A cat’s coat is a sign of behavior and overall health. When it’s clean and well-maintained, cats are generally happy and healthy. However, when it’s unkempt or missing a few patches, then it indicates something concerning.
Hair loss in cats, also called alopecia, is a common concern that pet owners must look into. It's often caused by an underlying issue, which can be anything from a simple allergy to a metabolic disease.
In this blog, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about cats and hair loss, from what causes it to how it can be treated.
Normal Shedding vs Hair Loss in Cats
Shedding is a natural process wherein a cat’s old fur is replaced with new growths. Normal shedding helps regulate a cat's temperature and keeps its skin condition in good condition.
Shedding tends to follow seasonal patterns, increasing in the spring and autumn as cats adjust to changing daylight and temperature. In contrast, hair loss is not normal. It's a symptom of a health issue or can come from emotional distress.
Plus, when hair loss occurs, it usually appears as patchy, localized, or uneven bald spots.
What Causes Hair Loss in Cats?
There are several reasons why cats experience hair loss. Some may cause it suddenly, while others progress gradually.
External Parasites
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, are common reasons why cats experience hair loss. They can cause severe itching and irritation, which can prompt affected cats to overgroom. From here, cats can experience hair loss in the areas they overly scratch or chew.
Fleas are particularly more serious, as many cats can have severe allergic reactions to the saliva they leave behind.
Allergies
Cats can also experience hair loss from allergic reactions. Common allergens include food, environmental factors such as pollen or dust mites, and certain materials like plastic or wool.
Allergic reactions often manifest as itching, redness, and hair loss, particularly around the face, neck, and tail. Food allergies are particularly challenging to diagnose, as they can develop at any stage of life.
Skin Infections
Skin infections can also cause hair loss in cats as one of the symptoms. One of the more common ones is ringworm, a fungal infection that results in circular patches of hair loss.
The loss of hair can also be caused when cats scratch or paw at their skin excessively as a reaction to the constant itch.
Hormonal Imbalances
Disorders that can result in hormonal imbalances, such as hypothyroidism, can result in hair loss in cats. These often result in the symmetrical loss of hair, characterized by thinning on both sides.
This happens because the normal hair growth cycle is disrupted as the hormone balance is altered.
Stress and Anxiety
A cat's emotional well-being can also be a factor in coat health. When cats feel stressed, especially for long periods of time, their bodies release stress hormones. These stress hormones can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. This can cause hair loss in cats.
Common situations include changes in the house, new pets, and even boredom. Additionally, cats with anxiety issues for long periods of time tend to groom excessively, which can result in bald patches across the coat. This is called psychogenic alopecia.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A cat's diet is also another essential factor that can cause hair loss in cats. Cats that lack adequate nutrition for growth and development may develop a poor coat condition and some hair loss.
This is quite common in cats eating low-quality meals. It can also affect those with nutrient absorption issues. Common ones include inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and malabsorption.
Genetics and Age
Some cats are predisposed to hair loss. Breeds like the Sphynx cat, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex are genetically prone to hair loss or thinning. Others may even have a genetic predisposition to certain skin conditions that lead to hair loss.
Additionally, age is also a factor. This is generally a natural thinning of the coat rather than an actual health issue. However, senior cats may also be prone to skin issues that can trigger hair loss.
Cancer and Immune Disorders
Other conditions, such as cancer and immune disorders, can also cause hair loss in cats. Some of these conditions include mast cell tumors, alopecia areata, and pemphigus foliaceus.
How to Diagnose the Cause of Hair Loss in Cats?
When diagnosing the cause of your cat’s hair loss, we take several distinct approaches.
To start, our vets will thoroughly assess your cat and its coat’s condition. This means checking for potential symptoms and asking you for your observations at home. After a complete examination, we may proceed to the following tests:
Skin Scrapings. Our vets will gently scrape your cat’s skin surface to collect samples. Once we have a sample, we’ll use a microscope to determine the cause. Through this, we can identify common causes such as mites, bacteria, and fungi.
Culture and Sensitivity Test. By collecting a sample, we can create a culture that will help us identify the bacteria or fungi involved. Our vets can also determine the best medication to use through this method.
Blood Tests. Bloodwork helps us diagnose hormonal imbalance, detect infections, and assess your cat’s overall health.
Allergy Testing. If we suspect any allergies, our vets can recommend an intradermal skin test or a food elimination trial.
Biopsy. In some cases where the initial tests are inconclusive, we may do a skin biopsy. This can reveal inflammatory responses, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain types of cancer.
How Is Hair Loss in Cats Treated?
Once we determine the cause of your cat’s hair loss, we’ll focus on the dedicated treatment options for the specific cases.
For parasites, we’ll focus on recommending the appropriate topical or oral medications. This can also include medicated shampoos to help soothe the symptoms and recover coat quality.
When it comes to allergies, our vets will consider the use of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or allergy shots if needed. For food allergies, we may recommend a novel protein diet.
Skin infections will be treated with antibacterials or antifungals, depending on what caused the disease. In these cases, medicated shampoos will also be recommended to help the coat recover.
For issues concerning hormonal imbalances, we may need to provide specific treatments for the main cause. This may include hormone therapy, surgery, or medications. The same will be done for severe diseases, as specific treatments may be required.
If stress or anxiety is the cause, then our pet behaviorists will help with further assessments, recommendations, and techniques. This will include home and lifestyle changes.
To help your cat recover, our vets will also recommend dietary changes that fit their specific nutritional needs. We’ll also recommend supplementary treatments like gentle shampoos.
Vet Tips: How to Prevent Hair Loss in Cats
Fortunately, a huge portion of the causes of hair loss can be prevented.
Groom Your Cat Regularly
Keeping your cat clean and well-groomed is an essential part of preventing hair loss. This will include regular brushing routines and occasional bathing. If you need help, you can let our professional cat groomers tend to your cat’s coat health.
Protect Your Cat From Diseases
Another effective way to prevent hair loss is by protecting your cat from the possible causes. This includes parasite preventives and vaccinations, which shield your cat from severe diseases that can cause more than just hair loss.
Provide a Balanced Diet
A good and healthy diet helps keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy. Start by giving protein-rich foods that also have a good amount of vitamins and minerals. You can also provide commercial cat food that specializes in skin and coat health.
Reduce Stress at Home
One key tip is to keep your cat stress-free at home. You can start doing this by establishing consistent routines and keeping the home clean. These can prevent a lot of unnecessary issues.
Schedule Vet Visits
Regular vet visits can allow us to monitor your cat’s health and check for any potential issues that might cause hair loss and many more. We always recommend scheduling annual checkups at the clinic.
“Protecting your cat’s coat is one of the many ways we can protect their health.”
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Final Thoughts
While there are many factors that can cause hair loss in cats, many of these are preventable. When we know what affects our cat’s health, we can take the steps to protect our companions. With a little help, our cats can have a clean coat and a happy life.
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