It is very distressing for a cat owner to watch his once beautiful, healthy cat lose its fur. Fortunately, once the cause is diagnosed by your veterinarian and treatment begins, your cat will be back to its beautiful self in no time at all. There are numerous reasons why your cat may be losing fur; below you will find some of the more common causes.
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Infection
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One of the most common causes of hair loss in cats is a fungal or bacterial infection; ringworm (a fungal infection) is very common.
Behavioral
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Physogenic alopecia is a behavioral condition that affects mostly older cats. It is a characterized by over-grooming or pulling out their own hair.
Hormones
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An over- or under-production of hormones, as in problems with the thyroid or adrenal glands, can cause your cat's hair to thin and become bald in spots.
Allergies
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Allergic reaction to flea bites is the most common cause of hair loss in cats, although cats can also be allergic to dust, mold, household cleaners and even food.
Medications
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Some medications can cause your cat to lose a noticeable amount of fur; the can include antibiotics, sulphur-based medications and cephalosporins.
Diagnosis
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The only way to determine exactly what is causing your cat to lose its fur is by getting it fully examined by a veterinarian, who will base his diagnosis on clinical observations, skin scrapings and blood tests.
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