Many cat owners experience their pets losing hair. It's worth considering the cause, as the condition of their pet's coat is an indicator of their health. Hair loss may be the result of unfavorable processes in the cat's body. However, hair loss isn't always related to health; other causes are possible.
Hormonal imbalance
A pet's coat may thin due to internal organ dysfunction, which leads to hormonal imbalance. Most often, this imbalance results in hyperthyroidism, a condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland. To accurately determine whether your pet is ill, a blood test for hormone levels is necessary. External signs of the disease include:
- persistent and frequent licking;
- seborrhea;
- hair loss after simply stroking the animal.
To treat the disease, they resort to medication or surgical intervention.
Dysfunction of the sebaceous glands can lead to adenitis or hyperplasia. Retinoids and anti-seborrhea shampoos are used to treat these conditions.
Hormonal imbalances can also be caused by any other illnesses, even heat in cats. All of these weaken the animal's immune system. In this case, you won't notice frequent scratching and your pet will behave calmly, but her fur will begin to thin. To prevent excessive hair loss, it's necessary to give your cat vitamins and a balanced diet.
Lack of nutrients
Avitaminosis is also a cause of hair loss in cats. They get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat. They also get vitamin D from sun exposure.
Avitaminosis may manifest itself in the following cases:
- unbalanced diet;
- decreased immunity;
- chronic diseases;
- unfavorable conditions of detention;
- stress;
- taking certain medications.
Early detection of vitamin deficiency is possible only through a biochemical blood test. It is only detectable externally in advanced stages.
Signs of vitamin deficiency:
- decreased activity;
- itching;
- loss of appetite and weight;
- the appearance of bald spots;
- deterioration of vision;
- unsteady gait.
To treat it, it's important to identify the specific nutrients your pet is lacking. To do this, consult a veterinarian. They'll perform the necessary tests and formulate the right diet for your pet, including the necessary vitamins.
Weakened immunity
This is the most common and least serious cause of a cat's thinning coat, typically requiring no medication or other treatment. To resolve the problem, simply review your cat's diet and consult a veterinarian, who can prescribe appropriate vitamins and immune boosters. These will help strengthen the body and boost its resistance.
To prevent weakened immunity, first and foremost, it's important to take your cat's nutrition seriously. Avoid feeding cheap cat food; it's best to develop a menu with your veterinarian.
Parasites
Hair loss in cats may indicate parasites. These include:
- lice;
- fleas;
- subcutaneous mite.
They can also cause fungal diseases, such as ringworm. An animal infected with parasites:
- feels itchy;
- has scales on bald spots and dandruff;
- shows anxiety;
- loses appetite and, as a result, weight.
There are different ways to remove parasites, depending on their type.
The following are used against ticks:
- chlorhexidine-based shampoos;
- avermectin ointment;
- vitamins and immunostimulants;
- injections with cydectin and dectomax.
Ringworm is treated with injections. Additionally, the animal must be isolated and the area disinfected.
Hair loss can be caused by flea and lice bites. This most often occurs in kittens and older cats. In addition to hair loss, the bite site may also cause fever, a lump, crusting, and itching. To treat the effects, it's necessary to remove the parasites and treat the animal with antihistamines.
An animal's health directly depends on its owner. If you notice excessive hair loss in your cat, determine the cause. If you can't manage it yourself, consult a vet immediately. They can help you identify the cause of your cat's hair loss and help you get rid of it.
