Hair Loss in Cats: 6 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Losing Hair

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

If you notice your cat losing hair, it's natural to feel worried. Fur loss and bald spots should not be ignored. The good news is that often, hair loss in cats is perfectly natural. But sometimes, it can become excessive due to something environmental, like stress or allergies. In other cases, fur loss can be a sign of an underlying illness that needs treatment. It's important to work with your veterinarian to identify the cause of your kitty's hair loss.¹ This guide will help you understand six common reasons why your cat might be losing hair.

Normal cat hair loss

Shedding in cats is perfectly natural. Your cat may even shed more when the weather is warmer. But if you notice bald patches or your cat is suddenly shedding more than normal, causing areas of hair thinning, it may be time to visit your veterinarian.²

Abnormal hair loss is often accompanied by:

• Reddening skin³
• Sores,³ scabs or bumps on the skin⁴
• Shedding more than normal³
• Excessive itching,³ biting or gnawing on the skin⁴

Why is my cat losing hair? 6 common causes of hair loss in cats

Not only can hair loss (sometimes called alopecia) be a sign of an underlying disease, but it may also lead to secondary infections if your cat is itching a lot and creating sores. Your veterinarian may need to perform skin cultures, biopsies or blood or urine tests to identify the cause.³

Below is an overview of six common causes of hair loss in cats.

1. Allergies

Sometimes allergic reactions cause hair loss, hives, itching, biting or open wounds in cats.¹ This can be an allergy to something in the air, like pollen or dust,⁵ or even food allergies.⁴

Narrowing down what's triggering the allergy is the tricky part. Unfortunately, there isn't one single test that can rule out everything. Instead, you'll need to work with your veterinarian to eliminate things from your cat's environment, if possible, until symptoms subside.¹ However, since many allergens can't be eliminated, managing symptoms with prescription allergy medication may be imperative.

The only surefire way to identify a food allergen is through a food-elimination diet. This involves feeding your cat a novel protein they weren't exposed to before (such as rabbit) or a hydrolyzed protein that's less likely to trigger an immune response. You'll need to try the diet for at least eight weeks, and your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-inflammatory for the first few weeks.⁶

2. Other dermatological issues

In addition to allergies, other dermatological issues can lead to hair loss:

• Parasites, fungal or bacterial infections: These can cause itching and pain that leads to hair loss.³ Examples include mites and ringworm, but there are many others.⁴ Your veterinarian may give your cat a topical treatment, a preventive medicine or antibiotics for secondary infections.
• Fleas: Flea sensitivity is a common cause of hair loss. Flea control treatments can help.³ However, you'll also need to treat the environment and any other pets your cat comes in contact with.⁶
• Skin trauma: Sometimes skin trauma, like a burn or radiation treatment, can cause hair loss.³

3. Hormonal imbalances

Hair loss is a common symptom of different types of hormonal imbalances.

• Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism occurs when your cat's thyroid overproduces hormones. Symptoms include hair loss or an unkempt coat, hyperactivity, a fast or abnormal heart rate, weight loss and increased appetite (though in some cases, the opposite: decreased activity and decreased appetite, especially in case where the disease is more advanced). Treatment can range from medication to diet changes or surgery.⁷
• Hypothyroidism: This occurs when your cat's thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones; however, it is very uncommon in cats. Symptoms include hair loss, matting, lethargy, weight gain and cold intolerance.⁸
• Cushing's disease: This occurs when a cat's adrenal glands produce abnormally high levels of cortisol. Thin, fragile skin is the hallmark sign of Cushing's disease in cats. Treatment may include medications, surgery or radiation.⁹

4. Nutritional deficiencies

Sometimes, nutritional deficiencies in your cat's diet can cause a dull coat and hair loss.¹ In fact, nutritional deficiencies—especially protein, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies—can directly inhibit or slow hair follicle growth.

Note that these deficiencies are very uncommon if you're feeding a commercially approved cat food, which is nutritionally balanced. It's more likely that your cat has an underlying disease that makes protein absorption poor, such as interstitial parasites or intestinal disease, for example. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right diet for your kitty and the cause of your cat's health issues.

5. Behavioral causes

Stress and anxiety are common triggers for overgrooming.¹ Grooming may serve to help calm cats' anxiety and distress, and it may eventually turn into a compulsive habit.⁴ Any type of change in your cat's routine can trigger stress. This can include a new pet or even simply getting new furniture.¹⁰

6. Age-related hair loss

While hair loss can occur at any age, senior cats may be more likely to develop issues that can contribute to hair loss. These include thinner skin, hair matting (usually due to a decrease in grooming), pain from arthritis (which can lead to licking and hair loss), increased stress or other illnesses.¹¹ This is why regular veterinarian checkups are so important.

In addition, some cats (especially breeds like Rexes) are born with congenital hair loss (hair follicles that didn't develop fully.) In these cases, cats might show hair loss when they're kittens.³ Your veterinarian can identify if this is the case.

Signs of deeper illness

Sometimes, hair loss is a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue. For example, undiagnosed UTIs can sometimes cause discomfort that leads to overgrooming.⁴ In rarer cases, cancer may be the cause of the discomfort.⁶

Sometimes, cancer itself is the cause of hair loss. For example, cancers that cause a paraneoplastic syndrome (like hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancers) can present as alopecia in cats.

