Fitness and healthy lifestyle 

Climb the hair on the withers of the cat. The cat is losing hair on its neck. Severe illnesses accompanied by hair loss

The reasons why a cat's hair falls out can be different. Often owners of four-legged faces such a problem. It could be like natural process, as well as a signal of any disease.

Consider the most common reasons why a cat's hair falls out.

The first one is adenitis. sebaceous glands. This is a rare disease in cats. Symptoms are the appearance of areas with the ears, and the hair is easily pulled out. In order to confirm this disease, it is necessary to conduct a skin biopsy of the animal. Treatment consists in the use of anti-seborrheic shampoos, if the case is more severe, steroids are prescribed.

One of the most common causes of cat hair loss is a food allergy. In order to identify which product the reaction is, it is necessary to exclude one by one from the animal's diet. Allergies are treated by changing the diet.

The reason that the cat has shreds may be alopecia, which is caused by injections. Most often it manifests itself in places where injections are given. Falling out can begin even a few months after the end of the course of injections. Treatment is not required, the hair will grow back after some time.

Folliculitis is a disease of cats that manifests itself on the muzzle, neck. Its symptoms are crusting, itching, hair loss. Treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks.

The cat's hair also falls out due to a disease such as seborrhea. It is also manifested by peeling, skin irritation and an unpleasant odor. To diagnose seborrhea, you need to do a blood test. Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian, usually fatty acid supplements, special shampoos.

The fact that a cat's hair falls out can be a signal for such a serious disease as a granuloma. It is caused by an infection, the symptoms of which are hard nodules on the animal's skin, possibly different sizes. Treat granuloma surgical intervention. It is removed, after which the animal must undergo a course of antibiotics.

Some types of lice can also cause hair loss. Infection with them is also manifested by itching, the appearance of a crust. To get rid of lice, pyrethrin or ivermectin will help.

The natural cause of hair loss is either the feeding period. Usually in such cases, the hair is restored itself.

Another reason is psychogenic in nature, for example, if the animal has undergone stress. Help for recovery will be getting rid of its cause, limiting the possibility of excessive licking of wool.

A reaction to medications can also be a reason for prolapse. Symptoms are also accompanied by itching, redness, and crusting. The treatment will be to stop taking the drug.

A serious disease accompanied by hair loss is It appears due to infection with several fungi. Diagnose it by sowing cultures. After detection, miconazole, itraconazole are prescribed orally.

Hair loss in cats is a fairly common phenomenon and is caused by several factors: seasonal molting or a signal that the animal is sick. But what to do if the cat's hair falls out in tufts? At this time, in order not to miss anything, you should carefully monitor the behavior of the pet and examine its skin for the presence or absence of suspicious redness or sores.

As you know, cats' hair falls out daily, and this process is quite natural, because each hair lives for a certain period.

Natural causes of hair loss in tufts

These causes include seasonal shedding and facial alopecia.

During shedding, the cat sheds hair in tufts, but it does not look sick and its behavior does not cause concern. The cat runs, her eyes are clear and bright, her nose is moist, her skin is also clean. In this case, there is no need to worry, as this natural phenomenon and does not cause any discomfort to the pet. There are no bald spots either, although the wool climbs in bunches. For cats living in apartment, molting lasts almost three months. At this time, it is very important to support the animal balanced diet With enough minerals and vitamins, in order to accelerate the growth of new hair.

Facial alopecia is also not considered a disease, with it the cat's hair falls out in the area between the eyes and ears in a specific age period(14–20 months) and stops completely when the animal is three years old.

Causes of unnatural hair loss in tufts

There are many factors that cause hair loss in cats. It is worth considering the main ones:

An unbalanced diet is one of the main factors. If the cat's diet is not correct, they give her salty food, fatty and spicy foods, sausage, a large number of whole milk, then the coat fades and begins to fall out, especially on the neck, back and tail. The affected areas of the skin become inflamed and flaky, and then unbearable itching begins.

The digestive system of cats is very delicate, and some owners, having fed a pet from their table, sincerely wonder why he has health problems?

