both sides mid way to his tail,he now has patches,his momma had the same thing,before we could help her she died,she was 10 years old.

-- Contributed by: tina

Hi Jazz. The likeliest culprit, after ruling out the other things you mentioned, is allergies. It could be a food allergy, allergy to new carpet, etc. Basically, anything a human can be allergic to, a cat can be allergic to as well. You may want to try switching foods first and see if that helps.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a 6 year old female cat. She has never been outside in her life and about two months ago she started losing the fur on her tummy and now on her sides and legs, she has a very thin layer of fur in these areas. The skin looks healthy and she does not seem to be over grooming the areas. I dont believe she has fleas, worms, or parasites either. If anyone has some insight I would be very greatful.

-- Contributed by: jazz

Hi Rachel,

Fur loss alone wouldn't be as worrisome, but with the addition of eating and drinking more than normal, it sounds like there may be an issue that you should have checked out by the vet. One thing about fur loss is that it can sometimes be an indicator that some underlying health issue exists which needs to be dealt with. Once the health issue clears up, the fur loss often stops.

So, rule out anything major through your vet. Definitely mention his symptoms and ask about Cushing's. The vet will likely run some blood work and see what kind of levels come back before deciding on a course of treatment.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our 5 year old male tabby cat has recently been losing a lot of hair. The odd thing is, is there are no furballs in the house (like he is pulling it out), or scabs present in the affected area, it is all very smooth. He doesn't appear to be scratching or licking the area excessively.

He appears to have the symptoms listed for Cushing's disease. He is gaining weight, drinking and eating more than usual, and his hair loss seems fairly symmetrical. 
Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Rachel

Hi Sandi,

This could be caused by any number of things. It could be hormonal, since she was just in heat. It could be caused by parasites such as fleas. Or, her system may have been stressed, which can cause hair loss.

I'd keep an eye on her, but since everything else seems fine, I wouldn't worry too much at this point. If the condition worsens or she grows letharic or stops eating, then I'd make a trip to the vet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hair loss on stomach only around nipples,just finished a heat,acts normal.

-- Contributed by: sandi

Hi MButler,

While medications can cause fur loss, more than likely it is stress causing this. I would also double-check for parasites, as that is another common cause (such as fleas). Hope he feels better soon!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my cat recently started buspirone for anxiety. he has been on frontline for 6yrs. since last month he has been losing his hair from the back of his neck to the tip of his tail.he can frontline plus be reacting with this new medication. the hairloss is about 4 inches wide and travels down his back to his tail.

-- Contributed by: mbutler

Hi Jason,

I would go ahead and check for fleas, since that is the most common cause, but other things that can cause fur loss include overgrooming, which it sounds like she is doing. Sometimes a cat's food can cause skin "hot spots", which itch and cause a cat to overgroom, so you may want to try a high quality formula for sensitive skin.

If she is long-haired, you may have to brush her daily to avoid those clumps. I would probably check for fleas, switch food slowly in 25 percent increments at a time and then take her to the vet as a last resort unless she shows signs of other health issues.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat is a year old and has long hair. She is an indoor cat and gets horrible clumps of hair, but that is not my main concern. She is licking herself frequently on her hind legs, causing some bald spots. Is this something serious? I see no fleas. Please tell me.

-- Contributed by: Jason Kufs

Hi D. Silverthorn,

If the cause of the tail biting is not fleas, then you have to look to other likely culprits, such as dry skin. In the winter, many cats get extremely dry skin. You may want to try a humidifier. It could also be that he hasn't quite recovered from the fleas or that he still has one or two. I would continue with these treatments and give it a little more time, if he were my cat.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat, indoor/outdoor, has been chasing his tail, or lying down and just playing with his tail, and licking it, for the past 3 weeks. The hair is now gone from the first inch of the tip of the tail.At my vet's suggestion I applied Advantage, but after 2 weeks it is still happening.

-- Contributed by: D. Silverthorn

Hi Dave,

You don't mention how old Midgette is. Older cats are more prone to things like hypothyroidism, although it isn't unheard of in younger cats. If I'm understanding correctly, she has not lost her fur, it is simply coarser and not soft and fine like her other fur. This could be caused from anything from the health issues you mentioned to her diet.

A couple of things I would look for:

Is she overgrooming that area, almost as though there is a hot spot?
Is she showing any other symptoms at all, such as change in appetite or thirst?
Have you changed her diet?
Have you changed her litter?
Have you changed the laundry detergent you use, such as on your bed clothes, which she then lays upon?

For now, unless she is showing other symptoms, I would probably just keep a close eye on this issue and track any of the above items in a little log. This way, if it worsens and you need to take her to the vet, you will have a log of the type of food she is on, any behavioral changes and how the condition has progressed over time. This will help the vet make a better diagnosis.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My cat Midgette has had a very thin layer of coarse hair on her lower back right before the base of her tail for about a month or so now. I also noticed more fatty cells near the beginning of her tail. My thoughts are Psychogenic Alopicia or possibly, but unlikely, Hypothyroidism. I was wondering what direction to look in to help her heal. I would appreciate any insight you can give me. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely yours, Dave

-- Contributed by: Dave

Hi Melissa,

Is he simply shedding in clumps or are there bald patches on his fur where you can see skin? Some breeds, usually Persians or cats with heavy coats, will shed quite a bit at certain times of the year, but will retain their undercoat. This may just be a natural shedding process.

If it is more than that, I would take him to the vet. He could have parasites too small to be seen by the human eye or another condition. Hope this helps :)

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi My 4 yr old male cat is losing his hair. Not in one spot but all over. when you pick him up big clumps are coming out and i'm not sure what to do. Nothing has changed. His enviroment & food are all the same. What do you think?????

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mitchell

Hi Harry,

Please go to Ask the Cat Experts to find your answer.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My kitten is about 3 12 months old. She has a plugged nose. Yesterday she sneezed and quite a large sized booger came out of her nose. But today shes missing a patch of fur behind her ear and the skin looks slightly pink and a little irrtated. I think she may have just bonked herself in the night because she has a tendency to run and do flying leaps into things, but I just want to be a little more sure of that. I also wonder if it were okay to put some polysporin on it. Thanks for any advice.

-- Contributed by: Harry
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