Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Why Is My Cat Losing Hair? 9 Causes & Treatments Vet Answer

cat losing hair on ears

Topical ear drops are a common solution for mite infestation. Bacteria are not a frequent cause of cat hair loss on ears, but they are worth a mention. Your cat might be having an allergic reaction to a flea bite.

Food Allergies

Treatment may not be necessary if the cat is not in pain and if only the ears are affected. Medications may help cats with pain or with signs in other parts of the body. With or without treatment, the ears will be permanently deformed. A cat losing its hair can be stressful for all parties involved. It can be extremely uncomfortable for the cat to go through a long period with irritated skin, and for owners, it is disheartening to see your loved one's beautiful coat reduced. There are many reasons why a cat might lose hair on its ears, but luckily there are many ways to combat this hair loss, provided you are informed.

Solar Dermatitis

Constant grooming eventually affects the fur, especially in spots with naturally short hair, like the ears and head. Managing feline stress requires pin-pointing the things that cause the anxiety and eliminating them from your cat's environment as much as possible. Some cats also respond to healthy stimulation, such as a cat tree to exercise on. This relieves boredom and gives your cat something to focus on besides themselves. However, some cats need the help of other solutions like pheromones or anxiety medications.

cat losing hair on ears

What Is Cat Hair Loss On Ears?

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An allergic reaction can result in serious hair loss and even significant skin irritation. Also referred to as feline scabies, or Notoedres cati., mange is a parasitic mite. These mites burrow under the skin, creating itchy spots an affected cat is likely to scratch for relief. The ears are a common spot that mites will target, so often, hair loss will occur at this site. Mange is contagious and spreads itself quickly when not treated. Mange will be identifiable by crusted scabs with an appearance similar to eczema.

The 9 Causes and Treatments for Cats Losing Hair

This skin issue in felines is treated by locally applying a topical treatment to the affected area. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, the vet will also prescribe antibiotics. Since ear mites are highly contagious, if you notice these symptoms in your kitten, you should isolate her immediately, especially if you’re living in a multi-pet household. If your cat has lesions that resemble ringworm, there are a few tests your vet can use to confirm the disease. Your cat will then start appropriate treatment, which is likely to last at least 6 weeks and may be a combination of oral and topical therapy.

Cat Losing Hair On Ears: 6 Reasons Your Feline's Fur Is Falling Out

The source of the itching can be ringworms, yeast, mites, bacteria, fleas, pollen, food allergens, and others. In the case of hereditary hair loss, there is nothing you can do. It’s your cat’s genes and the hair is going to fall out, no matter what.

It typically affects body regions that are poorly insulated, including the tips of the ears, feet, and tail. In severe cases, tissue death and shedding of the tips of the outer ears may follow. Treatment consists of rapid, gentle warming and supportive care. Amputation of affected regions may be required but should be delayed until the true edge of the affected tissue is determined. The best advice one can give regarding skin issues is to try to avoid them before they begin. Maintaining a clean environment for your cat the easiest and most effective way to prevent skin issues.

Some over-the-counter parasite preventatives can be toxic to cats if not explicitly formulated for them, so check all labels carefully.

Most common causes of feline hair loss on ears

cat losing hair on ears

These tests will help to rule out any metabolic causes of your cat's hair loss, such as Cushing’s disease (which is rare in cats), hyperthyroidism, or urinary tract disease. Mange in cats is a type of parasitic infection of the skin, caused by tiny parasites – mites. If the cat has weakened immunity, she becomes susceptible to diseases; thus, mites multiply faster in her skin and fur. When this fungal infection infects the cat’s hair shaft, her hair becomes weak and falls off.

Unfortunately, this infection is highly contagious, so if you suspect your cat has this infection, keep other pets away, if any. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. No matter what caused this disorder in her, the only thing you need to do is to consult a veterinarian.

Such lesions are mostly found on the skin on the cat’s head, like on her ears, and the chest and spine as well. Most cat parents will have a hard time noticing these parasites, but some symptoms might show you your cat is dealing with them. Ringworm is actually a fungus that affects the skin, hair, and sometimes the claws, which is called dermatophytosis. It is a zoonosis, which means that people can contract it from animals through direct contact or environmental contamination. Some animals have very mild or no signs, while others can have a thickened patch of skin with hair loss that can be round in shape. Areas usually affected are skin on the head, chest, front legs, and along the back.

If you keep your cat happy and healthy while providing the necessary treatment, then all you must do is wait, and your cat's coat should be back to its former glory in no time. I’ve always wondered why cats have less hair around their ears, especially when there are bald spots on cat’s ears. Try to identify if there have been any events in your cat’s life that may be causing them stress.

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