To avoid such problems, it is better to give preference to high-quality ready-made feed. This can ensure that the animals receive all essential substances for his good condition. But if a decision is made in favor of natural food, then it will be necessary make a diet that includes offal with cereals, and sometimes fat-free cottage cheese, lean meats, fish and eggs. And no salt! Food with spices and all kinds of additives is categorically contraindicated for a cat, because it can provoke dermatitis, in which hair falls out in tufts.

Here you may need to consult a veterinarian, he can also help in drawing up an individual diet for a cat, and if necessary, prescribe a course of vitamins and antiallergic drugs. If already existing metabolic disorders are detected, you will have to undergo a more serious course of therapy.

Hormonal disorders in the cat's body can occur if the cat takes a lot of drugs that slow down sex drive. With such a problem, the animal has a jump in weight either towards reduction or towards obesity. The cat refuses to eat, is apathetic, she has frequent urination. Wool falls out in clumps.

An allergic reaction is another reason why hair falls out in tufts. A similar reaction most often occurs on food. Wool falls out symmetrically, areas of the skin turn red and itch, and the auricles become inflamed.

A granuloma occurs when a cat's body reacts to certain plants, or to a thread used to suture wounds. In some cases, this disease can be caused by an infection. Hard nodules appear on the pet's body, smaller and larger size. There are nodules and wet, but this is the case if the reaction is due to foreign bodies. With granuloma, secondary ulcers and infections, hair loss are possible.

The defeat of a cat with skin mites begins with the fact that bald spots formed on the muzzle, as well as on the ears and front paws, are visually visible. The coat becomes dull, and the cat experiences a feeling of discomfort and itching.

Lice can also provoke first coarsening, and then hair loss, the formation of crusts on the skin, unbearable itching.

In addition to the reasons listed above for which hair falls out in tufts, there are other problems that are accompanied by loss of hair for a cat.

Hair loss due to serious illness

Often, cats' hair begins to fall out due to the fact that certain irritants affect the cat's skin, leading to its disorders. These irritants include:

Symmetric alopecia is rare in cats and the cause is unknown. The coat falls out and is easily pulled out in the abdomen, groin, and back of the thighs. Itching is absent.

Alopecia due to injections is observed in places where the drugs were injected. The skin there may thicken, ulcers appear.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which hair falls out locally on the head, neck and body without itching.

Psychogenic alopecia occurs under the influence of nervous tension, and the cat begins to gnaw its own fur. The front legs, back, abdomen, groin, and thighs are most commonly affected. Erosions and ulcers appear on the bald spots. The animal will behave this way until the psychological balance is normalized.

Congenital hypothyroidism is so called because kittens are born either without hair or with sparse hairs that fourth month disappear completely.

What to do if hair falls out in tufts?

As mentioned above, the cat's hair may fall out due to malnutrition, for example, the hosts commit big mistake and feed him from his table. A pet, of course, can eat the wrong food with pleasure, but this will definitely affect his coat and mental state, he will lick for a long time to get rid of the itching of the skin.

because of allergic reactions may be coughing fever and even bad smell from mouth. What to feed the cat in this case, the veterinarian will advise after examining her. In many cases, it is enough to simply eliminate the allergen from the diet and add vitamins and the animal will feel good again.

The gender of the animal must also be taken into account. For example, if the cat is this moment feeds kittens and her hair falls out in tufts, then this will last for some time. When the cat stops feeding, the fur will grow back and the weight will increase.

When cats fall out of hair in tufts, there can be many reasons for this - from a fight with street cats to heredity. That is why it is irresponsible for cat owners to make their own conclusions about the state of health of their pets, and even more so to try to diagnose them. In this case, you can not do without a veterinarian. If the cat's behavior has changed, it has become aggressive, and other deviations from its usual behavior have appeared, and even the hair falls out in tufts, you should immediately seek the advice of a veterinarian.

Prevention of hair loss

Than to treat the disease that has appeared, it is better to prevent it by providing proper care for your pet. Combing the coat with combs with non-sharp teeth, thereby stimulating blood circulation, and avoiding diseases of the skin and coat. Use special shampoo for the health of the cat's coat.

