What this means
A cat's coat sheds a little every day, more so in spring and autumn, and that is normal. It is different when you see bare patches, the coat thins in one area, hair comes away easily or the skin looks changed: red, flaky or crusted. Patches can appear on the head, neck, around the eyes, on the belly or the thighs.
It helps to know that bare spots are often caused not by the disease itself but by the cat. Excessive licking and chewing wears the fur away, and the result can look like hair loss. If the fur on the belly, thighs or flanks thins evenly, as if clipped, it can mean the cat is licking it off. Cats often do this in private, so an owner may never see it.
Do not assume it is an allergy, fleas or stress: hair loss has many different causes, some in the skin and some deeper in the body. Losing hair does not hurt in itself, but if your cat is also eating less, losing weight or turning listless, the problem may lie beyond the skin. Note where and since when the coat is thinning and have a vet see your cat.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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Excessive licking or chewing
A cat can lick its fur off itself, which looks like hair loss. It may do so because of itching, pain or stress, so a vet has to find out what is driving it.
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Allergy
An immune reaction can cause itching that leads to bare spots and small scabs. It is one possible cause, not the only one.
About the condition: Food and seasonal allergies -
Skin infection or parasites
A fungus, bacteria or parasites damage the skin and hair follicles, so hair falls out in patches. Some infections can pass to other animals and to people.
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Inflammation of the hair follicles
A less common immune-driven condition in which the follicles are damaged, hair falls out and the skin flakes and may thicken. It can also be a sign of another illness lying deeper.
About the condition: Lymphocytic mural folliculitis -
Internal illness or hormonal problems
Some internal illnesses change the state of the coat. Appetite, weight or activity often change alongside.
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Stress or changes at home
Some cats lick and chew their fur because of stress. This is worth considering only after a vet has ruled out illness.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Where the bare areas are and whether they match on both sides
- Whether the skin there is red, flaky, crusted or thickened
- Whether your cat licks, scratches or chews the spot, especially when nobody is watching
- Whether you find tufts of fur on the floor or bedding
- Whether it is also eating less, losing weight or has turned quieter
- Whether other pets or people at home have similar patches
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your cat is losing hair, has bare patches or its skin looks different, especially if it is also eating less, losing weight or has gone quiet. If it is not eating or is very weak, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Fleas Parasites Fleas are small, jumping parasites that feed on a cat's blood. They cause itching, can set off an allergic skin inflammation and carry tapeworm, and in a kitten they can lead to anaemia.
- Food and seasonal allergies Skin and coat A condition in which a cat's immune system overreacts to something in its food or in its surroundings, such as pollen, house dust mites or moulds. It shows mainly as itching, and the cat scratches and licks until the skin is damaged.
- Lymphocytic mural folliculitis Skin and coat A skin condition in which immune cells called lymphocytes attack the walls of the hair follicles. The follicles are damaged, the hair falls out, and the skin turns dry and flaky.
- Ringworm (dermatophytosis) Infections A fungal infection of the skin, hair and claws that spreads between animals and can pass to people. Despite the name there is no worm, and it does not always itch, so it can look like no more than a few small bald patches.
- Skin and coat disorders Skin and coat A wide group of problems: allergies, parasites, fungal and bacterial infections, and skin that is too dry or too oily. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so its state and the state of the coat say a lot about a cat's health.
Body systems: Parasites Skin and coat Infections