Health & Care
Orange ginger tabby cat itching. Photography ©foaloce | Thinkstock.

Is Your Cat Losing Hair? 6 Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats

Yikes … are you noticing your cat losing hair? Hair loss in cats, or alopecia in cats, may have a few different causes. Let’s examine some of them here.

Kellie B. Gormly  |  Jan 23rd 2019

One of last year’s 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 hair loss in cats? In G.G.’s case the hair loss turned out to be caused by a flea allergy. Let’s learn more about hair loss in cats, also known as alopecia in cats.

First, let’s define hair loss in cats

A tabby cat being pet.

First, what exactly is hair loss in cats? Photography by Ramon Espelt Photography / Shutterstock.

A cat losing hair — also called alopecia in cats — can be complete or partial and happens in felines for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is skin allergies, experts say. Dr. Fiona Bateman, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, regularly sees hair loss in cats at her clinic.

Is alopecia in cats ever ‘normal’?

Some cats have hereditary alopecia. For example, Sphynx cats are born without hair and never grow any.

Another type of normal hair loss is pinnal alopecia – hair loss on the outside of the ear pinnae — which is common in Siamese cats but usually resolves on its own. Many adult cats also experience preauricular alopecia — thinning of fur on the skin strip between the ears and the eyes, which is considered normal in cats, Dr. Hayworth says.

What about acquired alopecia in cats?

The rest of the cat population, which is born with normal fur, gets acquired alopecia — which is a symptom of a disease or condition, and not a disease itself. The veterinarian will diagnose the underlying condition, Dr. Bateman says.

With a cat losing hair, will that hair grow back?

The good news for cat parents is that this hair loss in cats usually doesn’t indicate a serious illness, and the hair can usually grow back, Dr. Bateman says. Dr. Hayworth, of VCA Northview Animal Hospital in the Pittsburgh suburbs, explains that how well a cat losing hair can be treated and reversed depends on the underlying cause.

“Generally, if we can reverse the cause, then we can get the hair to grow back,” Dr. Hayworth says. “This is especially true with over-grooming related to allergies. So, if you notice hair loss in your cat, it is definitely worth a trip to the doctor.”

These are six of the most common conditions behind a cat losing hair. Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, as alopecia in cats is a broad condition with many potential factors.

1. Allergies — Particularly to Fleas — and Itching and Over-grooming

An example of G.G.'s hair loss.

An example of G.G.’s hair loss due to a flea allergy. Photography courtesy Kellie B. Gormly.

Fleas can bite and irritate any cat, but some cats have a hypersensitivity to antigens within the flea saliva. These allergic cats get miserably itchy if they encounter fleas — and many of them will over-groom as a way of scratching the itch. The hair doesn’t just fall out; the cats actually lick it so much that they pull their hair out.

“It’s not that the hair can’t grow,” Dr. Bateman says. “These cats are licking it out faster than it can be replaced.

“About 90 percent of those cats we see in our clinic are over-grooming,” she says. “It is much less likely that the hair is falling out and not regrowing.”

Sometimes, a cat may engage in compulsive grooming because of neuropathic pain from nerve damage in the skin. In rare cases, a cat may groom too much and lose hair for psychogenic reasons, like anxiety after a stressful event; but, it’s more likely that cats licking off their hair are itching from flea allergy, Dr. Bateman says.

Mange, scabies and lice also can make a cat’s skin itch — leading to the same over-grooming and a cat losing hair. Mites, food allergies and environmental allergies also can cause itching and over-grooming.

2. Pain

Sometimes, a cat will lick an area of his body too much not because it itches, but because the tissue underneath the skin hurts, Dr. Bateman says. A cat with arthritis, for instance, may lick at the achy joint constantly because it is painful, and licking helps relieve the discomfort. The problem is, the cat licks away the hair, too.

Dr. Bateman once saw a cat who had a fractured rib. The kitty licked at the painful rub so much that he had become bald around that bone.

