February 28, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Health

One of the best things about cats is the way they share their fuzzy warmth with you as they curl up beside you. But what happens when Fluffy loses her fluff? Hair loss in pets, called alopecia, always indicates a medical problem with your cat that requires veterinary attention.

There are a number of conditions that can cause a cat's fur to fall out. The number one cause of hair loss in all pets is an allergic reaction to fleas, so this will likely be the first thing your veterinarian rules out. Pets are allergic to the saliva of fleas, so it is important to address the root issue here – the pests. Make sure your cat is on a flea and tick preventative medication such as Frontline Plus, which kills 100 percent of adult fleas on your pet within 12 hours of application. You can also try pet drugs like Pet Armor. Keep your feline on this monthly medication to prevent this problem in the future.

While the fleas are being taken care of, it is important to relieve your pet of the itch that is causing your cat's hair to fall out. Pet products like Yucca Intensive or Excel Hydrocortisone Spray should take care of the itching while moisturizing and soothing the cat's skin and coat. These products will also help if the cat's skin is reacting to another allergy that is causing the hair woes.

Aside from fleas and allergies, your cat could also be suffering from poor nutrition if its fur is thinning. Make sure your cat's pet food is offering a balanced diet to support skin and coat health. If you suspect this is the issue, switch your feline to an option like Wellness Canned Cat Food, which offers a full range of vitamins and minerals.

Certain pet medications like steroids can cause hair follicles to shrink and the hair to fall out, so discuss your cat's medications with your vet to rule out this possibility. Aside from allergies and nutrition, medical conditions like abnormal organ function such as kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease or liver failure may suffer hair loss. Hormone problems may also be to blame. Cats commonly suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is an excess of a certain hormone, causing their skin cells to form oily clumps.

Soothe your cat's skin with pet shampoo like Relief Shampoo, or a product like HomeoPet Skin & Itch. 

Related posts:

1. Why is my dog’s hair falling out?
2. Unusual causes of hair loss in dogs
3. Kitty scratching her ears? Infection may be to blame
4. When ear scratching is too much
5. What to do if Fluffy isn’t so fluffy anymore