Enrich your diet vitamin complex and minerals, do not overfeed your pet.

At home, it is necessary to arrange wet cleaning more often and wash the cat's rug.

Get vaccinated regularly various diseases. And often consult a veterinarian for proper care and, if necessary, treatment of a pet. Only if all recommendations are followed pet will delight its owner with a beautiful, and most importantly, healthy appearance.

Cat owners sometimes notice that their pets are shedding hair too actively, and the animal looks healthy. There are no harbingers of diseases, the cat is cheerful, pleases the owners with an excellent appetite and a playful mood.

Natural Causes of Hair Loss in Cats

Why is this happening, and is it possible to help the animal? Before you panic, find out about the natural molting of the animal. Cats, like all animals, actively lose their hair during the seasonal molt. This state is natural, there is nothing terrible in this, since a new fur coat grows in place of the fallen wool.

This is a natural process that you should not worry about. The cat updates its fur coat twice a year, in spring and autumn. You should not "just in case" stuff your cat with all kinds of vitamins and minerals to stop the molt, this can harm the health of the animal.

If you notice that the molt is dragging on, the cat's hair is constantly climbing, you should pay attention. In this case, diseases appear in the body of your pet, the symptoms of which are hidden. Outwardly, your cat looks active and healthy.

Hair loss occurs not only from a banal vitamin deficiency, but also from serious disorders in the animal's body. The unfavorable conditions in which your pet lives can also provoke an excessively prolonged molt.

Cats shed heavily due to too dry and hot air, and high humidity provokes fungal diseases. Examine the skin of the animal, if you notice that the skin is covered with rashes and flakes, immediately contact your veterinarian for help or advice.

A fungal disease in a cat can provoke not only severe hair loss, but also afforestation, which, when running form very difficult to treat. Therefore, it is better not to delay contacting a specialist.

Hormonal imbalance in cats

Severe hair loss may be associated with a violation hormonal background in an animal. At the same time, the cat's behavior changes, which is impossible not to notice a loving owner. The animal becomes indifferent to entertainment, his appetite worsens, and sometimes his eyesight drops.

The cat refuses to play, very reluctantly makes contact with his beloved owner and other family members. At hormonal failure in a cat, the fur comes out in clumps, in place of which ulcers can form, which the sick animal does not even try to lick.


In this case, delay the visit to veterinarian dangerous, because your pet is in danger of serious complications that are not easy to deal with. Do not waste time and be sure to visit an experienced veterinarian.

Weakened immune system in cats

Sometimes hair loss is provoked by a weakened immune system, this happens due to a long drawn-out infectious disease or after surgery. At proper care and full feeding the immune system quickly recovers, and molting completely stops.

Consult a veterinarian who will prescribe effective vitamins and minerals, recommend nutritious food so that the animal recovers faster.

Deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body of cats

Deficiency of these nutrients negatively affects not only health, but also the quality of wool. Cats that are deficient in vitamins and minerals become passive, their seasonal shedding dragging on for many months.

If your pet sheds a lot, take a look at the skin, excessive hair loss is often caused by allergies. The skin of a cat with allergies is irritated and flaky.

An allergic cat scratches itself. With allergies, cats suffer not only from hair loss, but also from lacrimation. The most common is a food allergy. To figure out which product the cat's body reacted to in protest, carefully observe your cat, gradually removing one product from the menu if it eats natural food.


If the cat eats dry food, then change it to food from another manufacturer. Perhaps the reason lies in it. After a week, your pet will begin to improve. If this does not happen, it is easier to look for the cause in the company of a specialist. Contact the clinic and they will definitely help you.

Hair loss is the result of fungal infections, one of them - ringworm. The disease is insidious and contagious, the cat's hair falls out in those places where the fungus has settled. This disease is treated with antifungal drugs prescribed by a veterinarian. Self-medication is unacceptable, otherwise the disease will drag on, getting out of control. It is important to remember that ringworm is dangerous for all family members. Don't let your kids get sick.

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7 reasons why a cat goes bald on its belly and hind legs

Molt. The cat sheds everywhere, including on the stomach and paws. The cat starts scratching. This partial baldness is seasonal. And after that, a new and healthy coat will appear on previously problematic areas.

