Why does a cat have bald spots?
There are many possible reasons why your cat may be losing hair. Some of these may be due to external factors, while others may be a sign that your cat has a medical condition that requires treatment.
Most often, bald spots in cats can be associated with one of the following reasons:
- Fleas or other parasites
- Ringworm
- Stress
- Allergies
- Cancer
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Subcutaneous mite
This parasite causes demodicosis. Damage is caused to both the animal's fur and its skin. There is no consensus yet on how exactly an animal becomes infected. Some suggest that the pet becomes infected from another sick animal. Others think that ticks are on the cat all the time, but only when its body weakens do they begin their destructive effect. The main sign that the parasite is active is hair loss. The lesions are located on the ears, eyebrows, near the mouth and nose, and the paws also suffer. Baldness gradually becomes more noticeable, and dermatitis appears.
How to treat bald spots on a cat?
The treatment needed depends on what caused the bald spots in the first place. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all cure that will help your cat regrow hair, regardless of the cause of its hair loss. For example, treating a cat that is highly stressed is very different from treating a cat that has fleas.
That's why when you notice bald spots, the first step should always be to determine the cause of the problem. Each of the sections below focuses on one of these underlying causes to help you determine what is bothering your kitten. We will also share some possible remedies. As always, if you have any questions or need further support, be sure to contact your cat's veterinarian!
The cat began to lose hair on his neck and behind his ears.
Daughter Sophia (07/11/08) and son Danilka (03/09/11) :)))
02.25.10 13:41 Reply to the message The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by Tella222
Appearance is an eternal letter of recommendation
02.25.10 14:41 Reply to the message The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by Tella222
Freedom for Angela Davis!
02.25.10 16:58 Reply to the message The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by Tella222
The main difference between animals and people is that animals do not keep people in their homes. Although cats may not agree with me.
02/25/10 18:06 Reply to the message The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by Tella222
Corrected by Merigold (25.02.10 18:11)
02/27/10 12:55 Reply to the message The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by Tella222
Corrected by user Ryzhinka (27.02.10 13:17)
02/27/10 23:31 Reply to message Re: The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears of user dm666
Daughter Sophia (07/11/08) and son Danilka (03/09/11) :)))
02/27/10 23:35 Reply to message Re: The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by user Tattunhamon
In response to: Sorry, I didn’t quite understand. The cat’s entire neck is bald, it’s starting to fall out behind the ears, but you haven’t been to the doctors yet and have started a problem? What to do. Run to the doctor.
Daughter Sophia (07/11/08) and son Danilka (03/09/11) :)))
02.28.10 13:30 Reply to message Re: The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by user Tella222
El saber no ocupa lugar
02.28.10 13:54 Reply to message Re: The cat began to lose hair on its neck and behind the ears by user Tella222
Well, I dropped everything and ran. The cat is really scary to look at, but the child is more precious to me, and my husband doesn’t care about the cat.
It's amazing how you treat an animal, which is completely up to you! Why did you even get a live cat? Are you too lazy to pick it up? That’s right, the cat is not a child, he won’t say that he’s bothering him and he won’t tell on his mother to the neighbors.. They dragged the husband in for some reason.. And the baby seems to spend 24 hours a day at your breast continuously, since you can’t “throw away”
Fleas and other parasites
Fleas are one of the most common causes of bald spots in cats. When cats have fleas or other parasites such as ticks or lice, they may scratch or lick their fur to try to get rid of the itchy sensation they experience. However, excessive grooming and scratching is not the only problem! Some cats have allergic reactions to flea saliva, resulting in visible bald spots and irritated patches of skin - usually on the face or neck. Interestingly, this allergic reaction occurs within 14 days of the fleas being gone.
What are the signs that a cat has fleas?
In addition to hair loss, you may also notice adult fleas jumping or moving around your cat's fur. However, adult fleas are not always easy to spot because they move so quickly. Don't rule out that your cat has fleas just because you don't see fleas on them.
