What Is Hair Loss In Cats
Cat hair loss can be defined as your cats fur coming out in patches, falling out in larger chunks, or even just a noticeable thinning of their coat. Keep in mind that shedding is completely normal for cats. Their shedding will also increase when the weather changes. So dont panic if you notice extra fur on the ground or on your clothes. You should instead be looking for shedding thats out of the ordinary, like big clumps of fur from one particular spot on their body.
Preventing Mats In Cat Hair
Brushing your cat even just two times a week can drop the chances of your cats hair getting matted. Now all cats are different and you might find every other day brushing is better or just once a week. Just try to continuously be aware of brushing your cats hair to minimize the chances of matting.
What tricks or tips do you have for matted cat hair?
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What Is Hair Loss
Hair loss in cats is a condition that causes cats to lose patches of their coat, resulting in bald sections on parts of the body that are normally covered in fur. A variety of factors can contribute to feline alopecia, so the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder can involve multiple steps. Alopecia may include full or partial loss that appears in asymmetrical or symmetrical patterns in the fur. Additionally, it can include different parts of the body like the neck, the base of the tail, hind leg hair loss, and more.
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Use Electrostatic Or Microfiber Dust Mop For Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors provide lots of spaces for pet hair to hide. Make sure you use the correct cleaning tool to collect all the hair.
Using an electrostatic dust mop will help you collect all of the pet hair which hides between the gaps of hardwood floors.
Microfiber essentially has little hooks that pick up the tiniest particles.
Be warned, doing this will also pick up a lot of dust. You might be surprised by how much of the nasty stuff your floors manage to collect.
You can buy a or your local discount store they are a lifesaver.
TIP: Look for microfiber cloths in your dollar shops and attach them to your broom by making a hole in the fabric and pushing the handle through it.
You will get a mop and a broom in one, and single microfiber cloths are easier to deep-clean as you can throw them in the washing machine with your kitchen towels.
Use The Sticky Side Of Duct Tape To Remove Pet Hair From Blankets And Pillow
Duct tape is a wonder weapon in the war against fur.
It is cheap, and you will always have it around your house.
It works like how you imagine it and is perfect for really ingrained hair, which you cant get out. Wrap the sticky side up around your palm, stick and pull, and watch the hair disappear from your blankets and pillows.
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Home Treatment For Cuts Scrapes Abrasions
Pumpkin Can Help With Fibre A Lot
One of the more interesting sources of fibre used by cat owners for cat hairballs, is pumpkin. This isnt as common an ingredient as some other fruits and vegetables. But, the combination of the lubricating juices and the fibrous pulp can make a big difference. The taste is pretty good too. You can add this to your pets food either from a can or fresh. Fresh takes a lot more preparation and is seasonally dependent. But, canned pumpkin could have less nutritional value and more sugar.
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Add More Fish To Your Cats Diet
The protein source in your cats food can make a big difference too. Fish-based diets provide more oils and lubricants to help the hair pass with greater ease. You could look for wet food with real pieces of salmon or other fish. Or, you could get some sardines and add those to the bowl now and then. Sardines are great as they have plenty of omega oils for brain health. Just remember to use them in moderation.
Use The Prickly Side Of Velcro To Remove Fur And Hair From Furniture And Clothes
Velcros prickly side is excellent for getting the hair out if you have trouble using different methods but be careful this will wear Velcro out.
Dont do this with your favorite clothes.
It should be something you attempt if you have failed using every other method. However, its a great way to remove ingrained fur from your furniture.
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Remedies For Hairballs In Cats
While hairballs arent typically dangerous, theyre not pleasant for your cat to cough up. Its also not enjoyable for you as the owner to hear your cat go through the experience. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help prevent hairballs or reduce their frequency.
Try Cat Food Formulated for Hairballs
If your cat coughs up hairballs regularly, you might consider switching to a diet specifically formulated to help reduce the issue. Many cat food brands have a product to deal with hairballs. The formulas typically include things such as increased fiber, oil, minerals, and vitamins that can help the swallowed hair pass through the digestive system naturally.
