Treatment For Cat Hair Loss
The easiest cause of hair loss to treat is fleas. Your veterinarian will prescribe an effective method of prescription flea and tick control and recommend products for cleaning your home. If the alopecia is due to a skin disorder , thyroid imbalance or other hormonal imbalance, there are cat medications and topical treatments available. If cat hair loss is due to a behavioral issue, your vet might prescribe anxiety medication for cats. Treating the underlying issue may prevent further hair loss, but without restoring the hair.
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.
Cat Losing Hair Treatment
Treatment for alopecia in cats depends on the cause of the hair loss. This is why its so important to take your cat to the veterinarian for an exam. The vet will ask questions about the hair loss, examine your cats skin and body, and possibly recommend blood tests or other testing. Once the cause of your cats hair loss has been identified, your vet might recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Medications: Certain drugs may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of your cats hair loss. Skin infections require antibiotics or antifungal medications. In the case of overgrooming due to stress or anxiety, anxiety medication may be prescribed. If the cat is itchy, your vet might prescribe an antihistamine.
Diet: If your cats hair loss is caused by malnutrition, your veterinarian might recommend a different food that can address nutritional deficiencies.
Shampoos: Skin infections and mite infestations are often treated with a combination of oral medications and prescription shampoos. Bathing your cat with a moisturizing shampoo can help soothe dry or itchy skin.
Supplements: Certain supplements may improve skin and coat quality. Always ask your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your cats diet.
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Causes Of Cat Hair Loss
There are a few different reasons as to why your cat may be experiencing hair loss. Some cats are born with a skin condition , other cats lose their fur because they are sick or as a side effect to other conditions. The hair loss can also present in different parts of the body.
Knowing the cause of the hair loss will help you determine the best course of treatment for your cat. Here are some reasons as to why your cat may be losing its hair.
Why Is My Cats Hair Coming Out In Clumps Other Conditions To Keep In Mind
- Arthritis: In some cases, localized pain may be to blame if the cat is losing chunks of fur. It may decide to lick the parts that are in pain until theyre bald to get some relief.
- Medication Side Effects: Some conditions, such as allergies and irritable bowel syndrome, may require the use of steroids, specifically prednisone. Although it could help with inflammation and management of cancer , one of its side effects is alopecia.
- Stud tail: In case of uninterrupted secretion of the supracaudal glands sebaceous glands, the cat may have a waxy patch and blackheads at the base of its tail. This is a skin disease called a stud tail that can be treated with antibiotics or neutering. The use of antiseborrheic shampoos is advised as well.
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Why Is My Cat Losing Hair 14 Potential Reasons
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Theres a lot of reasons to love cats, whether theyre perfect pedigrees or magnificent moggies. One of the reasons theyre so great is their wonderful variety of coat colors. Not to mention the irresistibly cute way they groom themselves to keep their fur looking its best. But what if your feline friends glossy coat has seen better days? If your cat is losing hair, you might be wondering why and how to get them looking and feeling their best again. Well, read on to find out.
Can Collars Cause Hair Loss
Collar chafing happens when your dogs collar rubs against his or her neck in the wrong direction, causing discomfort that manifests itself as an abrasion on the skin. Symptoms of collar chafing include hair loss, redness, and skin that seems to have a slight rope burn on the collarbone.
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How Do You Treat Pressure Necrosis In A Dogs Neck
Weekly wiping out the dogs neck region and the contacts of the collar with a moist cloth is recommended. Make daily checks for rash or sores on the skin in touch with the product. If a rash or sore is discovered, the collar should be removed and not worn again until the skin has healed. If the problem persists for more than 48 hours, you should consult your veterinarian.
Diagnosis Of Hair Loss In Cats
Determining the cause of alopecia may require extensive diagnostic testing because of the numerous potential causes of the condition. Be prepared to discuss your pets medical history, any medications or toxins they may have ingested, and any symptoms you have observed. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination while paying special attention to hot spots and the condition of the skin. A smear, culture, or biopsy of the affected area may be required for analysis. Combing of the hair to identify lice, mites, or fleas and examination of the hair at a microscopic level may provide information on the cause. Veterinary staff may also draw blood and complete a full blood panel and a variety of tests for common infections. Analysis of urine, feces, or any fluids may also be required. X-rays or other diagnostic imaging techniques may be employed to look for internal causes like cancer.
