Cat Eye Above Fur Loss: Surprising Skin Condition Revea

While many cats boast luxurious fur that's irresistible to the touch, a bald patch above their eyes can add a comical twist to their appearance. It's no surprise that many pet owners, upon noticing this, might rush to worry that it's a sign of skin disease, prompting a hurried trip to the vet.

However, in most cases, the hair loss above a cat's eyes is a normal occurrence and not indicative of a skin condition.

Dr. Hayworth from VCA Animal Hospitals explains: Many adult cats experience a gradual thinning of hair between their eyes and ears, a phenomenon known as "preauricular alopecia." This shedding is completely normal and can affect cats of all breeds, ages, and genders without any adverse effects on their daily life or health.

What Causes Hair Loss Above a Cat's Eyes?

1. Odor Gland Issues

The area above a cat's eyes and between their ears is home to scent glands, known as periauricular glands or temporal glands. These glands emit a faint odor that, while undetectable to humans, is recognizable to other cats, allowing them to mark territory and communicate. The hair loss above the eyes might be a way for the glands to release their scent more effectively, or it could be related to the cat frequently rubbing this area against people or objects.

2. AgeRelated Factors

Starting from around 14 to 20 months of age, some cats begin to notice a thinning of hair in certain areas, a natural part of the aging process that continues until around the age of 3.

3. Genetic Factors

Cats of certain breeds, such as Siamese and Burmese, are more prone to bald patches around their eyes and ears, which may be linked to inherited genetic factors. Additionally, shorthaired cats may exhibit more noticeable hair loss above their eyes.

Overall, hair loss above a cat's eyes is generally a normal occurrence, and there's no need for concern. However, if the hair loss is accompanied by dandruff, scabs, wounds, bumps, redness, or other abnormal changes, it could be a sign of a skin condition.

What Skin Diseases Can Cause Hair Loss in Cats?

Fungal infections, such as ringworm or Malassezia infections

Bacterial infections

Allergies (food, medication, environment)

Thyroid dysfunction (hair loss in the ear flaps, bilateral hair loss on the trunk, etc.)

Scabies or mite infestations (sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, ear mites, etc.)

Sebaceous glanditis

Psychogenic alopecia (hair loss due to excessive grooming caused by stress)

Among these, ringworm and ear mites are particularly common.

Ringworm in its early stages may start on a cat's nose bridge and then spread to the temples and ear edges, causing symptoms like dandruff, hair loss, and scabs.

If you suspect that your cat's hair loss above the eyes is due to ringworm, you can use a Wood's lamp to check for green fluorescence in the affected skin area. After softening and removing the scales and scabs with saline solution, apply a moderate amount of Dasatin (ketоконазол cream).

Cat ear mites primarily reside in the external ear canal, causing itching and an increase in secretions. As the cat scratches and shakes its head, the condition can spread to the outer ear, leading to hair loss, itching, and redness around the ears.

If you notice a lot of brownish waxy secretions in your cat's ears, you can use a gentle Ear Cleanse to clean them, followed by applying a small amount of HealEar (miconazole nitrate cream) to the inner and surrounding hairless areas. Additionally, it's important to deworm your cat promptly, using flea and tick preventatives containing selamectin, ivermectin, or pyriproxyfen to effectively kill mites.

If the above conditions are ruled out but there are clear signs of skin disease, it's advisable to take your cat to a veterinarian for a checkup to determine the specific cause.