There are many reasons for cat hair loss and other cat skin problems.

  Cat hair loss and other cat skin problems are among the most common reasons that people take their cats to the vet. Skin disease can cause extreme irritation and misery for your cat, and it is important to treat the problem early and correctly to prevent things getting even worse. There are so many different feline skin disorders and potential causes that it usually requires the expertise of your vet to make a correct diagnosis.

Cats shed dead hair all the time which is why they groom themselves so often (and get fur balls!) and they usually have a seasonal moult, so cat hair loss is not always unusual.

Sometimes a large amount of hair loss may result from a recent stress or shock, such as following a major illness or surgery, or a change of their environment or the loss of a companion.

(See our page on cat stress here) Other times, pregnant mother cats can lose hair during the pregnancy or while lactating. Such cases usually return to normal given time.

Here we will talk briefly about some of the other common causes of cat hair loss and skin problems and cat hair loss and the signs to look out for, but we will always recommend you see your vet about any symptoms your cat may be displaying.

Poor little Mo itched and scratched and itched and scratched!

So we took her to the vet who diagnosed flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction to the saliva in a skin bite that can be set off by a single flea! He gave her an antihistamine injection and some prescription flea control for us to use at home (we had been using treatments from the supermarket which obviously were not adequate).

It was like magic! That evening she was a much more relaxed and happy cat following the injection and the terrible irritation seemed to have stopped. We have made sure she has never suffered like that again! You can read more about flea control on our other page here.

Common signs and symptoms of cat hair loss and cat skin problems to look out for.

• Cat hair loss.- Often in clumps exposing bald spots can be from over grooming due to stress or itching. If the hair loss is more all over it may indicate a hormone imbalance or other reason. Cat hair loss in oval or round patches is often a sign of ringworm which is very contagious and most common in kittens and long haired breeds.
• Excessive scratching or biting from itching and irritation.- So many possible causes including parasites like mites and fleas, or allergic reactions to food or chemicals.
• Inflamed skin, red and hot.
• Lumps or swollen areas.- These can be with or without pain, and can be caused by abscesses, tumours or cysts.
• Scaly, flaky or crusty skin, sometimes with white skin flakes in the coat. - This can be from fungal infections or fur mites.
• Bad odour.- Often from bacterial or yeast infections.
• Weeping areas.- From inflamed and broken skin or excessive scratching.
• Bleeding or pus exuding.- From an abscess or deep bacterial infection.
• Spots or a rash.- From insect bites or an allergic reaction.
• Dull, lifeless or matted coat. - Can indicate an underlying medical or nutritional problem.
• Scabs.
• Black specs in the coat or bedding. - Often flea dirts.
• Orange specs moving around on the feet, face and ears. - Harvest mites.

The list could go on and on!!

What will the vet look for?

• How long has your cat had the problem? Does it come and go?
• Is your cat showing any other symptoms of poor cat health such as vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss or loss of appetite?
• Is the problem in just one area or all over you cats body?
• Are there any other pets or people in the house suffering the same problem? (Fur mites are contagious to humans as well!)
• Has there been a change to the cats diet or environment, such as using a new household cleaner?

Your vet will also probably brush your cats fur to check for lice, dandruff, fleas and flea dirts. They might also want to:

• Take skin scrapings and hair samples for analysis.
• Take blood tests, or a skin sample for biopsy.
• They might consider performing hypoallergenic diet trials.

What treatments are available?

So always consult your vet at the earliest signs of cat hair loss or cat skin problems, and take into consideration yourselves and any other pets in your household.

We like to promote Natural healthy products rather than harsh chemicals. You may decide that after you have consulted your vet that you would rather treat your cat with a natural product. Here we provide two links to a rather good natural pet store that provide various skin conditioners and shampoos and vitamins. They also have a specific natural product which is designed to help with Hair Loss.

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