Hair loss in cats

Hair loss in cats Why can it be?

Hair loss in cats can be due to natural factors such as hair shedding or it can have a pathological origin. We explore the main conditions that cause such hair loss.

Hair loss in cats can be caused by different factors. Most commonly, it is due to the shedding of natural hair, but in some cases, there is an underlying pathological problem that can lay its foundation in stress, allergies, certain diseases or the action of some medications.

The shedding of hair in cats

Most cats go through a natural shedding process in which they lose a large amount of fur. In domestic cats, which are less exposed to temperature variations, the process of physiological shedding may be lighter, while in cats that live in the wild and those with a long, thick coat, the change is more striking.

Hair changes occur during the spring when the good weather is approaching. In this case, cats get rid of excess hair to stay cooler in the summer. In autumn, on the contrary, they get rid of that hair to develop a thicker coat that protects them from the low temperatures of winter.

Hair loss in cats due to pathological causes and other conditions

1. Stress

10% of cat hair loss cases are due to psychogenic alopecia, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2, and in 14% psychogenic and medical causes coexist. Since cats are very sensitive to changes in their environment, they are particularly prone to stress.

Systematic environmental noises, the arrival of another animal at home, a newborn or a move are the most common factors that stress cats. A poor stimulus environment can also lead to feline stress, especially if the animal is left home alone for many hours a day. In these cases, compulsive grooming or excessive grooming behavior in response to stress is what ends up affecting the skin and causing hair loss. To learn more about this behavior, access the full video of Dr. Laura Ordeix's webinar, “The enigma of feline dermatology. Excessive grooming. "

2. Allergies

Many allergies cause skin symptoms in cats. Food allergies, for example, can cause localized alopecia. Feline hypersensitivity dermatitis, caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to antigens found in the cat's environment, such as pollen or dust mites, can also cause hair loss.

3. Inadequate diet

Since the hair is mainly made up of protein, if the diet is inadequate because it does not provide enough protein or it is of poor quality, the hair will become dull and brittle. On the contrary, a diet rich in high-quality proteins, such as ADVANCE Sensitive Sterilized, which contains the essential amino acids that meet the needs of the cat, will contribute to stronger and shiny hair. In fact, keep in mind that some sterilized cats do not tolerate certain foods well, which could be causing that hair loss.

4. Parasites and other infectious agents

Fleas and mites are a relatively common problem in cats that often cause itching. When the cat insistently scratches or licks its fur to relieve itching, it is common for it to lose its hair in the most damaged areas. Dermatophytosis is another common infection in cats that occurs with alopecia areata and broken hairs. Although there are different fungi, approximately 90% of cases in cats are caused by Microsporum canis. In these cases, hair loss usually occurs on the face, ears, and legs.

5. Other diseases

Although less common, there are other conditions that can also cause hair loss in cats, such as circulation problems that affect blood flow to the hair follicle or hormonal problems, especially when estrogen imbalances occur. , testosterone, melatonin, growth hormone, thyroxine and / or cortisol.

Some diseases also occur with hair loss, such as kidney failure, chronic anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, some types of cancer and liver failure. Some medications can also cause cats to lose hair, such as steroids and topical flea medications.