Another thing you may find is flea dirt on your cat's fur. Flea dirt, which is flea feces. They usually look like small specks of pepper, but will turn rusty red when rubbed with water.
What should I do if my cat has fleas?
If your cat has fleas, you can treat them just as well as at home. Karen Hiestand explains that you need to treat fleas at all stages of their life cycle to completely eliminate the threat. Each flea lays 50 eggs every day, so it's easy to see how quickly a flea problem can get out of control.
When choosing a flea treatment for your cat, seek appropriate and recommended treatment from your veterinarian. This ensures that the product is safe and effective for your cat.
In addition to treating your cat, you will also need to treat your home to remove any flea eggs or larvae that may have fallen from your cat. There are environmental sprays designed for this purpose. Your veterinarian is also a good source for a safe and reliable product.
What to do if your cat is losing hair and has sores?
Parasites on a cat's body
If the owner notices sores on the pet's skin, it should be examined. Diseases do not require immediate contact with a veterinarian, and in some cases the felinologist is able to help the pet himself. Examination of the fur reveals scurrying insects, as well as their excrement in the form of black dots and whitish eggs. The most convenient option is to apply Spot-on drops to your back and let it dry to prevent licking off. To relieve itching, use antipruritic sprays Stop-Itching or Contravance.
Diet
If there are no ectoparasites, the diet should be analyzed. Stop treats, stop begging. Change the food to a hypoallergenic one, for example, dry food based on lamb and rice. If the diagnosis is correct, improvements become noticeable after 14 days. The situation is more complicated for adherents of natural products. You will have to replace all the components of the food with those that the cat has never eaten. Choose a vitamin and mineral supplement. In such a situation, it will not be possible to do without qualified help.
Animal conditions
At the same time, they analyze the conditions of detention. Place household chemicals in places inaccessible to the animal. Stop smoking in the presence of your pet, and you may have to stop using new cosmetics. Use a humidifier. They remove ornamental plants to places inaccessible to the cat or make a choice in favor of one of the two creatures. Regularly carry out wet cleaning and vacuum thoroughly.
Itching mites (subcutaneous)
If you suspect infestation with tick mites, use the same drops that are used to expel fleas, only more often. To relieve itching, antihistamines are used: Suprastin or analogues, or Stop-itching in the form of an oral suspension or spray. The use of potent acaricidal agents is carried out after consultation with a veterinarian.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections are eliminated under the influence of antimycotics. Most often, in this case, not only the neck, but also other parts of the body are affected. The best option is to treat the cat with Imaverol. External agents in the form of ointments and oral drugs in the form of tablets should not be used independently.
Ringworm is not something to joke about; children, as well as adults with weakened immune systems, can become infected, so the best option is to go to a hospital.
How to eliminate stress
To eliminate the stress factor, it is necessary to have a conversation with children so that they do not torture the animal, and also to influence other pets who terrorize the animal. To calm the cat, they are given oral medications: Stop-Stress, Kot Bayun or Vetspokoin.
Ringworm
Ringworm may be another possible cause of bald spots on your cat. It is more common in kittens or long-haired cats, although older or short-haired cats can still become infected. If your cat has lost hair due to ringworm, you will probably notice that the area of hair loss is rounded.
If you suspect that ringworm may be causing your cat's hair loss, you may want to take it to your veterinarian. They may do a fungal culture or skin biopsy to confirm if your cat has ringworm.
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How can you tell if your cat has ringworm?
You may notice some additional symptoms of ringworm outside of the circular or patchy area of hair loss. These may include dandruff on your cat's fur, dark, red or irritated skin, increased scratching due to itching, and round or oozing lesions on your cat's skin.
Folliculitis
This is an infectious disease that affects the hair follicles, which is accompanied by baldness of the cat. This disease causes severe itching in the animal. The cat's face and neck become bald, pustules appear, the fur sticks together and rolls down. The cat's activity decreases and body temperature rises. Without proper treatment, the disease moves to the stomach, back and base of the tail.
