Why Is My Cat Chewing Her Hair Out?

Hair loss in a cat can occur because of a skin infection or because of parasite like fleas or mites. It can also occur when a cat chews its own fur out, leaving bald patches behind.

  1. Psychogenic Alopecia

    • Psychogenic alopecia is a form of hair loss that occurs when a cat chews and scratches its own hair out, according to "Muller &Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology."

    Symptoms

    • A cat chewing its hair out will have bald or thin hair on its body, except in areas it is unable to reach, like the top of its head or in between its shoulders.

    Causes

    • Psychogenic alopecia is triggered by stress. The cat is soothing its anxiety through grooming. The grooming becomes obsessive, leading to hair loss.

    Treatments

    • An Elizabethan collar can prevent a cat from chewing its hair out. Removing the source of stress and giving the cat anti-anxiety medication for thirty days can break it of the obsessive habit.

    Considerations

    • Some cats never break the habit of chewing hair out. For these cats, long term anti-anxiety medication might be necessary.