Top 5 Reasons for Cats Losing Fur & Solutions!

Common Causes of Cat Hair Loss:

1. Seasonal Hair Loss

Cats naturally shed their fur during seasonal changes, which is a normal process. For instance, as they transition from spring to summer, they will lose their undercoat, which is why you might notice that cats are not as fluffy in the summer as they are in the winter. However, the overall amount of hair loss is typically minimal.

2. Fungal Hair Loss

Fungal hair loss, commonly known as ringworm in cats, can infect growing fur, leading to breakage and subsequent hair loss. Cats with severe hair loss may frequently scratch and rub themselves. Treatment often involves using medications like ivermectin or products containing this ingredient, which can be administered orally or by injection.

3. MiteInduced Hair Loss

Miterelated hair loss is most common on the face and around the nose and mouth. If the infection spreads, it can cause patchy hair loss. Effective treatment often includes using ivermectin or similar medications, which can provide significant relief when used appropriately.

4. Nutritional Hair Loss

Nutritional hair loss is usually caused by a deficiency in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and certain trace elements. This is less common in domestic cats, which are more prone to overnutrition. To address this, simply enhancing the nutritional value of the cat's diet is often sufficient.

5. StressInduced Hair Loss

① If a cat in a multicat household is frequently bullied, leading to prolonged stress and anxiety, intervention is necessary to protect the bullied cat.

② Cats may excessively groom themselves in an attempt to seek attention from their owners.

③ A lack of cat trees, toys, and human interaction can lead to boredom, causing cats to overgroom and lose hair. It's important to provide cats with more attention and playtime.

Effective Treatments for Severe Cat Hair Loss:

Seasonal and stressrelated hair loss in cats typically do not require special treatments. Regular grooming, maintaining a calm home environment, and providing comfort can help. For cases of ringworm, the following treatments are effective:

① Skin Treatment: Use products like Fenoldopam skin spray in conjunction with zinc oxide ointment to treat ringworm. This combination is favored by many pet owners and can help combat bacterial infections and promote skin healing.

② Preventing Spread: Isolate the affected cat from others and consider shaving the cat to prevent the spread of the fungus.

③ Environmental Sanitization: Deep clean areas where the cat spends time, including play areas and hardtoreach corners, using a vacuum cleaner and then thoroughly clean with a lowconcentration disinfectant.

④ Medication and Diet: Utilize skin health supplements and cat food rich in phospholipids, unsaturated fatty acids, fish, and deepsea fish oil to aid in treatment. Additionally, supplements containing complex vitamins can help in promoting healthy skin and hair.

⑤ Regular Deworming: For miterelated hair loss, use external deworming medications like Proban's nonivermectin drops. Also, encourage your cat to get plenty of sunlight, which can be beneficial in eliminating mites and their bacteria.

For more information on the common causes and treatments of cat hair loss, feel free to consult with an online veterinarian for personalized advice!