Hair loss accompanied by other severe symptoms may indicate something more serious is afoot. Symptoms may include:⁴

• Changes in behavior or energy
• Weight loss or gain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Enlarged abdomen
• Increased thirst
• Changes in urination

Home remedies for cat hair loss

While some home remedies might help with hair loss, it's important to consult your veterinarian before trying anything. You want to make sure that the underlying problem is being treated and that you're not just focusing on the symptoms.

1. Gentle grooming techniques

If your cat has developed a habit of overgrooming, a feline behaviorist may be able to help "unteach" those bad habits and retrain your cat on gentler grooming.¹²

You may also be able to alleviate some of your cat's discomfort by regularly brushing your kitty yourself to prevent mats or tangles that can lead to hair loss. Daily brushing can also reduce hairballs and help your cat relax.¹³

2. Nutritional supplements and diet adjustments

Your veterinarian may recommend changes in your cat's diet, especially if an allergen is suspected to be a trigger. They might also suggest supplements, such as Composure or Anxitane, to help calm your cat, or even an anti-anxiety medication.⁴

Your veterinarian might also recommend a supplement or vitamin. For example, omega-3 fatty acids can help cats' skin health, along with their kidneys, joints, heart and brain.¹⁴

3. Environmental changes to reduce stress

If your cat is overgrooming due to stress or anxiety, providing lots of opportunities for mental enrichment can help your cat feel calmer and more confident.⁴

Interactive toys can help reduce stress by stimulating cats' hunting instinct and burning excess energy. Food puzzle games and catnip toys are also great choices.⁴

Set up lots of cat trees and cat perches around the house to give your cats spaces that "belong" to them and provide privacy and entertainment. Certain products that release synthetic versions of calming cat pheromones may also help.⁴

When to go to the veterinarian for cat fur loss

If you notice your cat is suddenly losing more hair than normal, don't delay seeing your veterinarian. Because fur loss can be a sign of an underlying disease, you want to make sure you get a proper diagnosis and don't ignore any early warning signs.

Even if hair loss is caused by something as "simple" as stress, this can leave your cat vulnerable to developing other health issues. That's why it's so important to bring your cat in for regular veterinary checkups. Your veterinarian can monitor your cat and address potential issues right away.

Pets Best can help keep your cat healthy

Investing in pet insurance is a great way to help your cats if they experience unexpected illnesses, including hair loss. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.

Sources/Citations

1. "5 Reasons Why Your Cat is Losing Hair," (5/2022), Palos Animal Hospital, https://palosanimalhospital.net/5-reasons-cat-losing-hair/, accessed January 17, 2024.

2. "Is This Much Shedding Normal? When Hair Loss in Pets is Problematic," (11/2021), Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, https://www.7hillsvet.com/services/cats/blog/much-shedding-normal-when-hair-loss-pets-problematic, accessed January 17, 2024.

3. "Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Cats," Karen A. Moriello (10/2022), Merck Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/skin-disorders-of-cats/hair-loss-alopecia-in-cats, accessed January 17, 2024.

4. "6 Reasons Why Your Cat is Losing Hair," (4/2023), North Kenny Veterinary Hospital, https://northkennyvet.com/blog/cat-losing-hair/, accessed January 17, 2024.

5. "Hair Loss in Cats: The 4 Most Common Causes," Brad Hinsperger (5/2022), Kingsdale Animal Hospital, https://www.kingsdale.com/hair-loss-in-cats-the-4-most-common-causes, accessed January 17, 2024.

6. "A Clinical Approach to Alopecia in Cats," Cherie Pucheu-Haston (2/2021), Today's Veterinary Practice, https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/dermatology/alopecia-diagnosis-cats/, accessed January 17, 2024.

7. "Hyperthyroidism in Cats," Sarah M.A. Caney (2/2019), Feline Friends, https://www.feline-friends.org.uk/topics/hyperthyroidism-in-cats/, accessed January 17, 2024.

8. "Hypothyroidism in Cats," (1/2021), Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, https://www.vscot.com/site/blog/2021/01/14/hypothyroidism-in-cats-underactive-thyroid, accessed January 17, 2024.

9. "Cushing's Disease in Cats," (3/2022), Cumberland Animal Clinic, https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2022/03/31/cushings-disease-in-cats, accessed January 17, 2024.

10. "Overgrooming in Cats — Stress or a Health Problem?" (7/2022), Star Vets, https://www.starvetclinic.co.uk/article/overgrooming-in-cats-stress-or-a-health-problem/, accessed January 17, 2024.

11. "The Special Needs of the Senior Cat," (8/2022), Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/special-needs-senior-cat, accessed January 17, 2024.

12. "Hair Loss in Cats," Franny Syufy (4/2022), The Spruce Pets, https://www.thesprucepets.com/hair-loss-in-cats-554758, accessed January 17, 2024.

13. "Grooming and Coat Care for Your Cat," Ryan Llera et al., VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/grooming-and-coat-care-for-your-cat, accessed January 17, 2024.

14. "What Are Cat Supplements and How Do They Work?" Barri J. Morrison (9/2023), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/what-are-cat-supplements-how-do-they-work, accessed January 17, 2024.