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What should I do If my cat starts to lose hair?
What should I do If my cat starts to lose hair? Is this serious?
Answer:
Kitykat,
Hair loss in a cat is *always* significant. The possible cause of the problem really depends on the age of your cat. Here is a general breakdown:
- Young cats (under 1 year) tend to be affected by external parasites - fleas, mites, lice, or "walking dandruff"
- Adolescent cats (1-2 years old) suffering hair loss for the first time usually are doing so due to an allergy - to fleas, food, or something in their environment.
- Senior cats (7 years and up) with hair loss are more likely to be losing hair secondary to an internal problem. Diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and certain cancers can all cause hair loss in older kitties.
Cats of all ages, however, can suffer from problems like flea allergy, fungal infections like ringworm, or a bacterial skin infection.
Finally, in rare cases, hair loss can be caused by an obsessive-compulsive type disorder called "psychogenic alopecia". This is a very uncommon diagnosis, and can only be diagnosed after all other possible causes of hair loss have been ruled out.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of possible causes for hair loss in a cat. By far, the most common in a young cat is a flea allergy, and in an older cat hyperthyroidism. However, your cat will need to be thoroughly evaluated by a veterinarian and properly diagnosed to determine the best course of treatment.
Best of luck to you and your cat!
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