Mary Allen
A certain amount of shedding is perfectly normal in cats, but excessive shedding that causes bald patches in the cat’s coat is not. The causes for this can be physical or psychological in nature and should be clarified urgently.
As part of the change of fur, it can happen that your cat loses more hair than it grows back. If the hair loss occurs in clumps, so that bald spots can already be seen in the coat, it is important to sit up and find out the cause. There can be a variety of reasons for bald patches on a cat’s fur.
Cat Loses Fur: Is FSA Behind It?
Bald spots in the fur occur when cats groom themselves excessively and lick their fur too much. The cat‘s tongue has hard papillae that the kitty uses to pull out its hair, so to speak.
This is referred to as “Feline Self-Induced Alopecia”, or FSA for short. The disease can be seen in cats of all breeds and genders, usually from at least one year of age.
The fur noses often “epilate” secretly and the pet owner doesn’t even notice so the question of what’s wrong with the cat only arises when the first bald spots are discovered.
Parasites are the Most Common Cause of Bald Spots in the Fur
If the cat loses fur and thus gets bald spots, this can also be due to a parasite infestation. Because of mites, fleas. lead to itching. The result: the cat scratches more and more and there is fur loss and possibly also redness and crusting on the skin.
Although some parasites are quickly diagnosed and can be treated well, there are also a number of other specimens that are not so easy to find and cause severe tingling in the cat’s fur.
Since parasites are one of the most common causes of bald spots, the cat should first be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian.
Other Possible Causes: Allergies & Diseases
Almost as often, allergies are the cause of itching in cats. Dust, pollen, cleaning agents in the house, or a food allergy can trigger itching and should be ruled out as caused by allergy tests.
Especially when the cat is old, the constant cleaning can also indicate hormonal disorders such as an overactive thyroid gland. If the cat shows other symptoms of illness, it should also be examined for organic causes.
Skin Fungus as a Cause of Hair Loss
Another common cause of severe hair loss in cats is an infestation of skin fungi, which definitely needs to be treated by a veterinarian. With this condition, itching occurs and the cat’s coat has round or oval bald patches.
Inflamed skin areas are very unpleasant for the animal, and the skin fungus can also be transmitted to humans. Anyone who discovers severe changes in their pet’s coat should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible because the causes can be very different and urgently need to be clarified.
Psychological Causes for Bald Patches in the Fur?
It has not yet been clearly proven whether constant cleaning can be caused by psychological factors. If you and your vet suspect that stress, a move, a new family member, or a loss could be the cause of your pet’s behavior, you should still try to find a solution to the possible nervous licking and see if the symptoms improve thereby improve.
Bach flowers, homeopathic remedies, and fragrances such as Feliway can have a supporting effect in consultation with the veterinarian.