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Fleas And Other External Parasites
If your cat is suffering from a flea infestation youll usually notice other symptoms including a noticeable increase in itching. You can eliminate fleas with routine spot on treatments or by using other preventive treatments. If your cat has had an allergic reaction to a flea bite that has caused baldness a vet may administer an injection or other treatment to help reduce the allergic reaction and help calm the area. Hair will usually grow back once the inflammation resolves.
Why Does Cat Hair Fall Out
Cats need to adapt to different temperatures precipitated by the changing of seasons. They do so by shedding in the springtime, although indoor cats may moult throughout the year. It is important to know that this natural shedding is not abnormal. You can distinguish natural moulting as hair coming off the whole body in an even fashion.
When a cat’s hair comes off in patches, especially if it results in a bald spot, then this is not normal shedding. Rather than moulting, this is a condition known as alopecia or, simply, hair loss. It is very rare for a feline to have alopecia all over their body. Instead, generalized alopecia shows patches of skin appearing due to a number of factors. In humans, hair loss can be caused by genetic factors such as hypertension as well as age and illness. Cats generally don’t live long enough for this to be an issue. This means that alopecia in cats is usually down to a health factor.
Alopecia in cats most often presents itself in localized areas such as the nape of the neck, sides or flanks and underbelly. One cause of hair loss in cats is excessive licking. The conical papillae on a cat’s tongue act as a brush with which cats groom themselves for general hygiene purposes. However, if a cat licks excessively, they can end up tearing out the hair and leading to bald spots. This excessive licking will likely be due to some psychological issue which results in compulsive licking.
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Cat Hair Loss Patches Explained
Cat hair loss
Cats suffering from any of these following potential causes, diseases or infections will exhibit other symptoms along with hair loss. Cat owners need to carefully observe the cat’s behavior and notice signs of lethargy, increased thirst, nodules on the neck, or excessive itching.
Why Do Cats Lose Hair On Their Hind Legs
Hair loss occurs in response to many factors, including poor nutrition, autoimmune disease, fungal infections, allergies, and parasites. Cat hair loss can be partial or complete, and the patterns can vary or be symmetrical. The skin surrounding the area of hair loss can appear normal, or it can have redness, bumps, and scabs. Hair loss is a symptom, and the underlying cause must be determined in order to be treated. If a cat has hair loss and is scratching the area excessively, the itching problem should be investigated first. Below are four of the most common causes of hair loss on hind legs in cats.
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Is Your Cat Losing Hair 6 Reasons For Hair Loss In Cats
One of last years litters of foster kittens brought more than joy and heart-melting cuteness to my house. Unfortunately, the outdoor kitties and their mom came with a pack of fleas, and the pests took up residence in the fur of my resident cat, G.G., who had a maddening itch. The itch soon turned into thinning hair on her belly, at the base of her tail and on her hind legs. So, is your cat losing hair? What causes cat hair loss? In G.G.s case the hair loss turned out to be caused by a flea allergy. Lets learn more about hair loss in cats, also known as alopecia in cats.
Abnormal Hair Loss And Balding
If your cat is losing hair to the point where balding spots or patches appear, theres a good chance something is amiss. Below, you can find the most common causes of hair loss in cats. Regardless of what you suspect to be the cause of your cats balding, always contact your vet so they can identify or rule out underlying conditions.
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Overgrooming Due To Stress Or Anxiety
If you notice that your cat is grooming themselves more often than usual, this may be causing them to lose their fur. In rare instances, over-grooming can be a sign of a neurological disorder, particularly in older cats but, more commonly, it is a behaviour triggered by stress.
Overgrooming treatment
Its important to try to prevent over-grooming becoming a habit. One of the most effective ways to treat over-grooming in cats is by intervention. Whenever you notice your cat licking excessively or for a long period, try to interrupt calmly. Perhaps play a game or offer a treat.
Cats are keen self-groomers and take great pride in keeping themselves looking good by licking their fur regularly. They can, however, over-groom by licking too much too often or even biting at and chewing their fur. This can result in the thinning of fur or complete bald patches on your cat, particularly on the front paws.
We Look At This Common Skin Issue In Cats
Cats take good care of their fur, thats why any hair loss can be easily noticed by owners and can rightly be a cause for concern. Bald patches on cats are however fairly common, but they may be caused by any number of conditions sometimes routine, sometimes serious. In this blog we take a look at why your cat might develop bald patches or hair loss and what might be causing it.
