Q: Why is My Cat Losing Hair?

Q: My cat is losing hair by the base of his tail and around his neck. He scratches a little, but not badly. Could it be stress or a cat skin condition?

A: A cat losing hair is sometimes stress related. Stress can lead to the over-grooming that results in cat hair loss.

Before we assume stress is the cause, we should rule out a few other things.

A cat skin condition called Alopecia can also cause loss of fur. It's always a good idea to see your vet if your cat shows any of these symptoms:

• Loss of hair in patches
• Red or irritated skin
• Scratching or licking in the areas of hair loss

If your cat is losing hair one of the next cat skin conditions to rule out is flea infestation. Even indoor cats can get fleas. Other symptoms of flea infestation include red skin and small red bumps. If this is the case your veterinarian may wish to prescribe a preventative flea medication.

Cat hair loss can also be caused by allergies, which present as skin conditions in cats, including a cat losing hair. Feline allergies have many causes including sensitivity to inhaled particles, foods and insect bites. Cats usually develop allergies between the ages one and three years.

An underlying skin infection in another possibility. Your veterinarian can diagnose and treat infected skin but routine blood work may be needed to help to rule out underlying problems

While you're helping your cat with her skin condition, watch out video on how to clean a cat's ears.