4 Reasons to Check: Why Your Cat's Tail Is Balding

It's not uncommon for a cat's tail to develop a patch of hair loss, and this can be due to a variety of reasons. To avoid the risk of skin irritation caused by improper medication, it's crucial to first identify the underlying cause. Below, we'll delve into the common reasons for a cat's tail losing hair and provide selfassessment methods to help you understand what might be happening with your feline friend.

1. Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection commonly caused by Microsporum canis. Cats with ringworm often exhibit circular or elliptical bald spots, which may be accompanied by scales, crusts, and redness.

● How to Check:

Beyond observing the symptoms, you can use a Wood's lamp to check for the presence of the fungus. The metabolic products of Microsporum canis can produce a green fluorescence under the light of this narrowspectrum ultraviolet lamp.

✔ Treatment:

After trimming the hair around the affected area, gently clean the area with saline or iodine solution to remove scales, crusts, and other debris. Then, apply a medicated cream such as Daktarin (a ketoconazole cream) or Pipette (terbinafine hydrochloride spray) twice to three times a day. For severe infections, oral itraconazole may be prescribed. Additionally, supplementing your cat with a multivitamin B complex can aid in skin repair.

2. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis of the cat's tail, also known as "greasy tail" or "male cat's tail disease," is often caused by hormonal imbalances. This skin condition typically results in black spots and red pustules on the tail or chin, and in severe cases, can lead to redness, hair loss, ulcers, and crusts.

● How to Check:

Observe if the tail hair is greasy and if there are blackheadlike spots at the hair roots.

✔ Treatment:

Wash the cat's tail with chlorhexidine solution to keep it clean. For pustules, apply antibiotic ointments such as erythromycin, Fusidin (zinc oxide ointment), or mupirocin. If the infection is widespread, consider shaving the area.

3. SelfBiting Syndrome

Cats may excessively lick their tails due to stress, boredom, or fear, leading to hair loss and bald spots. This behavior is often a response to negative emotions or changes in their environment.

● How to Check:

Look for smooth skin without bumps, crusts, or scales at the hair loss site, which may be slightly red. Additionally, the cat may have experienced recent changes such as neutering, bathing, or moving to a new home before the hair loss occurred.

✔ If this is the case, offer your cat a small treat to soothe its emotions and monitor the situation over time.

4. Parasite Infection

Cats can be infected with external parasites like fleas, lice, or ticks, which can cause skin irritation and itching. The cat may lick the affected area to relieve the discomfort, leading to hair loss.

● How to Check:

Closely inspect the cat's tail for flea feces (which look like small black dots) or live fleas. Also, look for ticks attached to the skin.

✔ Treatment:

Use Advantix (fipronil spoton) to deworm your cat monthly. If fleas are the issue, also consider environmental deworming to prevent recurring infections.

Don't panic if your cat starts to lose hair, but also don't ignore this sign. Try the selfassessment methods mentioned above. If the situation doesn't improve or you're unsure of the cause, it's best to take your cat to a veterinarian for a thorough examination. Only by pinpointing the exact reason can you provide your cat with the most appropriate care and treatment.