Cats naturally shed their hair at the beginning of each season to gradually recover it. But it happens that the hair loss is abnormal and sometimes even reveals bits of skin.
If you have a cat that is losing its hair to this extent, it is vital to know the cause and implement the appropriate solutions. So, stay tuned with me, I am taking you step by step in this article to fix the problem.
Cat losing its hair: The causes and their different solutions
Each cat loses its hair because its lifespan is limited, like our hair. But several causes can be the source of abnormal hair loss in the home, so here are the most common causes and their solutions. You will also know how to recognize them to act correctly.
An allergy
The cat can be allergic to several things, here are the main allergenic substances for cats, which are similar to ours. It is not directly the allergy that causes the hairs of the cat to fall out, but they can itch and the cat then begins to scratch to get over these genes, it then loses its hair in large quantities.
To food
Cats can have allergies, especially those related to food, which can cause excessive hair loss. If your cat loses hair after you introduce a new food source, an allergy is likely. Remove this new food and go to the veterinarian to determine the exact cause of the allergy and so that he can guide you to a new source of food that will be healthy for him.
Some cats also develop an allergy at some point in their life, without their diet having been changed, and in this case, make sure that your cat can go to the veterinarian if no other cause seems credible to you.
Pollen
Your cat may also be allergic to pollen, if it is pollen season and he has eye problems or a runny nose when he is outside, check the pollen calendar and make sure he can keep his nose free and put some cat saline on him so he can get better. There are many solutions for this allergy.
Overall, you’ll need to get him treated but can keep his symptoms under control by making sure he can stay indoors when it’s really hot and windy, which is a contributing factor, but also that he can have an air with less pollen inside, for example by giving him an air purifier.
To mites
If your cat is sick after falling asleep or lounging in bedding, then he’s probably allergic to dust mites, and you’ll need to get him a hypoallergenic bed, although a trip to the vet is highly recommended.
The stress
Stress and cat do not mix, because if in the wild it is a precious defense tool, allowing the cat to react quickly to threats, it is completely useless in your home, and stress can lead to a excessive licking or scratching, causing this annoying hair loss.
Stress can be due to changes, such as the introduction of an animal, to which it will have to be accustomed gradually. Cats have an adaptation period of about 1 month. You can give him soothing pheromones to calm him down if he’s under stress.
It can also be due to an environment that is too noisy or that regularly surprises him. Your cat needs calm, so let him have this vital need. Everything related to his personal space must be put in a calm place away from stress, because he must feel completely safe there.
Finally, stress can be due to boredom, if your cat feels too lonely, a second cat might be a good idea. And at least give him games that will allow him to occupy himself and exercise, especially if he is still very young, such as an electric fish or a cat wheel.
The stress can even lead to excessive licking and scratching which will make her hair loss worse, with the skin possibly even becoming bloody.
You can recognize a stressed cat by its behavior, very agitated or very fearful, and you will have to accustom it or remove the dangerous element so that it can regain its calm. In the meantime, you can diffuse a soothing spray that will act on his pheromones to calm him down quickly.
Parasites
Parasites are a horror for cats, especially outdoor cats who often catch them in high foliage in the spring and fall. These will then integrate the body of the cat and multiply there, until killing it.
If your cat scratches often or you find parasites in their stool or hair, then the parasites are likely to be the cause, causing them to scratch.
It will therefore be necessary to obtain treatment from your veterinarian as soon as possible in addition to having it dewormed to protect it afterwards, in the meantime, an anti-parasite cat shampoo can help it relieve discomfort and avoid scratching.
Hormonal disorders
Hormonal hair loss occurs in sterilized male cats who will often scratch and hair loss will be visible on the genitals. A hormonal disorder should lead to the vet.
Diseases and infections
Certain fungal diseases can create circular hair loss. If lotion or shampoo doesn’t help, call the vet to give you what you need.
A wound
If your cat is scratching in a specific place, maybe it’s a wound, then you will see a sore. In this case, it is vital to disinfect it at the level of the wound with an antiseptic and to cover everything with a clean bandage, without tightening it too much. Cut the hair around if necessary.