3. Infections

This isn’t as common a cause of a cat losing hair as allergies are, but it does happen. Cats with infectious conditions like staph infections and fungal infections like ringworm may lose hair in the affected areas, Dr. Hayworth and Dr. Bateman say.

4. Endocrine Disorders

A cat losing hair may have hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid, which causes weight loss and other symptoms. Outside of the thyroid, if cats have a hormonal imbalance and an increased level of steroids in the body, the hair follicles may die; and with abnormal hormone levels, new hair may not grow back. For instance, Cushing’s disease, a metabolic disorder that produces too much cortisol, may cause alopecia in cats.

5. Medication Side Effects

Transdermal prednisone causes alopecia and curling of the ear pinnae. Usually, Dr. Hayworth says, stopping the medication will reverse this condition.

6. Cancer

Thankfully, cancer is a rarely the reason for a cat losing hair; it is far more likely that your kitty’s hair loss is nothing serious. But neoplasia — a term for abnormal growths caused by uncontrolled division of cells — may cause hair loss in cats. Another serious condition that occurs secondary to cancer is paraneoplastic alopecia, which is hair loss associated with itching and moist skin, Dr. Hayworth says. However, these serious causes are rare.

The bottom line on hair loss in cats and alopecia in cats

Don’t panic over a cat losing hair — just take your cat to the veterinarian for an exam. “Chances are, it is not serious,” Dr. Bateman says. “But you don’t know that just by looking at the cat, which is why it’s important to get it checked out.”

Tell us: Have you had your own experience with a cat losing hair? What issue was at hand?

Concerned about hair loss yourself? Read this!

Thumbnail: Photography ©foaloce | Thinkstock.

This piece was originally published in 2018.

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    Contributions

    36 comments on “Is Your Cat Losing Hair? 6 Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats”

    • Pingback:Is Your Cat Losing Hair? What It Could Mean | Litter-Robot Blog
    • Emilee Cline says:

      Several weeks ago I noticed that my female tabby had lost a considerable amount of hair on the underneath side of her tail. Also, her belly had a rash and was also missing hair. We took her to the vet and had a baseline blood test. Dr Sehn determined that due to the results and no signs of fleas that she had developed food allergies. We’ve changed her to a single protein rabbit diet. The hair does NOT seem to be growing back in. How long might this take?

      Reply
    • Robert Sanderson says:

      For the past several weeks my female cat as started loosing hair from the base of her tail going about 3 inches up her back & in the past few days in one straight line about 1/4 of an inch thick & about 6 inches long she as also started loosing hair? And it only seems to be getting worse? She grooms & cleans herself more than before? Her appetite is good if anything better than before the hair lose? Hope you can help many thanks

      Reply
    • Jennifer says:

      My cat has been rapidly losing hair the last three weeks or so. He’s probably about 30-40% bald right now. He seems like he’s not sleeping well and he surely isn’t the same, behaviorally. He seems “affected” is the best way I know how to describe it. He had a yeasty build up on the paws and face and the vet gave drops and a shampoo for that but the treatment is EXTREMELY stressful for him and us. I’m afraid the treatment will cause more damage than the yeast. His blood work came back normal but he is not normal. Something is very wrong. We moved near wind turbines in the last 15 months and I’m really worried the infrasound is radically affecting his sleep and this is part of the cause of his hair loss. I’m very concerned for his welfare but, other than the yeast, my vet had no idea what could be wrong with him. I’m hoping it’s the yeast, but I’m not confident that it is. I hate bathing his feet every day, for his sake, because it stresses him out so badly. I hope someone here might be able to give other ideas.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says:

        Never mind. I see you guys never provide any helpful information. Just, “go to the vet.” Well DUH. I spent $400 at the vet with no good answers, so telling me to go to the vet won’t help. So if that’s all you have to say, don’t bother.

        Reply
        • Jennifer says:

          What did you expect Catster to do? If you read the article it suggests at least five causes. Who but a vet can determine the cause? I would have tried another vet before spending $400 without results. By the way, I just discovered a large hairless area on my cat’s hind leg and am taking her to our vet tomorrow.