Use Rubber Broom To Pick Up Dog Hair From Hardwood Laminate And Tile Floors Instead Of Vacuum And Straw Broom
Using a rubber broom, like FURemover, is the best way to clean dog hair off hardwood floors.
It will help you to get the most out of your cleaning efforts.
The electrostatic properties of a rubber broom act as a magnet, attracting pet hair from hard floors.
One of the most fantastic things about using a rubber broom is how it works.
The hair is magically attracted to the broom bristles from within any cracks in the floors. When we say seems like, this is what is happening.
The differences in electrical charges between the hair and the broom create static, making the hair jump towards the broom. The brush can also pick up dog hairs from any hard-to-reach corners or nooks.
Cleaning with a rubber broom is fun and, to be honest, my favorite because of all the science.
Static is created particularly well in dry areas if you arent lucky enough, running a dehumidifier for 30 minutes before you begin the brushing will increase the electrostatic properties.
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Remedies For Cat Losing Hair
My cat is 2 and has been losing hair since I got her fixed. She is an inside cat and every time I touch her she moves or bites me. Does anyone know why she could be losing hair on the inside of her legs, belly, and a little on the front paws?
By Jess from East Berlin, PA
Answers
Best Answer
It could be a hormone imbalance. Many years ago, we had a cat that was spayed too early, and she then suffered from eczema. She needed a daily dose of Ovarid. You should check with a vet.
Best Answer
Sounds like an hormone imbalance. My vet once told me my cat had a hormone imbalance and I said, “Great, does that mean she has to be on a hormones for the rest of her life”. No, one big pill did the trick. Then she was fine.
Best Answer
Cats who lick excessively ultimately end up removing hair and it may appear to be falling out. Barbering is usually an indication of an itch which may be the result of allergies or in the case of recent surgery may become habit as the incision heals and causes itching discomfort.
Causes And Treatment Of Hair Loss In Cats
What else might be causing your cat to lose his hair? It could be a food allergy. If you’ve changed your cat’s food lately, simply changing it back could get rid of the problem. Cats can also develop food allergies over time, so you may need to try different foods.
Does your cat have a “hot spot”? Also known as acute moist dermatitis, this condition is more common in dogs, but cats can get it, too. Hot spots start with a skin irritation, such as a flea or tick bite. When your cat grooms the area, bacteria can infect the wound. These oozing sores are hot, painful, and can spread quickly. Your cat makes the problem worse by licking the area, keeping it wet and preventing it from healing. After diagnosing and treating the underlying cause , the hot spot needs to be treated. Your veterinarian may shave around the area to promote drying and prescribe antibiotics.
Hair loss can also be self-inflicted due to psychological factors like stress upset cats will sometimes groom excessively to soothe themselves. When you see your cat doing this, you can try to redirect the behavior by giving him more attention . Your cat may also benefit from anti-anxiety medication consult with your vet if the problem becomes severe.
Originally Published: May 24, 2011
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Investigating And Treating Other Possible Allergens
Are Some Breeds More Prone To Over
It has been noticed that some cat breeds such as the Abyssinian and the Siamese are more likely to groom excessively. However, there is no agreement on how common this behaviour is among these breeds. Given the right conditions, such as environmental changes or a skin allergy, cats regardless of breed might choose over-grooming as their soothing solution.
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Home Remedies For Cat Alopecia
Mild cat hair loss can be treated at home using certain home remedies. Lemon juice, baking soda, pyrethrum, and garlic are some of the applauded home natural products that can be used to remove lice, mites, and fleas and treat minor skin infections.
They can be added to cat bath water or spayed on the cats skin.
If after using some home remedies or over the counter products i.e. those for flea, and the cat continue to lose its hair, please see a vet immediately. The cat hair fallout may be due to serious reasons involving even the internal organs.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Pulling His Hair Out
Irrespective of the cause, in all cases where cats are pulling their fur out, it is imperative that they are examined by a veterinarian.