Bad nutrition. Poor quality finished or unbalanced diet can lead to baldness. If you do not adjust the diet of the pet, the problems can worsen and lead to irreparable. Wool can climb strongly in tufts.

Avitaminosis. The lack of vitamins also leads to the appearance of bald patches on the stomach and hind legs of the cat. With a lack of vitamins, most often there is a lack of vitamin D, A, F and E. Veterinarians recommend introducing a vitamin complex in oil to pets.

Skin diseases. If the cause of baldness in a cat is skin diseases, sores, wounds on the skin, first of all you need to contact a specialist for treatment. Such a problem as a wound will not go away on its own. The cat will constantly lick the wounds. The skin begins to peel and peel off. At skin diseases would need A complex approach, including the appointment of vitamins and beneficial trace elements to maintain immunity.

Hormonal problems. Problems endocrine system can lead to baldness of the animal. In this case, many diseases can be diagnosed. But all of them are accompanied by lethargy, low temperature and sometimes obesity of the pet.

Stress. Stress experienced by a pet can cause many diseases and pathologies in the body. You need to understand what the pet suffered from and not to call similar cases again. In general, it is better on the eve of any possible stressful situations(moving, visiting a doctor) to buy special medicines.

Allergic reaction. With allergies in a pet, most often a rash will be visible on his skin in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bbald spots. Your pet's eyes may water. He will often sneeze. In this case, the pile will fall out in large pieces.

Hair loss in animals is not so bad if it happens in small quantities, and the fur coat itself is updated and remains shiny and silky. All "woolen" pets are subject to seasonal molting. However, if a cat’s hair falls out in tufts to bald spots or sores appear, then this is already serious occasion to seek help from a veterinarian. Why is this happening? Why do cats get dandruff? And most importantly - what should the owner do?

What are the main causes of hair loss in cats?

Moult

It is usually seasonal. But in pets, it may not occur at the same time as in animals living on the street. And this is due to the fact that while the animals living on the street are overgrown with a thick fur coat before winter, absolutely domestic cats begin to shed heavily. And why is this happening? But the heating season begins at home, and the mustache will be hot in a thick fur coat, so it sheds.

Poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet

Look into the bowl with your pet? What are you feeding her? If there is food from your table or low-grade food, then why be surprised? Due to the lack of vitamins and minerals, the cat's hair falls out in clumps, its shine disappears. It can even get into tangles in long-haired ones. Be sure to enrich the mustache menu.

Allergy

An allergic reaction leads to itching, dermatitis (inflammation skin). The animal begins to itch, combing itself to the point of blood, which only aggravates the situation. With dermatitis, the hair does not receive proper nutrition and falls out. The more neglected the state of the animal, the more its coat thins. Allergies can develop to food, medicines, household chemicals(including care products - shampoos), on the waste products of helminths.

Lichen

Because of it, the hair does not just fall out. Feeling like she's been cut. And even spots with scales inside appear on the skin.

Hormonal imbalance

It is precisely because of him that the cat's hair falls out in tufts to bald spots, and sores appear on the skin. And it is extremely difficult to confuse such a violation of the hormonal background with the usual seasonal molt. What causes this imbalance?

It is enough for one endocrine (pancreas, thyroid, thymus, adrenal glands and others) or gland of mixed secretion (ovaries, testes) to “fail”, as all metabolic processes in the animal’s body are disrupted. In some cases, the owner himself is to blame when he begins to indiscriminately stuff the mustache with various hormonal drugs(anti-inflammatory steroids, or to suppress estrus and estrus, for example). Even a one-time dacha such funds can be detrimental to the health of the cat.

solar dermatosis

Especially in white cats, their skin is most sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.

Folliculitis

When does inflammation of the hair follicles occur. Hair stops getting nutrients and falls out.

Sequelae of other diseases

For example, advanced inflammation, problems with digestive tract, intoxication.

Hair loss at the injection site

The skin thickens, swells, turns red, and the hair falls out in this place, sores appear on the skin.