          Reply
      • Mg says:

        My 15 year old male cat has a similar condition. The vet has not been that helpful. He does have a tumor in his mouth but he is still eating a lot. Hair loss around his nose and legs is very noticeable. He also has a yeasty drool ….. he is an outside-inside cat. Just wondering if u found anything that helps. Thanks

        Reply
    • Marti says:

      What test do I ask the vet to do? My cat is an indoor cat, no fleas. The vet gave him a couple of steroid shots and they did seem to help, the first stopped the scratching and gnawing longer than the second. But the vet said too many steroid shots are bad for his kidneys. Then the vet gave him some hormone pills and they did nothing. All this with no testing, just guessing by the vet. I’d like to know for sure what is going on so I can treat it. My poor cat looks like he is going bald.

      Reply
    • Madhu says:

      My cat Duvi is now 4months’ old.she is suffering from hair fall.I don’t know whether this is hereditary or not.bcz Luvi(it’s twin cat born with Duvi) is fine and healthy.Duvi was also healthy.But from nearly 2 weeks she is losing hair.Can anyone suggest remedy for this??plz????

      Reply
    • Sharon Roy says:

      My 1 year old cat suffered a fractured pelvis 3 weeks ago. We are not sure how it happened as he is an outside cat. He is now very skiddish and has started losing clumps of hair. Is this a normal reaction due to the trauma?

      Reply
    • Pingback:Why Cats Lose Hair – Cat Daily News
    • Jacob says:

      I have a 6 year old black female. Over the last month I have noticed on her front right inner paw that the first 2 digits had a little bit of thinning fur but the underlying skin seemed altogether normal besides being a little loose;fast forward to now, the hair loss has progressed half way up her forearm almost to the elbow and her shin is almost completely baggy and free of almost all rigidity all the while not having any lesions or bumpy growths. I am concerned at this point and want a second opinion before I go to the vet(I hate to go to the vet uneducated.) any input helps, thanks!

      Reply
    • Beth says:

      I’ve taken my 13 year old tuxedo cat to the vet after seeing hair loss around her ears. They gave me drops to apply twice a day inside to stimulate moisture. I have seen no change and notice her lower abdomen is pink and not covered in her white fur. I treat her with flea medication every month and she lost her adopted sister 6 months ago. Nothing else has changed. I don’t know what else to do. Please help.

      Reply
        • Kristy Champion says:

          Yeah, just talk to your vet (read sarcasm)….and after several months of “the cause might be this, or might be that…..let’s try this treatment, and if that doesn’t work, let’s try that treatment” and $2000 worth of tests and office visits you MIGHT get a specific diagnosis and a specific course of treatment that will produce wonderful results. But I never have. Hope you have better luck with your vet!

          Reply
          • Desiree' A says:

            So agree with you. We Love our pets….they’re part of out Familys’. Vets really do rip you off and no one will tell me different. Find a good, reasonable, caring vet. Look around hard. I work with animals so much. Also rescues etc. Nothing irritates me more when I hear a person say…”He or she shouldn’t have a pet if they can’t afford medical care.” As much Love and concern that I see 99.9% of people have for their pets or just animals in general, that could not be farther from the truth. Vets play on that, and its a disgrace what most of them charge.

            Reply
          • Jennifer says:

            Have you or someone else had to wait a long time before doctors could finally discover what’s wrong with you? Often it takes years (especially in autoimmune diseases) after tests and scans to discover the problem. Why expect a vet to diagnose a problem immediately?

