Cat baldness is typically caused by a few different reasons that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. In addition, the symptoms of the baldness can vary. Often, the only way to determine what is causing the problem is through a veterinarian examination. The doctor will run tests to find the cause, then treat the baldness depending upon the culprit. Causes for cat baldness include excessive licking or tearing out the hair due to anxiety, flea allergies or fungus. In order to correct your cat's baldness, take it to a veterinarian at the first signs of symptoms.
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Sporadic Hair Loss
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If you take a look at your cat and notice that the hair appears thin or completely missing in a few areas, there may be something wrong. Generally, if the hair loss takes place on the stomach or inside the cat's legs, it is due to psychogenic alopecia, according to PetPlace.com. Similar to obsessive compulsive disorder in humans, psychogenic alopecia occurs when a cat excessively grooms itself and either licks the hair out or pulls it with its teeth. Often, this is a result of stress and is done in an attempt to relive that anxiety. Unless the stress problem is solved, the cat will continue to react in this way. Stimulating the cat with toys, window perches and other accessories to enrich its environment may be helpful in treating the problem, as well as rewarding your cat when it is not pulling its hair out to reinforce that healthy behavior. However, some cats may need sedatives and mood-elevators to resolve the problem.
Circular Spots of Missing Hair
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If you notice small, round areas where the hair is extremely thin or totally gone on your cat, this may be a symptom of baldness caused by ringworm. According to PetPlace.com, ringworm is actually caused by fungus---not a worm---and is extremely contagious. The circular spots where the hair is missing are also often inflamed and crusty. A veterinarian will typically pull a few strands of hair from the area to culture them, as a way of checking for ringworm. Shampoos, creams and oral medication are often used in resolving ringworm. However, use extreme caution when handing a cat with ringworm, as it can be spread to humans and other animals.
Loss of or Thinning of Hair Throughout the Body
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Cats with certain types of allergies may experience thinning or complete hair loss throughout their bodies. Allergies to food, fleas and allergens in the environment may cause a cat to scratch itself to the point of hair loss, along with exhibiting pustules and thick or discolored skin, according to PetPlace.com. The veterinarian will often scrape the skin to look for parasites, such as mites, and will examine the cat for fleas. The doctor may recommend placing the cat on a food trial to rule out any food factors and may prescribe allergy testing to determine if the cat is allergic to pollen, dust or other common environmental allergens. Treatment for this type of baldness depends upon the cause.
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