Feline Dandruff & Hair Loss

Like humans, cats shed dead hairs to make room for new ones. They also get dandruff. If your cat is losing so much hair that it has bald patches or if the dandruff in its fur is thick and noticeable, then your cat could have a skin condition.

  1. Feline Coat

    • A healthy cat will have a healthy coat of hair. A cat should groom regularly, keeping its coat fairly smooth and clear of debris, according to the ASPCA. It is normal for a cat to lose some hair through shedding. If your cat is an outdoor cat, shedding will be heaviest in the spring and fall. Indoor cats usually shed all year 'round.

    Causes

    • Excessive feline dandruff and hair loss are caused by skin conditions. Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a common fungal infection in cats, especially those in contact with other cats. Cheyletiellosis, or "walking dandruff," is a skin disease caused by a specific form of mite. These mites are fairly large and can infect cats, rabbits and dogs. It is more common in younger cats.

    Symptoms

    • Ringworm causes lesions on the skin of your cat's head and ears. These lesions are marked by hair loss that result in circular bald patches. The skin inside the bald patches can be scaly, flaking off into dandruff. (See ASPCA) "The 5-minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Dermatology" says cheyletiellosis is called "walking dandruff" because it causes extreme dandruff, with lots of flakes caught in a cat's top and undercoat. A cat with cheyletiellosis can also have symmetrical hair loss on either side of its body.

    Treatment

    • Ringworm can be treated with topical ointments or with a medicated shampoo. For more severe infections, your veterinarian can prescribe oral anti-fungal medication for your cat. Cheyletiellosis is treated with weekly baths to remove the dandruff that has built up in a cat's fur, followed by rinses of insecticides to kill the mites. If the lime-sulfur or pyrethrin rinses are not clearing the infection, injections of a medication such as ivermectin can help.

    Considerations

    • Ringworm and cheyletiellosis are zoonitic infections. They can be passed from your cat to other cats and from your cat to you and other members of your family. While treating your cat for either of these conditions, wash your hands after handling your cat. Washing your cat's bedding and any fabric it comes in contact with can help reduce the risk of infection in a human as well as re-infection of your cat.