If lately you haven't stopped wondering why my cat is losing its hair, it is very important that you inform yourself to identify the causes, possible solutions and warning signs that will help you decide when it's time to go to the vet.
It is a common and frequent circumstance, since the cat spends long periods grooming itself throughout the day. In any case, it is important to pay attention to the amount lost in case it is a serious problem. Keep reading this article on our site to find out why your cat is losing its hair and what you should do.
Why is my cat losing its hair?
If you've only had a cat in your home recently, you may not be used to the continual trail of fur on your sofa, your clothes, and even in the most unexpected places. For this reason, we affirm that it is normal for cats to lose hair on a regular basis, especially if we are talking about a cat with a long coat.
We must pay attention to cat care, which includes brushing at least 3 times a week. In this way we help you remove dead hair effectively. Now, it is important to note that hair loss in cats can also be due to he alth problems If we observe the decayed or rough coat, the animal loses hair by tufts or has bald spots without any hair, we should worry and ask ourselves why our cat loses its hair.
On the other hand, older cats may lose slightly more hair than younger ones. In this case (and as long as the loss is not excessive) the vet would recommend improving the quality of the feed.
Hair loss in cats due to shedding
Cats, just like dogs, chinchillas or rabbits, change their fur to suitably adapt to changes in temperature. In the case of wild cats or cats that live outside permanently, this change is more pronounced, but inside the home it is not so evident and it does not always occur in the same way due to the presence of air conditioning or heating.
It is during one of the two moults that the cat experiences a great loss of hair. This process usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks and occurs at late summer and early spring In this case, your cat losing its hair is totally normal, and you should look for measures to help you control the amount of fallen fur to avoid an accumulation of it in your home and the formation of hairballs in the animal's stomach. To do this, it is recommended to brush the cat every day and maintain proper hygiene at home. In this sense, the idea of buying a robot vacuum cleaner stands out above the rest for several reasons: it is clean, comfortable, efficient and saves us time.
Hair loss in cats due to stress
Animals, like people, have feelings and memories, which may mean that at some point in their lives they suffer psychological problemsFaced with a sudden change of residence, the loss of a family member or pet, and even adaptation to the carrier, the cat may suffer a more or less mild stress. These animals are highly sensitive to changes, which is why any alteration in their routine can lead them to feel nervous, anxious, distressed, fearful, sad or depressed. All these emotions are also reflected in the state of his coat, which loses vitality and falls off more easily.
What to do if your cat loses its hair due to stress?
For these cases, our site strongly recommends pay attention to the cat to find the cause of stress and combat it. Meanwhile, we can improve its environmental enrichment by adding more scratchers or toys and offering it all our love through caresses, relaxing massages or games. Likewise, it does not hurt to consult with the veterinarian about the option of offering him vitamin supplements. And if your kitty is a glutton, prepare his favorite food to cheer him up.
These are just some of the proposals we have, but you know the cat better than anyone and you will be the one to discover what activities will improve its well-being. If you don't know how to identify if your cat is stressed, go to a vet to rule out this problem or another.
Hair loss in cats due to hormonal changes
The endocrine system of cats plays an important role in whether or not they lose their hair. This system is responsible for secreting the hormones necessary to regulate all those components of our felines' bodies. In addition, the endocrine system is also in charge of digesting food and carrying out all digestion.
If we find ourselves in a situation where the cat loses more hair than normal, it may be due to a hormonal alteration and, therefore, to an alteration in the functioning of the endocrine system. An example of this hormonal alteration can be the castration of the cat However, from our site we recommend first of all visiting an endocrinologist to rule out other possible diseases that perpetuate the fall of her hair.
Here you can also know the price, consequences and procedure of neutering cats.
Hair loss in cats due to toxic substances
When we see that our cat is suffering from hair loss we think of anything that could be causing it. However, it must be taken into account that sometimes this hair loss in cats is due to the intake of toxic substances or medications that do not feel good in the feline stomach. After all, diet is one of the most important factors for a he althy coat, and foods such as chocolate, garlic or raw eggs can be dangerous to your he alth.
My cat is losing its hair and has bald spots, what can I do?
Finally, we must add that there are skin diseases that have a direct impact on our cat's hair loss. The most common are the following:
- Tub
- Dermatitis
- Scabies
- Mushrooms
- Allergies
- Fleas
- Ticks
All the skin diseases mentioned produce as symptoms localized hair loss in cats, reddening of the skin in the affected areas, itching and intense scratching, weakness due to discomfort or loss of appetite and weight. Therefore, if you wonder why your cat is losing its hair and has bald spots, in addition to suspecting that it is due to a disease or the presence of parasites, the most appropriate thing is to go to a specialist ASAP
What to do if my cat loses its hair?
The first measure to take into account is exhaustively examine the animal's skin to rule out or confirm the presence of parasites and/or or the development of some pathology. In this sense, we highlight the importance of worming and vaccination as a preventive measure, since both protect the cat against serious pathogens. Also remember that both fleas and ticks are carriers of multiple diseases, some of them zoonotic (can affect humans). If you want to acquire more information about ticks, do not hesitate to consult this article on our site about the Diseases that a tick can transmit.
In case of illness, the veterinarian will make the diagnosis and establish the best treatment. Under no circumstances do we recommend self-medicating the cat without the approval of a specialist, since administering inappropriate drugs can considerably harm the clinical picture.
If he is he althy and the hair loss is due to the shedding period, the measures to follow will be those already mentioned: regular brushing and the use of a robot vacuum cleaner to keep the house clean. In addition, to prevent hair loss in cats, we can administer omega 3 and 6 supplements, or offer a diet rich in these fatty acids, as they strengthen the coat, add shine and control loss.