Your cat won’t like it and yet it will help him heal and prevent aggravation from scratching. If nothing helps, the veterinarian is also the only solution for your cat.
The medication
Some medications have side effects that can cause feline hair loss. So if the fall started while your cat was taking a new medication, have it changed by going to the veterinarian.
If the problem is mild, keep an eye on it, but do not hesitate to go to the veterinarian if the problem worsens.
Not enough nutrients
If your cat does not have enough diversified food to provide it with all the nutrients it needs, then it is vital to feed it well with at least cat food and nutritious kibble.
You can also give him omega 3 and 6 so that his immune system is strengthened and he is less prone to diseases and allergies.
If he eats a lot and yet has a dull coat suggesting malnutrition, it is because parasites are absorbing all these nutrients.
Special cases
There are many special cases concerning this problem, here are the most frequent of them.
Cat losing hair and losing weight
By far the most likely cause is the presence of parasites such as ticks and cats which will require prompt treatment and deworming to prevent this from happening again. The parasites are not insignificant and cause the cat to lose weight by multiplying and absorbing the nutrients of the cat, which without treatment will die.
Cat that loses its hair in places or in patches
This is probably the beginning and the problem will spread, the fall can come directly from the problem or cause itching in the cat which will then scratch sometimes until it bleeds. The vet is needed if the problem gets worse.
Cat losing hair on back
This type of hair loss will most of the time be a consequence of a hormonal imbalance. This hormonal imbalance cannot be cured naturally, you will need a prescription from the veterinarian for an appropriate treatment.
Cat losing belly hair
Fleas are most likely responsible for their bites, which will require treatment and also having your cat dewormed to prevent them from coming back. Even indoor cats can catch them, especially in the spring.
Cat losing hair and scratching
Scratching is often the cause of hair loss and it is the most common cause of hair loss, if your cat is scratching, it will be necessary to put in place solutions so that he can no longer tear his hair out and create a wound.
Cat losing ear hair
Attention, because scabies is probably the cause of alopecia areata in the cat’s ears and only medical treatment can get rid of it. Don’t forget the collar so that he can no longer scratch himself and cause hearing damage.
Cat losing eye hair
In the eyes, the fall is sometimes normal, but if the problem evolves or does not disappear, then it will be vital to treat it medically. ditto, the collar is alternative.
The most common questions
Regarding cat hair loss, there are several questions that come up regularly, here is the answer to the most common of them:
Can hair loss be normal?
Hair loss may be normal during seasonal changes, but you will still have to be careful when the losses are significant or are located in certain places, there are also certain breeds of hairless cats.
Will the hairs grow back?
Yes, the cat’s hair will grow back, when the cat gets rid of this problem, new cycles will occur. Cats do not lose their hair permanently even when a wound is present. On the other hand, it will require total healing in the event of a wound, especially if it is deep.
How to treat the wound where there is no hair?
To heal the cat’s wound, you can give it a cat wound cleanser as well as apply a bandage to the area. Take many products dedicated to cats, because the ph of his skin is totally different from ours.
Generic solutions
Whatever the cause of the problem, your cat must receive an adapted solution, you can act by yourself by putting on protective socks that will prevent him from scratching with his paws.
You can also give him a collar if he scratches his face so that he stops scratching that part of his body. the collar has the advantage that he won’t be able to scratch at all, even if he can rub his head to relieve the itching.
Another alternative solution is to give him a protective vest if it is not too hot, which will also prevent itching in the coat.
In addition, to prevent him from itching, make sure that he can have a solution against itching adapted to cats and clean his wound well with products that are also adapted to the fragile skin of cats.
Finally, giving him foods rich in Omega-3 helps nourish his skin and therefore guarantee hair in better condition. Omega-3s are very present in fish oil, especially that of salmon.
My cat is losing its hair: The final word
It is important to know the cause of this hair loss and once the cause has been identified, to implement corrective actions as quickly as possible. Hair loss is easily treatable, provided you act quickly if the situation deteriorates.