Is Your Cat Losing Hair? 6 Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats
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
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 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.
23 comments on “Is Your Cat Losing Hair? 6 Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats”
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?
Hi Sharon,
Hope your kitty is feeling better! We suggest taking your cat to the vet.
This site is stupid. Every reply is “see the vet, see the vet, see the vet” pointless site really
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!
Hi there,
Yes, definitely take your kitty to the vet. These articles might provide some insight, too:
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/interesting-facts-cat-paws
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-skin-problems
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-facts-weird-science-cats-paws-feet-toes
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/5-cat-facts-cats-paws
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.
Hi there Beth,
Thanks for commenting! We suggest contacting the vet who gave you the drops with your concern.
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!
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
Hi there Courtney,
Thanks for reaching out and we are sorry to hear this is happening to your cat. We suggest contacting your vet about this to make sure there is no underlying medical issue causing the hair loss. In the meantime, here is an article about what to do when your cat isn’t eating:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-not-eating-what-to-do-when-cat-wont-eat
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.
Hi Xena,
We suggest contacting your vet. You might want to read these articles, too:
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-skin-problems
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/what-causes-scabs-on-cats
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/what-is-cat-dermatitis-and-what-can-you-do
Hope your kitty feels better!
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?
Hey Regie,
Sorry to hear that you’re going through this. Here’s how to get your cat to the vet even if he really hates it: http://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/how-to-get-your-cat-to-the-vet
Also, some vets make house calls. We suggest calling your vet or asking around to see what you can do!
These articles might also provide further insight when you talk to your vet:
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/why-are-there-scabs-on-my-cats-back
http://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-skin-problems
My male cat had that problem with revolution once though in general,
I haven’t had that problem with revolution. Anywho, I decided to apply it to several spot close together between my cat’s shoulders and when I did that instead of all in one place he didn’t get the bald patch.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
My cat is just over a year old but continues too bite really hard and he is very well fed.
Hi Sarah,
These pieces might help provide some insight:
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-love-bites-what-do-they-mean
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-aggression-during-petting
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-to-treat-cat-bites-puncture-wounds
http://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-stop-kitten-biting