Stress and nervous tension

There are also animals mental illness, in which the cat begins to gnaw and tear out his own hair in tufts to bald spots, sores and blood.

Autoimmune diseases

In another way, this condition is called nested alopecia. The mustache will not itch, but the hair will really start to fall out in shreds. Most often, alopecia are observed in the neck, head.

Causes of dandruff in cats

Seborrhea can be both primary (the underlying disease) and secondary (a symptom of another disease). An unpleasant odor emanates from the skin of the mustache, they become oily and inflamed. And again, due to the dermatitis that has arisen, the cat's hair begins to fall out in tufts.

What to do if a cat's hair falls out in tufts

First of all, seek help from a veterinarian. To establish the reason why the cat's hair falls out in tufts, he must. Perhaps the animal needs serious treatment, and not just enriching the diet with vitamins (preferably group B), minerals and improving the conditions of maintenance and care (wash, comb out regularly).

If you have any questions - ask in the comments and we will promptly answer them!

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    Faith 23:01 | 13 Feb. 2019

    Hello. I have an elderly cat - 14 years old. Throughout his conscious life he loves water very much: he drinks from the shower, lies in a humid bath when it's hot, and even when he drinks from a bowl, he dips his paws in it for a long time, licking and, as it were, tasting the water. It does not miss a single puddle - it certainly lies on everything wet.
    In the last few days, I began to notice that the cat falls asleep at the bowl at night and the hair on the neck does not have time to dry.
    Tried blotting between soaks paper towels, changed the bowl, eventually moved it to a raised platform so that there was no temptation to do so.
    The wool had dried up, but it was matted and began to fall out in small tufts on the skin flake.
    Now there is already a fairly large bald spot. Just skin, no wounds.
    The cat does not show anxiety, does not itch, communicates, eats, goes to the toilet without changes.
    How critical is this situation? And is there any way to improve it.
    In the house, besides us, there is a newborn baby, from whom I still can’t move away.
    I would be grateful for any advice.

    • Daria - veterinarian 00:28 | 15 Feb. 2019

      Hello! And what do you feed? The cat is already old, so you need to carefully monitor his health. First, there may not be enough vitamins. Secondly, check it for sugar and exclude diabetes(since such a craving for drinking, especially if he pees a lot and often). Thirdly, it is also desirable to check the thyroid gland. Due to the violation of its work, the metabolism is disturbed and the wool is shed. But for your peace of mind, you need to exclude fungal diseases(lichen), especially since the child is at home. Ask neighbors / relatives / friends to help with this (shine a Woods lamp and trichoscopy in any clinic will do). But maybe something is wrong with the cat's diet? Not enough wet food or an unbalanced menu?

      Faith 02:59 | 16 Feb. 2019

      Thanks for the quick response.
      Until recently, she fed NOW dry food, then the cat began to feel sick from it. I don't know, maybe I got a bad batch. But since January 3, they switched to AATU and never had any nausea or diarrhea - the chair is perfect. Moreover, there are not enough teeth anymore and the granules in this food are softer and, according to my subjective feelings, more convenient.
      Wet food - Animonda.
      Plus now I give Viyo a course.
      At first I didn’t even think about lichen, now I’m worried. It is of little consolation that it was precisely that part of the wool that got wet that fell out, and quickly - almost in a day. And further distribution does not go. Just in case, I treated it with chlorhexidine today.
      Is it possible, in your opinion, to call a doctor and conduct a full diagnosis at home?
      Or is a trip to the clinic required?

      Daria - veterinarian 20:36 | 19 Feb. 2019

      Hello! At home, you can also exclude fungal infections(Wood's lamp is not that big, it works from a 220W socket, so they can bring it with them), we go to the villages ourselves when the situation requires the exclusion of microsporia (one of the types of lichen). Blood on biochemical analysis can also be selected at home. But again, it all depends on the equipment and capabilities. veterinary clinics In your city. Maybe they do not carry out such procedures at home, maybe they are well equipped, then it is better to bring the animal to the clinic so that it can be examined up and down on the spot.

