Your cat’s coat can give you a lot of information about its general health. A cat with a shiny, soft coat will generally be in good health. Therefore, it may be a cause for concern to observe hair loss in your kitten. In this article you will discover some of the reasons why your cat may lose its fur.
Why a cat may lose its hair
It is important to know that a cat can lose hair on a regular basis from time to time. This is known as seasonal hair loss. In any case, this must be distinguished from alopecia or the appearance of bald patches on your cat’s body.
There may be several reasons for this to happen. Here we list the most frequent ones, remembering that if you have any doubts about your cat’s health, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Read on to find out why your cat may lose its fur.
Acne
Acne in cats manifests itself as an inflammatory problem capable of causing hair loss. You will be able to notice this problem because the cat may lose hair in localized areas, where pimples and blackheads will appear.
Treatment should be prescribed by the veterinarian, who, depending on the diagnosis, may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. You may also prescribe a disinfectant.
Hormonal changes
A cat that has been spayed or neutered may undergo hormonal changes. These directly affect the appearance of your cat’s coat. In fact, it is common for bald patches to appear on your cat’s body after a spaying or neutering process. Stress is another factor that can also cause bald patches. So it is advisable to avoid changes in your cat’s routine to avoid stress that could cause hair loss and health problems.
Dermatitis and allergies
Allergies to different substances such as pollen or other materials can cause hair loss in cats. Also insect bites and the presence of parasites could cause dermatitis on their skin and hair loss in different areas.
In addition, dermatitis often causes itching, so cats will scratch constantly. In this case, hair loss may worsen and skin wounds may occur. Attention should be paid to products or substances that may cause allergies and hygiene should be kept up to date.
Ringworm
Cats can suffer from this disease, which is caused by a fungal infection. They feed on the keratin present in the hair. Cats with low defenses and under stress are more susceptible to this disease that causes hair loss. It will also present wounds and scabs on the skin, in addition to fur loss.
Prevention
One of the main measures to maintain your cat’s good health is to provide it with a quality diet. It is also important to take care of general hygiene, both in their environment and at home. Of course, it is absolutely necessary that their health controls are up to date, such as vaccinations and others.
On the other hand, it is possible that even if your kitten is very well cared for and groomed, it may still have bald patches or hairless areas.