To diagnose folliculitis, you need to do a skin scraping and biopsy. For treatment, the hair from the affected areas is cut off, the pustules are opened, and the skin is treated with ointment. The animal is given antibiotics.
Stress
Stress in cats can manifest itself in a number of ways, one of which is hair loss. Cats that are stressed may begin to scratch or lick their fur compulsively. This is called psychogenic alopecia.
Can cats get bald spots from stress?
Yes, excessive licking due to psychogenic alopecia can cause bald spots. This disease is most common in purebred cats, although these are not the only cats that can be affected.
If you suspect stress is causing your cat's hair loss, you can try environmental changes to relieve her stress. These changes may include separating your cat from other pets that may contribute to stress, providing extra attention, or installing a cat tree to give her a safe place to retreat.
Some cats may also require medications to reduce stress and anxiety. If you think this is the case, talk to your veterinarian to get his thoughts and recommendations.
Worms
These parasites bring a huge number of problems to the body. Hair problems in this case are a secondary symptom. First the fur becomes dull and then falls out. Digestive problems arise, the animal experiences general weakness, bad breath, weakened immunity, and impaired appetite. If you do not treat your pet in time, it can lead to serious consequences and even death. It should also be understood that many types of worms are transmitted to humans. Therefore, prevention should be done in a timely manner.
Allergies
Allergies are the most common cause of bald spots; it causes cats to itch severely and start licking their fur. Over time, this excessive licking can lead to bald spots.
If your cat has an allergy, it can be caused by a variety of factors. Some cats may be allergic to something in their environment, such as dust or insect bites. These cats may require medication to treat allergies.
Other cats may have allergies to food or medications they take. Once you determine the cause of their allergies, you can change their food or medications and may not need treatment.
Dietary rules for those who do not require treatment
Good nutrition is of particular importance for maintaining a well-groomed appearance. You cannot feed your cat from your table. Your daily diet should contain proteins and vitamins.
When feeding natural foods, it is necessary to include meat as a source of protein and fish (omega-3 fatty acids). They are responsible for the healthy appearance of fur. Vegetables, herbs, and seafood are good for cats.
Sour milk improves the absorption of vitamins and has a good effect on the health of the coat.
If the cause of alopecia is a food allergy or lack of vitamins and minerals, you should carefully review your pet's diet. Only foods of at least premium, super premium and holistic classes have a balanced composition containing all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and amino acids.
Cancer
Although it is quite rare, cancer may be the cause of your cat's hair loss. Paraneoplastic alopecia in cats may be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Cats with this condition may shed, scratch, or groom themselves more often.
It is also possible that you will notice cracks in your cat's paw pads. Weight loss and decreased appetite are also symptoms to watch for in cats with feline paraneoplastic alopecia. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian right away.
Adenitis
Most often, adenitis is observed in males. This is a hereditary disease that manifests itself in adolescence or old age. As a result, small crusts form on the ears and head. The fur in these places can be easily pulled out of the skin, and the animal will not even feel it. The affected areas are round in shape and sometimes have an unpleasant odor. If the disease is not cured in time, it spreads to the back and to the base of the tail.
Adenitis appears due to improper functioning of the sebaceous glands. Only a doctor can diagnose it and prescribe treatment after examining a skin scraping.
Psychogenic alopecia
Another form of alopecia that many cat owners don't consider at first is psychogenic alopecia, which causes the cat to pull out and chew its own hair due to anxiety, stress or fear. However, since cats like their daily routine and do not adapt to new people and environments easily, this form of alopecia is quite common.
The main problem here is the cat's behavior because she uses grooming as a way to relax. When it is exposed to too much stress, it can develop into over-grooming, causing the cat to lick fur until it becomes hairless.
The best way to manage this form of alopecia is to take better care of your cat. It is extremely important not to put too much (unnecessary) stress on her and to maintain a consistent daily routine. However, in more severe cases, anti-anxiety medications can also be used.
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