You’re already used to your cat’s shedding, so a bit of hair loss won’t have you looking for a veterinarian in DeSoto, TX. However, when the shedding gets excessive, it can point to an underlying issue that needs immediate attention.
If you’re now at that point and asking, “Why is my cat losing hair?” read on as we delve into a few possible reasons that could cause hair loss in cats.
Symptoms of Excessive Hair Loss
Before we go any further, we thought we’d start by helping you differentiate between your cat’s usual shedding and excessive hair loss. Keep in mind that your cat will often shed their fur, replacing damaged or old hair with new growth. This is how they are able to retain their soft, luxurious coat.
However, excessive shedding can get concerning. We recommend investigating further if you start noticing:
- Thinning areas
- Bald patches
- Skin bumps
- Flaky or red skin
- More hair on your clothing or furniture than usual
Common Reasons Your Cat Is Losing Hair
Feline alopecia might not seem like an urgent issue. However, given its possible underlying cause, it’s always wise to investigate further.
If you’re asking, “Why is my cat losing hair?” here are a few possible reasons.
Parasite Infestation
Mites and fleas are some of the parasites that can cause hair loss in cats. This is because the parasites irritate your cat’s skin, causing them to scratch themselves a lot more aggressively. The more they scratch, the more hair they lose.
Skin Infections
Skin infections in cats can also result in hair loss. On top of the hair loss, you might also notice scaly patches, redness, or foul odors. If you do, your cat probably has a fungal or bacterial skin infection and needs immediate medical attention.
Allergies
Just like you, your cat may be allergic to certain environmental factors, foods, or grooming products, in which case the hair loss could be a symptom of allergic dermatitis.
If it’s a recent development, you should try to find out if there have been any changes in your cat’s diet, environment, or grooming. Identifying what the allergen is and eliminating it will be the only way to prevent more hair loss.
Poor Nutrition
Speaking of diet, you always have to make sure your cat gets proper nutrition. Doing so goes a long way in helping your cat maintain healthy skin and a luscious coat.
When your cat doesn’t get a balanced diet, they can end up with brittle, dry fur, which, in turn, can greatly increase shedding.
Stress and Anxiety
Yes, your cat can experience stress and anxiety. You might have added a new pet or altered your routine. Whatever the case, the lack of a calm environment can lead to excessive, stress-related overgrooming, also called psychogenic alopecia.
Hormonal Imbalances
If you’re wondering, “Why is my cat losing hair?” and it isn’t because of stress, poor nutrition, allergies, or pests, your cat might have a hormonal imbalance. This condition disrupts the standard functioning of your cat’s body and can lead to a change in the quantity of their coat.
Medical Conditions
You can attribute the hair loss to a possible underlying medical condition, like diabetes or kidney disease. If you’ve also noticed other unusual symptoms, such as weight loss or increased thirst, you should have a certified veterinarian evaluate your cat.
Genetics and Age
While most of the possible causes of cat hair loss are concerning, sometimes, the symptom could be down to your cat’s age or genetics.
For instance, since your cat’s body changes as it grows older, it’s common for some older cats to experience thinning hair because of lower hair follicle activity. Additionally, some breeds are predisposed to experiencing unusual hair loss patterns.
Seeking Veterinarian Care
It’s never a good idea to try to self-diagnose the cause of your cat’s hair loss. Though you might get it right, the risks involved if you get it wrong are just too high. This is why you should always schedule an appointment with a certified veterinarian the moment you spot unusual hair loss.
The veterinarian has the expertise and tools needed to accurately get to the bottom of the problem, so you no longer have to wonder, “Why is my cat losing hair?”
After asking you a series of questions, they may perform tests such as:
- Urinalysis: Involves analyzing a sample of your cat’s urine to check for abnormalities.
- Blood work: This helps determine the presence of underlying medical conditions, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
- Skin scrape: The veterinarian might use a dull blade to gently scrape the thinning patch. They’ll then view the skin sample they get under a microscope to look for signs of mites.
- Wood’s lamp: If they suspect ringworm to be the culprit behind your cat’s hair loss, they could shine a special light on the affected area. If your cat’s fur glows bright green, then they have ringworm.
- Intradermal skin testing: In the case of environmental allergies, the veterinarian could shave off a patch and introduce various allergens underneath the skin to check for a reaction.
Possible Treatment for Hair Loss in Cats
The good news is that there is a treatment for your cat’s hair loss. However, what that treatment will be will depend on the problem’s underlying cause. That said, the veterinarian could give your cat:
- Calming supplements
- Antiparasitic medication
- Antibiotics
- Allergy medicine
- Antifungal medicine
Restore Your Cat’s Hair Loss With the Help of Penny Paws Animal Clinic
Spotting patches of thinning hair on your cat can send the alarm bells ringing, causing you to ask, “Why is my cat losing hair?” Given the many possible causes, answering this question is impossible to do on your own. Thankfully, we are here to help.
Whether you’re looking to restore your cat’s hair loss or just want to find out more about hairballs, you can turn to us for all your cat questions and concerns. Contact Penny Paws Animal Clinic at (469) 807-3030.