The vet will ask you for background information about the behavior, what it looks like and when its happening, so its always a good idea to be prepared to give as much information as possible.
Here are some things to look out for:
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How To Calm Down A Cat: 5 Herbs For Cat Stress Relief
Some cats are naturally stressed and anxious as part of their demeanor, while others save their freak-outs for car trips and vet visits. This leaves many pet owners wondering how to calm a cat to them a little stress relief in any situation. Fortunately, effective remedies are available that are both natural and easy to administer. Try these herbs and flower essences to help calm down your cat.
Symptoms Of Hair Loss In Cats
Since feline alopecia is a symptom of other health issues, cats experiencing hair loss should see a veterinarian who can perform tests to determine the cause. Your cat may have physical medical conditions that lead to it losing patches of its fur, or it may simply be rooted in behavioral problems like stress that can be managed with lifestyle changes. You’ll notice these signs:
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Over Grooming From Stress Or Anxiety
Cats take pride in their appearance and hygiene. They constantly groom their own fur by licking themselves all over. Whilst this is completely normal behaviour, a cat under stress or suffering from anxiety may lick too much causing bald patches to appear. This can result in thinning of fur all over the coat or it may result in a bald patch localised to a certain area. Particular patches commonly affected by this kind of behaviour include around the stomach and the tail.
In these instances, treatment should focus on relieving stress in whatever way possible. Causes of stress can include a change of home, the introduction of a new pet or animal or something present in their environment that they perceive as a threat or danger.
Owners who notice over grooming should focus on preventing the behaviour by distracting their pet with toys or cuddles. They should also consider using a feline pheromone diffuser or spray, like Feliway, which will help put your cat at ease. There is a danger that the cat might develop over grooming as a long term habit if left uncorrected.
On some rare instances over grooming may occur as part of a neurological disorder or pain. If your cat continues to over groom you should return to your vet.
How To Prevent Hair Loss
Preventing feline hair loss can require a variety of care steps from the owner. If your cat has already experienced alopecia, talk to your veterinarian about the best methods to keep its fur healthy after treatment. Additionally, keeping pests at bay can help prevent itchiness that leads to overgrooming. The following are options for owners to keep in mind:
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Brush Your Pet Regularly To Remove Loose Hair
Keeping a strict grooming regimen on your pet will reduce the amount of shed hair overall.
Using a brush on a pet removes most of the hair that otherwise would end up in your house, but the type of brush you use significantly affects the amount of hair you collect. The added benefit here is that most pets love it.
Grooming will also improve their health by reducing the number of hairballs they get this is mainly a problem for cats.
A bi-weekly brushing routine should do it for most pets start here and see if your furry friend needs grooming more or less often.
Mid-spring and fall are the shedding seasons this is when you might want to do brushing more regularly, up to daily.
Make sure you remove any loose pet fur before it drops off.You can often find large clumps of hair about to fall when brushing, particularly around springtime. They are easy to spot grab them and bin them. Getting the low hanging fruit will make a big difference in the amount of hair you have in your home.
#20. Groom your Pets Regularly to Decrease Extra Shedding
Giving your pets haircuts ensures they look fabulous and removes any excess hair. Following this up with a bath ensures they smell nice and shed less fur.
You can buy special shampoos, which reduce the amount of hair your pet sheds. These can be useful and are worth trying.
Another good thing to do is to stroke your pet, both of you would enjoy cuddles, and you will notice if its brushing time.
Hair Loss In Cats Around Neck
The presence of a bald spot on cat neck is an indication that your cat needs urgent medical attention because it could be suffering from mange. This condition called mange is usually caused by excessive clustering of mites on the cats neck, precisely near the ears. These mites are dangerous because they block the hair follicles making eth fur to be loose and brittle.
When you notice that your cat is over-scratching its neck and there are sores and dandruff, then be assured that your cat is suffering from mange.
If you are lucky to notice those signs earlier enough, you should take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible so that he or she can administer appropriate medication to treat and hinder the spread of mange to other area of the neck.
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