The appearance of your cat's coat is an indicator of his health. Hair loss (alopecia) in a feline may be a sign of a skin disorder or a symptom of another medical condition. The fur loss may be localized to one area, or it may affect large portions of your cat's body depending, upon the catalyst.
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Types
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Feline hair loss falls into two main categories --- pruritic and non-pruritic. Pruritic hair loss is accompanied by itching, causing your cat to scratch, bite or lick affected spots on his body. Non-pruritic hair loss does not itch; but if pain is involved, your cat may still lick the affected area.
Allergens
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Cats, like humans, may develop reactions to certain substances. Allergies that result in the loss of fur are usually pruritic, and your cat may scratch himself incessantly trying to stop the itch. Dermatitis from a flea or insect allergy may affect large portions of your cat's body if he receives a bite. Your veterinarian may prescribe a systematic insect treatment, such as Frontline, to prevent future infestations. A change in your cat's food or the inhalation of dust particles, pollen or chemical inhalants may result in an allergic reaction and loss of fur.
Fungus
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Ringworm commonly causes patches of hair loss in felines. A highly contagious fungus, ringworm often goes undetected on a cat's skin until patches of hair begin to fall out, exposing the circular raised lesions beneath. Your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-fungal cream to treat the ringworm. If left untreated, ringworm usually clears up within three months, but the hair may not regrow for up to three more months.
Disorders
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Feline hair loss may be the result of another disorder. Stress causes temporary hair loss in some cats, especially following a traumatic injury or surgery. Hyperthyroidism, Cushing's disease and the presence of an abscess may result in bald patches. A rare condition, Feline Symmetrical Alopecia (FSA), causes the cat to lose hair on the insides of his legs and along his stomach. Thought to be hormonal, FSA occurs after a cat has been surgically sterilized, and hormone injections may alleviate the problem.
Treatment
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Since feline hair loss results from numerous causes, a veterinarian must diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan. For seasonal shedding issues, brush your cat often with a static-free brush and turn down the heat to prevent over-drying his skin. Use a little leave-on spray hair conditioner on his coat and work it into the skin. Excessively dry skin increases shedding problems.
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