Cat Hair Loss
Causes And Treatments For Cat Hair Loss
Cat hair loss is nothing new in our house. Our Siamese loses about two cats worth of hair a year, yet her coat never seems lacking. She does spend quite a bit of time grooming herself, which can be one cause of hair loss (it’s certainly a cause of hairballs), yet, she simply seems to shed a lot.
A certain amount of cat hair loss is normal and some cats lose hair at a higher rate than do others. Occasionally though, a cat will suffer excessive hair loss, and usually for a specific reason. The reason can be an allergic reaction, due to fleas, lice, or mites, or brought on by pregnancy or stress. If your cat is experiencing an abnormally high rate of hair loss, or extensive hair loss in one or more localized areas, unless you can discern the cause yourself, it's best to take it to the veterinarian. Your cat may merely be experiencing discomfort, or the hair loss may be the result of an underlying problem which may or may not be serious. In either event, you want to get a course of treatment underway as soon as possible.
Let's look at a few of the more common causes of cat hair loss, and the treatments available. We've mentioned stress. This may be the hardest to diagnose, as there isn't often an associated pathological cause. You'll need to see if your cat appears to be unsettled with the present environment, and if there have been significant changes in the household, in its diet, or anything that has interrupted the cat's daily routine. If so, the cat often responds by grooming itself excessively. There is a medical term for stress-caused hair loss - Psychogenic Alopecia.
Cats can be allergic to fleas, ticks, and lice, and may for example experience a severe reaction to a flea bite. Excessive scratching or licking can result in hair loss. Mites can also cause your cat some grief, especially the Cheyletiella mite. An infestation of these mites is more commonly known as Mange, where hair is often lost in clumps. Treatment is with Pyrethrin, or Rotenone. Ivermectin, a gel usually considered an equine medication, is also an effective treatment against mites and lice. Consult with your veterinarian regarding application or dosages.
Cats can suffer from dermatitis brought on my allergic reaction to certain materials they come into contact with. This can be anything from metals, to wood, plants, carpet cleaner, or any naturally irritating substance. Cats can also suffer from allergies caused by particles they may have inhaled, such as pollen. On occasion, a cat may be allergic to something in its diet. Special shampoos, steroids, and antihistamines can be used in treating cat hair loss caused by allergies. Obviously, exposure to the offending materials needs to be reduced, or eliminated when possible.
Sometimes a disorder in the cat's immune system can result in hair loss (Alopcia areata). This is normally neither serious nor long lasting. While any cat hair loss may at times be a problem, in that you're always finding cat hairs where you don't want them, or least don't expect them, you still want to be on the lookout for excessive hair loss. Any time your cat seems to be deviating from its normal healthy life style is time to take a closer look, and take appropriate action when necessary.