Hair Loss in Cats

Alopecia is the medical term for excessive hair loss, which can be quite common in a number of animals including cats. Losing a few strands of hair is not an alarming condition, but, excessive hair loss may indicate a number of cat health problems. Cats suffering from the problem of hair loss are often observed to pull and chew their furs frequently. Hair loss can cause bald patches on the surface of the body and the skin may remain unaffected or appear red with small bumps and blisters, depending on the underlying cause. Apart from causing bald patches in some specific areas of the body, alopecia can also affect the normal growth of hair on the entire body.

Hair Loss in Cats: Causes
There can be varied reasons behind hair loss in cats. Sometimes, it can be caused by disorder of the endocrine system, while at other times, it can be a result of mite and flea infestation. Some of the common causes of hair loss in cats are explained below.

Flea Bites
Cats are very allergic to flea bites, which produces severe reactions like itching and redness. Such reactions to flea bites, compels the cat to scratch and pull the hair of the affected areas. Apart from hair loss, flea bites can cause severe infection and development of crusts and scales on the skin. It more frequently causes hair loss in cats on the back and the tail.

Mites
Like fleas, mite infestation can also cause hair loss in cats. Mites can cause the disease, known as mange, which is characterized by scaliness, hair loss and itching. Continuous scratching of the affected areas by the cats, can aggravate the condition and cause significant hair loss. Know more about mange in cats.

Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungus that can affect both cats and dogs. It generally causes hair loss in cat's ears, head and face. It can also cause hair loss in cats on legs. In addition to hair loss, the skin of the affected areas can become very dry and flaky or crusty. Find out more about ringworm in cats and ringworm treatments for cats.

Allergies
Both food and environmental allergies can induce excessive loss of hair in cats. Food allergy often results from the intake of some specific proteins. It can cause the appearance of small red bumps and redness of the skin on a small area, which eventually can spread to a large part of the body. The severe itching caused by the condition forces the cats to rub or scratch the affected areas vigorously, which results in hair loss. Similarly, inhalation of some environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites can also induce hair loss in cats. Contact dermatitis, is another type of allergy that is caused when the skin comes in contact with some specific substances. Substances that can cause contact dermatitis in cats include wool, rubber, plastics, chemicals, dyes, carpet deodorizer, etc. Know more on cat skin allergies.

Endocrine Apolecia
Hair growth is regulated by the endocrine system of animals and hence, any kind of disorder in the system can result in apolecia or hair loss. Excessive production of hormones, as well as their deficiencies can affect the normal growth of hair. Bald patches can appear on the body and tail in such a situation. It has been observed, that hair loss caused due to hormonal imbalances may not affect the entire body uniformly, especially hair growth on areas like head and face may remain unaffected.

Psychogenic Alopecia
Cats are very sensitive animals and a number of psychological factors including stress, boredom and changes in the environment like addition of a new member (a baby or a new pet) can induce them to over groom. They respond to such environmental changes by excessively licking or chewing the furs, which can cause hair loss.

Thyroid Problems
Apart from the above mentioned causes, hair loss in cats can be a symptom of some underlying problem with the thyroid glands. Both under active and over active thyroid gland can cause hair loss in cats. Along with hair loss, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause skin flaking and hot spots in cats.

Cushing's Disease
It is a glandular disorder, that is characterized by over production of steroid hormones by the adrenal glands. One of the common symptoms of Cushing's disease in cats is hair loss in a symmetrical pattern.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hair Loss in Cats
Diagnosis of hair loss in cats requires a number of physical examinations and tests, as it can be caused by a range of factors. Some of the common tests include skin scrapings, fungus culture, blood tests, etc. Treatment for hair loss, on the other hand, is determined by the underlying causes. So, each specific cause would require different type of treatment. Know more about cat diseases, hair loss in cats.

Therefore, one should immediately consult a veterinarian on observing bald patches and excessive chewing or grooming by the cats, so that, the exact causes can be determined and addressed on time. In the meantime, be sure to take adequate care of your cats, by providing them a balanced diet, and controlling the factors causing stress and anxiety. Also protect them from potential allergens, use medicated soaps and ointments and keep them away from mite or flea infected animals, in order to prevent hair loss in cats in the future.