Do Fleas Cause Cats to Lose Fur?
WouterWhile fleas and ticks can bite any cat, some breeds can be especially sensitive to flea saliva. These allergic cats may become extremely itchy when fleas are present and overgroom to scratch it. They can also pull out their own hair as a result of excessive licking. Fortunately, hair will grow back very quickly.
If your cat is losing its fur due to fleas, your first step is to find the source of the problem. If fleas are the culprit, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common cause of itchy skin in cats. Although FAD may not be visible on a close examination, it can cause severe itching, scratching, and bald patches on your cat’s body. The most common spots for these bald patches are along the base of the tail.
Another common cause of bald patches on cats is ringworm, which is a fungal infection that causes circular lesions on the skin. Most mammals are susceptible to ringworm, and it is highly contagious. Cats that have ringworm will lose hair on their tail and back around the infected area. In some cases, a bald patch will appear completely on the cat’s skin, leaving a distinctly thinner coat of hair.
There are a lot of other possible causes of bald patches or patchy fur on cats. A few of them can be a problem with your cat’s diet or skin, or an allergic reaction to something your cat eats. In these cases, a veterinarian should be consulted.
