Is My Cat’s Hair Loss Normal?

Cats love to be brushed. Have you brushed your cat today?

One thing that most cat lovers can agree on is that although they adore their furry friend, they are significantly less fond of the inevitable hair on clothes. Often cat hair loss is nothing to be concerned about as cat hair shedding is completely normal. Shedding is the physiological process of pushing out dead hair. Some cats will shed more than others; however, there are factors that can lead to your cat shedding more excessively. You may notice that your cat will lose more hair in the spring and fall while its fur may grow thicker in the winter. It is important to understand that cats often shed despite whatever season they are in.
Is this shedding or should I be concerned?
However, if your cat’s hair loss is significant, coming out in clumps, if your cat is exhibiting bald patches, or showing signs of noticeable skin discomfort – these signs could be indicative of underlying health problems. Alopecia is a common problem and can be caused by fungi such as ringworm, nervous disorders, and various other reasons. Signs of alopecia include partial or complete hair loss. The skin in the area where you cat is experiencing hair loss can look completely normal or it can have bumps, redness, scabs, and skin loss.
Underlying medical conditions that can cause feline hair loss include: Sunburn, Allergies, Medications, Ringworm, Bacterial infection, Stress/ Anxiety, Fleas, Hormonal imbalance, Poor diet, Auto-immune disease and Pregnancy.
What should I do about it?
If you feel that your cat’s hair loss is abnormal make sure that you go to the vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Your vet will thoroughly examine your cat to get to the root cause of your cat’s hair loss. Be patient as this may require a period of trial and error, especially if your veterinary doctor believes an allergy of some sort is at play here. Additionally, naturally occurring shedding can be decreased with regular brushing and a balanced diet. Omega 3 or omega 6 fatty acids is really good for your cat’s coat and skin, and a monthly bath will remove excess fur.