            Reply
    • Courtney says:

      My female 1 year old cat, is going bald everywhere. She’s gone completely bald around her tail and bum area now it’s spreading to her sides and her back. She isn’t eating a lot either, I’m really worried she normally doesn’t bother with us but she’s being extra clingy

      Reply
    • Xena McLean says:

      My cat age 18 has arthritis in her hips ( may have progressed to other places) and have been given gabapentine liquid pain killer for her food. She also has glaucoma which require drops in both eyes. She gets a very thick frothy drool after glaucoma drop administration. Within in 3months she has had two strokes (vet said stroke or brain tumour). I feel they are strokes as my cat has gotten better each time but tends to be weaker on left side always. Now I’ve noticed that she has a bald spot on her right paw where the hair is easily coming out. No hair pulls out on left paw. She is not licking her paws at all. She used to be a fastidious cleaner but now she’s like an old person and her hygiene has fallen by the wayside. The skin is nice and smooth beneath. Any thoughts.

      Reply
    • Regie Johnson says:

      Tako, my four-year-old former feral male orange tabby, received a Frontline gold flea application between his shoulders May 1. Two weeks later there was a dime-size bald spot. He is a groomer but has no other such bald spots and cannot lick that area. Getting him to the vet was impossible after two tries. Any suggestions?

      Reply
    • Robert Thomson says:

      Tazzy, one of my senior,(16) special needs (stageII kidney disease and severe osteoporosis) rescue cats was shedding, a lot. He really didn’t develop any bare patches but I started adding fish oil to his RX wet food and that seemed to alleviate the excessive shedding. Tazzy is a domestic long hair cat.

      Reply
    • Edwina says:

      My cat’s hair just about disappeared on the whole backside of her tail, her back legs, part of her tummy, and her whiskers became short or non-existent. Vet couldn’t find anything really wrong with her. It occurred to me that she could be mineral deficient because I use purified water in their water fountain, though it did not seem to affect her brothers. I tried various brands of vitamins, and found one that was fantastic. In ten days she was showing fuzz, in another week she substantially had her fur and whiskers growing back. She has been great ever since with thick long fur and full whiskers. The brand that worked was Organic Ninth Life Vitamins. You can buy it online. I only give her a tiny pinch of the powder mixed in a little wet food once a day as maintenance. If you give too much (per the package) they won’t eat it. It can also be lightly tossed with their dry food. One package for my baby is lasting well onto a year and we haven’t yet run out.
      I also had a Maine Coon that lost his hair in circle type patches, larger one and smaller ones. Wasn’t fleas. Vet said there was no apparent reason without expensive testing which I could not afford anyway. I thought about it, and sprayed the patches with Sovereign Silver Colloidal Silver (throat spray type because they will lick it). In just a couple of days of a couple of sprays per day, it was healing up and within a week the hair had begun growing back. In a month you would never be able to tell he’d ever had a problem with his thick double-fur coat! Hopefully, you are already feeding your kitty a no or low-carb high quality food and some or all raw and all non-GMO. Vaccines can also cause fur loss.

      Reply
    • Robert Schlarmann says:

      My cat began losing hair that resulted in a bald patch at the base of her tail and very thin hair over the rest of her body. The vet was unable to determine the cause but then I had an insight as to the possible cause. My cat loved to sit on my chest and it occurred to me that maybe the testosterone treatment I was applying to my chest may be seeping through the shirt and my girl was picking some up. I changed to injectable treatments and soon her hair grew back. The shots are painful, but it’s a small price to pay to have a healthy fully furred feline.

      Reply
    • Sybil Holiday says:

      My 6yo male Maine Coon mix rescue licked his lower tummy clean. He was really over-cleaning himself a lot.
      After tests to be sure (nothing wrong), the vet & I determined he was depressed because the other person in the house was gone a _lot_ more now.
      He is now wearing a “calming collar,” person pays more attention when here, and I do as well (altho there are only so many hrs in a day!)
      His tummy is almost back to normal!

      Reply
    • Karen R. METH says:

      My cat has hair loss on the back by his tail, on his heels and thinning hair on his ears. My vet took scrapings and sent them to the lab. One culture came back bacterial and there was no fungus. However my vet had me give .5ml orbax to him for about a month and there has been no improvement, and he also had me apply terbinafine twice a day for several weeks, but I stopped it because I thought it was actually makingi
      the hair loss worse. So I have another appointment scheduled for three weeks from the last one and I don’t see any improvement after three months.

      Reply

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