    Tatyana 11:59 | 10 Feb. 2019

    Hello, the cat is 18 years old, fell ill in the fall, almost stopped eating and lost a lot of weight (there was a skeleton with wool). We took them to the veterinarians, as a result, we feed viyo for the elderly in the morning, refuses to eat dry food Hills ID, feed Almo Nature mousses (he refused to eat bags with meat pieces, only licked the broth in them). The cat recovered, became more active and seems to be gaining weight. But there was a problem with the coat, falling off in tufts and a lot of tangles. The veterinarian did not see any allergies or lichen, did not advise anything, did not change the diet. Does he need vitamins? He does not eat dry food at all, only mousse.

  • Thea 02:05 | 21 Sep. 2018

    Hello, the cat's hair began to fall out strongly in the neck area. They took him to the doctor, took a scraping, they did not find anything. The doctor said that perhaps the diet was incorrectly selected. The skin is good, pink, without sores, the only thing that is there are black dots - blackheads.

    • Dasha is a veterinarian 21:14 | 21 Sep. 2018

      Hello! Here you yourself write “perhaps the diet was chosen incorrectly”, but you didn’t write what exactly you feed. When was the last time you drove worms? What is the content? Age? Sterilized or not? Knitted or not? Did you donate blood for biochemistry? Have you been tested for hormones? Especially thyroid gland explored? Did you wear a flea collar? Drops accidentally on the withers did not drip?

      Thea 12:18 | 23 Sep. 2018

      Before that, she fed perfect fit for sterilized, both dry and in bags. Now we have been prescribed royal canin, for domestic and fluffy ones, from tartar and from wool in the intestines. Driven away this month. The cat does not go outside, she is domestic, 8 years old. Sterilized, gave birth once, at the age of 4 years. We will carry blood and hormones only for next week hand over.
      With a collar and drops, nothing.

      The doctor also said that if she itchs, then she can be given a zodak, 2 drops. I noticed that one day, I began to scratch my neck a little often, and gave me medicine. Now the wool has stopped climbing, some places are starting to overgrow with fluff. But in the week we will still carry it for tests. I'm certainly not a doctor, but after the zodak there was a feeling that it was an allergy.

      Dasha - veterinarian 23:52 | 23 Sep. 2018

      It remains only to find something. What was the taste of the food? For the future: do not feed wet and dry. Pick one. Sometimes there is a reaction to the fact that both dry and wet interfere (albeit at different time periods of the day). Take it for inspection anyway. Biochemistry and hormones will not be superfluous. Also check your thyroid. And if it works out, then let them look at the pancreas. In older cats, it often does not function properly (it even reaches sugar if treatment is not started on time)

  • good afternoon! the cat began to go bald bald spots on the sides, on the stomach and at the base of the tail, the places of baldness seem to be shaved, there are no sores or scratches, the ears, head, neck are clean, but in the spring the cat had an infected wound, underwent a long treatment: washings, ointments , antibiotics intramuscularly, after that the cat began to lose weight and go bald, fleas appeared, now they have treated fleas and worms, he used to eat both cheap dry food and products “from the table”, they switched to purine van, they began to give vitamins, in the near future we plan to visit the vet clinic , but so far it is not possible, we are very worried whether this clinical picture talk about an infectious disease or is it more likely an allergy and loss of immunity after an illness?

  • hello! our kitty is 2 and a half, we sterilized her 2 weeks ago, she is homemade and has not given birth before, she ate chicken fillet raw, frozen. How they removed the blanket from her and she began to itch, lick and the hair crawled in shreds in the neck, withers and ears. The doctor said that she was allergic to chicken protein! changed feeding to hypoallergenic royal canin, she does not welcome him very much, we give citrine 1/4 tablet, there is no improvement, she continues to scratch herself! advise how we should be, I looked at the composition, there is also chicken liver, animal fats! maybe we should switch to a happy cat with a rabbit and a duck? we are all frustrated and don't know how to help our pet! we thought we made it easier for her by sterilization, but it turned out to hurt her! help advice please!

  • My cat’s fur will come off in large chunks directly from the skin, the cat is literally becoming bald., now it’s the month of May. I didn’t notice itching. Small hairs are slightly visible on the skin, but this hasn’t happened yet. What could it be?