Alopecia in Cats: What It Is and Why Your Cat Is Losing Hair

Alopecia in cats refers to hair loss. 

This condition isn’t considered a medical emergency, but if you notice your cat losing hair, it’s a good idea to see a veterinarian within a few days to determine the cause, so appropriate treatment can begin.

What Is Alopecia in Cats?

When cats experience alopecia, they lose thick tufts of fur in various locations throughout their bodies, leaving exposed skin.

Cats may develop alopecia due to genetics, underlying health conditions, or stress and anxiety.

Symptoms of Alopecia in Cats

Symptoms of alopecia in cats include the following:

• Hair loss

• Itchiness

• Flaky skin

• Red skin

• Skin bumps

• Excessive licking or chewing of fur

Causes of Alopecia in Cats

There are several causes for alopecia in cats, which may include:

• Genetics

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Diabetes mellitus

• Cushing’s disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Food allergy

• Environmental allergies

• Skin infection

• External parasites, such as fleas or mites

• Autoimmune diseases, such as sebaceous adenitis

• Medication allergy

• Pain

• Ringworm

Although cats of all breeds, sexes, and ages can be affected by alopecia, Abyssinians, Siamese, and black cats have an increased risk.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Alopecia in Cats

To diagnose alopecia in cats, a vet will examine the pet to check for obvious abnormalities, such as hair loss or itchiness.

A flea comb will be used to see if fleas or flea dirt are present in the cat’s fur. A veterinarian can diagnose alopecia simply by doing this complete physical exam.

Pet parents should let their veterinarian know if their cats are taking any new medications, showing any concerning symptoms, and how long the hair loss has been present.

To determine the underlying cause for the alopecia, a veterinarian may perform the following tests:

• Blood work: The veterinary technician collects a small sample of your cat’s blood to look for signs of underlying disease, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism.

• Urinalysis: A sample of urine is analyzed for abnormalities, such as bacteria, glucose, or cortisol.

• Diet trial: If a food allergy is suspected, a special prescription diet may be recommended for eight to 12 weeks to see if symptoms resolve. This is followed by a reintroduction of the old diet to see if symptoms flare up.

• Intradermal skin testing: If environmental allergies are suspected, a veterinary dermatologist can shave a patch of fur and insert a variety of potential allergens just underneath the skin to note a reaction.

• Skin scrape: A dull blade is used to gently scrape the affected area of skin for a sample. The sample is then added to a glass slide and viewed under the microscope for signs of mites.

• Acetate tape prep: A piece of clear tape is gently pressed onto the area of hair loss, stained, and viewed under the microscope to check for bacteria and yeast.

• Wood’s lamp: If ringworm is suspected, a special light can be used to shine on the affected area in the dark. If ringworm is present, the fur will glow bright green.

Treatment of Alopecia in Cats

Alopecia in cats is treated according to the underlying cause. Several treatment options include the following:

• Calming supplements, such as Purina Pro Plan Calming Care

• Pheromones, such as Feliway

• Antiparasitic medications, such as Bravecto

• Antifungal medicine, such as Itrafungol

• Pain medication, such as robenacoxib

• Antibiotics, such as Clavamox

• Allergy medicine, such as cyclosporine

• Diet change

• Methimazole (for hyperthyroid cats)

Alopecia is curable in many situations, but fur can take months to fully regrow. In some instances—such as with chronic endocrine diseases—alopecia may need to be managed long-term and may never fully resolve.

Cats who have experienced hair loss may need two months or more for fur to regrow after treating the underlying cause.

Recovery and Management of Alopecia in Cats

Cats can recover from alopecia once the underlying cause has been successfully treated.

For example, if the alopecia was caused by fleas, a topical preventive can be applied, and hair will generally start to regrow in one to two months.

However, if the cat has a chronic health condition like diabetes, alopecia can be frequent and recurrent due to fluctuating blood sugar levels.

Prevention of Alopecia in Cats

To prevent alopecia in cats, pet parents should ensure their cats receive regular veterinary care to identify any health concerns early. Keeping cats on year-round flea-and-tick products can prevent parasites that can cause alopecia.

Providing a quiet, safe space for your cat to rest, and a predictable routine without added stressors can reduce anxiety that may lead to hair loss.