Bald Spots on Cats: 10 Vet-Verified Causes & Treatment Options
One feature synonymous with cats, the hairless breeds notwithstanding, is a soft and fluffy coat. So if your feline has developed a bald spot, we need to find out the cause and get on top of treating the problem. The trouble is that there are quite a lot of conditions that can cause hair loss in our cats; some are merely irritating, while others are potentially deadly. Your vet will be able to diagnose the problem, but in the meantime, here are 10 reasons your cat might have a bald spot, including the options for treatment.
The 10 Possible Causes & Treatment Options for Bald Spots on Cats
1. Fleas
Easily the most common cause of itchiness (pruritus) in cats, fleas are a problem almost every pet owner has had to deal with at some point. Although fleas are a top cause of pruritus, they don’t always cause hair loss. Cats that suffer from Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), however, experience a more severe reaction to these parasites, often resulting in severe pruritus and hair loss, particularly over the back, abdomen, and hind legs.
Cats with FAD do not necessarily have a lot of fleas, so it’s not always easy to spot the problem.
Treatment
2. Ringworm
Don’t let the name fool you; ringworm is a fungal infection, not a worm at all. Fungal spores can spread through direct contact with infected animals or people, but can also be transferred on surfaces, clothing, etc. The classic sign of ringworm is a dry, scaly, circular lesion on the skin that usually isn’t itchy. In most cases, you might see one or two lesions, but immunocompromised individuals can end up with lesions that extend over large areas of the body.
Ringworm is zoonotic, which means that it can spread between animals and humans, so strict hygiene is essential when handling an infected pet.
Treatment
3. Mange
There are a number of different species of mites that can cause the condition collectively referred to as ‘mange.’ One that you may already be familiar with is Otodectes cynotis, or ear mites. The mites that will cause bald spots in cats are Notoedres cati (feline mange), Cheyletiella blakei (walking dandruff), and Demodex (feline demodicosis). Both feline mange and walking dandruff are highly pruritic and contagious, able to spread between animals and humans. Demodex is non-contagious, not usually pruritic, and not overly common in cats.
Mange in cats is more commonly encountered in high-density or feral cat populations, and those in poor living conditions, whereas demodex infection is often an indication of underlying disease or immunocompromise.
Treatment
4. Allergy
Cats can be affected by environmental and food allergies that can result in extreme pruritus, self-trauma, and loss of fur. The most common areas affected are the face, neck, and around the ears, with some cats causing severe damage to their skin through scratching and rubbing.
Treatment
5. Infection/Abscess
More common in cats that live outdoors, superficial skin infections and abscesses will often result in bald patches, due to either damaged hair follicles or trauma from licking. Quite often, the initial cause of infection may go unnoticed, and it’s not until we see a bald spot with a gooey layer or discharge that we realize there’s a problem.
Treatment
6. Skin reaction
A bald spot may appear if your cat has come into contact with an irritant substance. Some cats are allergic or highly sensitive to the ingredients found in some spot-on flea products, resulting in a bald area where the product was applied. In some cases, the skin itself is not inflamed, but in others, significant inflammation and irritation can occur.
Treatment
7. Overgrooming
In addition to skin problems like parasites, allergies, infection, or irritation, cats may also over-groom to the point of causing bald patches for several other reasons, including stress, pain, neurological conditions, digestive issues, and behavioral problems. Once infectious, allergic, and parasitic causes have been ruled out, identifying the trigger for over-grooming can be quite challenging, and often requires some thinking ‘outside the box’ to work out.
Further complicating this diagnostic process is the fact that some cats start over-grooming in response to a particular problem but continue with the behavior out of habit or compulsion once the initial cause has resolved.
Treatment
8. Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex
A particularly frustrating and often recurrent condition, eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) is best understood as the body producing an allergic response to a parasite that isn’t actually there. The result is one or multiple raised, inflamed, oozing lesions that may or may not be pruritic. The condition has been potentially linked to traditional allergy triggers like flea and insect bites, but some medications, foods, and environmental allergens have also been implicated.
Much of the time, the lesions will resolve on their own, but when the cat is particularly itchy, they can cause significant damage to the area, resulting in traumatic wounds and secondary infection. The most common location for EGC lesions to appear is on the hind limbs and the mouth.
Treatment
9. Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common and invasive tumor of the mouth in cats, while cutaneous (skin) SCC is somewhat less common and less devastating. It usually occurs on skin that is light in color with thin fur coverage, with ears, nose, and eyelids most commonly affected. Because it is strongly linked to UV radiation, the individuals most at risk are light-colored cats that spend time in the sunshine, either outside or through windows.
SCC usually appears as hairless, inflamed, or ulcerated skin lesions that scab over and open up, never fully healing.
Treatment
10. Cutaneous Lymphoma
A relatively common form of cancer in cats, cutaneous lymphoma can be tricky to diagnose as it can appear anywhere on the body in many different forms, including nodules, masses, ulcers, or just hairless, flaky skin. Eventually, the lesions typically become red and inflamed and ooze fluid. Diagnosis requires a biopsy of the affected skin, and in many cases, the cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs by the time a diagnosis is made.
Treatment
Final Thoughts
A bald spot on your cat’s skin may be nothing to worry about, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. It is far better to risk being told ‘it’s nothing’ than to miss the opportunity for an early diagnosis of a more sinister condition. If you’ve noticed any bald patches or changes in your cat’s skin, make an appointment with your vet, or you can video chat with one online at PangoVet.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit: wk1003mike, Shutterstock
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Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian)
Dr. Karyn comes from Queensland, Australia, and has lived in the UK for the past 10 years. In 2010, she graduated from The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science and also has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She is passionate about using evidence, experience, and owner collaboration to provide the best solutions for pets, and believes in making reliable information about animal health accessible to all. Dr. Karyn shares her home with five cats, four dogs, and one husband. When she is not in the scrubs, she spends her time writing, gardening, and cleaning up pet hair!
