In the hot summer months, it’s not uncommon for our feline companions to be shedding. There’s fur on the furniture, our clothes, and perhaps in the form of a partially digested hair ball, left right where we walk.

A little shedding is normal. If you notice that your kitty is loosing chunks of fur or if they are developing bald spots-then you have a serious issue that needs to be dealt with.

Feline skin is susceptible to many ailments. Here are three skin conditions that may have your cat loosing fur and itching for relief!

Feline Acne

Carefully look at the your cat’s chin. If you observe small black dots, tiny red pimples, or scabbed over sores, the chances are pretty good that your cat has a case of feline acne. This unsightly condition can cause your feline to scratch which could leave the kitty open to secondary infections.

Ringworm

This fungal infection is highly contagious and can be contracted by humans. The ringworm is found in the claws, hair and the top layers of the cat’s skin. Although some cats will appear completely healthy, a tell-tale sign of ringworm is the round, hairless patches on a cat’s body. These patches can be accompanied by dry or itchy skin and dandruff.

Allergies

A cat may be allergic to foods, fleas (flea bite dermatitis), or other allergens in their environment. Allergies may cause your cat to bite and scratch at its fur, trying to alleviate their discomfort.

The previously discussed skin ailments can lead to hair loss. There are additional reasons why your cat may be experiencing excessive loss.

Enodcrine Alopecia

This condition is caused by a lack of the hormone that produces new hair growth. This hormone imbalance may leave your cat with bald patches on the tail and abdomen, while leaving the head and legs, unaffected.

Psychogenic Alopecia

If your immaculate feline is often grooming herself, to the point of obsession, Psychogenic Alopecia may be what ails her. Due to fear, stress or anxious feelings, a cat may “over-groom” herself. This fur fixation may lead to your cat plucking out large chunks of hair or licking an area until it’s a virtual bald spot. The areas most affected are the abdomen, inner thighs and hind end.

When dealing with felines who are contending with skin ailments or fur disturbances, it is in their best interest to obtain a medical diagnosis. Veterinarians are able to find any hidden diseases and prescribe necessary medical treatments to ensure that your pet remains healthy.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 4:52 pm and is filed under Hair Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.