If your cat has bald patches that are causing you concern, book an appointment at Knutsford Vets Surgery. We have specialist diagnostic facilities and staff with additional training in pet dermatology.
Contents
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Why Is My Cat Losing Hair Cat Hair Loss Explained
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Does your cat have a bald patch or even multiple bald areas on its body? Most cats naturally shed fur, but more significant hair loss can be concerning.
Bald areas on your cats body can look different depending on the underlying cause. There can also be scabs or skin irritation where there used to be hair.
Hair Loss In Cats Due To Ringworm
If your cat is displaying hair loss in the form of round patches, especially if they are on the top of the head, then it is likely to be due to ringworm. Not actually a parasitical worm as you might expect, ringworm is a fungus which infects the skin. Also known as dermatophytosis, it is a relatively common disorder especially in younger cats. In adults cats, it usually begins when a cat is subject to stress, which could be due to anything from moving home to having a new family member.
Inadequate hygiene conditions are also a predisposing factor. Ringworm is usually self-limiting which means the cat’s own immune system can work to restore their skin back to a healthy condition. When the skin is healthy, the patch of hair will grow back. Without the help of medication, improving immunity, controlling diet and ridding the cat of certain stressors can resolve the problem.
If, however, the case is severe, the veterinarian will likely medicate with a ringworm antifungal treatment for cats. This is likely in the form of a topical cream, an oral pill or even an antifungal cat shampoo for lesser cases. For acute cases the treatment can continue for up to and over 4 weeks, although a resolution should present itself around this time. When healed, any bald spots on the cat should regrow with hair.
Ringworm is diagnosed with the help of a wood lamp. This is a special device which is passed over the suspected area and can illuminate the presence of the infection.
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Treatment Options For Hair Loss In Cats
Of course, the treatment that your veterinarian recommends will depend on the cause of your cats hair loss, and some cats wont need any treatment at all. If stress is the suspected cause, your veterinarian might prescribe anti-anxiety medications or suggest using a calming spray or diffuser. They might also talk you through how to minimize the impact of any stressful changes around the house.
If your veterinarian thinks that your cat might have an allergy, they might prescribe anti-inflammatory or anti-itch medications, as well as advising you how to manage the allergy long term. Your veterinarian can also prescribe pain relief medication, parasite control, antibiotics, or anti-fungal treatments, depending on the underlying cause of your poor pets fur loss.
Final Thoughts On Why Is My Cats Hair Coming Out In Clumps
If you were asking yourself Why is my cats hair coming out in clumps? but are still unsure of the exact cause and possible treatment, its best to let the vet diagnose your cat. The conditions Ive talked about are the most likely culprits, and in some cases, you may be able to manage the hair loss yourself. However, only the vet can consider all the symptoms and test blood, urine, and bacterial culture to determine the cause.
Therefore, dont be alarmed by some of the more severe conditions on this list. More often than not, fleas are the reason your cats fur is losing its fluff. So, take it to the vet as soon as possible to begin treating it with some anti-flea shampoo. Neither the cat nor the fleas will love that part, but at least your pet will once again have a shiny, full coat!
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Seek Veterinary Care For Fur Loss In Cats
The information presented here is not meant to replace professional veterinary diagnosis and treatment. If your cat displays any symptoms of hair loss, ask your vet to examine your pet to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Remember, your cat’s fur protects its skin, so fur loss can become a serious problem if left untreated.
Recovery Of Hair Loss In Cats
The chances of recovery from alopecia depend on the cause of the hair loss. The hair loss in both total and partial cases may be permanent, especially when follicle conditions are the cause. In the event that infections or other treatable conditions caused the loss, the prognosis is usually good after treatment of the cause. Continue to monitor your pets condition, follow all instructions provided by your veterinarian, finish the full course of medications, and return for further medical attention if the situation worsens. Reducing stress in your cats living environment and feeding them a healthy diet will aid in their recovery. Avoid making any major changes until your pet is well on the path to recovery. If hair loss is permanent, your pet can still live a full life. Special attention should be paid to the temperature of their living environment in these cases.
Hair loss can be symptomatic of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection youll have from unexpected vet costs.
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Hair Loss Average Cost
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