Hi there...there are two approaches to review: the medical aspect to see if he has a hormonal imbalance (i.e. hypothyroidism - more common in dogs) or ringworm.
The behavioural aspect: There's a possibility that your kitty may have recently developed allergies, which isn't uncommon even though nothing has changed. Sometimes if cats are stressed they react with overgrooming to deal with their stress--a way of looking at cleaning house (so to speak in cat behaviour) when things feel out of sorts. Also known as obsessive compulsive disorder, which can be treated with antidepressants.
Your veterinarian would be best to diagnose your cat, but here are a few of the things that vets look for when a pet is losing hair:
- Other allergies not related to fleas -- inhalant (grasses, pollens, etc.), contact (allergic to a shampoo, food dish) or systemic (food allergy).
- Other parasites -- mites.
- Fungal
- Skin infections -- moist skin infections secondary to licking, scratching, even swimming. Skin infections (i.e. hot spots) are also very itchy and bothersome on their own and are often secondary to problems with allergies and parasites.
Please consider giving your vet a call and discuss your concern as this could be a medical condition requiring some tests in order to better diagnose and treat for the aboveforementioned. :-)
Many cats will also develop allergies as a result of the food even if they have been eating it for awhile. Switching to a hypogenic friendly food such as lamb and rice or a higher quality product may help if in fact it is a food allergy. It takes about 2 months on this strict diet to see if there's any improvement.
Most cat food available on the market is sub-standard even though they spend a considerable amount of money on advertising. The leading ingredients which cause problems for cats contain the ingredients, corn, corn meal or soy. These particular carbohydrates have no nutritional value and are used to help the dry kibble bind together so they will not crumble as well as it helps to keep production costs low.
There are higher premium quality foods generally found at smaller specialty pet stores, which also contains essential quality nutrients and no byproducts such as:
Innova EVO: http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=p...
California Natural: http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=p...
Nature's Variety Prairie: http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.la...
Wellness: http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/cats/wel...
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul: http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssou...
If/when considering to change food brands/type suddenly with any cat will cause stomach distress as well as diarrhea in cats. You will need to gradually change her food to the new brand over a course of several weeks. How you do this is to take 3/4 of the old food and mix it together with 1/4 of the new food for one week. Then 1/2 of the new with 1/2 of the old for another week. Finally, 3/4 of the new food mixed with 1/4 of the old for a week before finally 100% of the new food. Please keep in mind that some cats absolutely just don't like some brands of foods either so you may need to consider another brand and then again gradually mix the old kind with the new one to help her adjust. It just cannot be done any other way without making the cat very sick.
Again if it is in fact food allergies you will see the results once your cat has switched completely to the new food and then count two months after that time.
Some additional helpful remedies that may work is to add 1/4 teaspoon of cod-liver oil/salmon oil into the diet every other day. It tends to help with sensitive skin. (See http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/N... )
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
your cat just may be getting old. I hope he feels better. why dont you talk to the vet.
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
sounds like the mange. Little skin mites.
Change the oil in your vehicle. Take the old oil and buy a box of yellow sulfer. You can get that at the pharmacy at the store but you have to ask for it as they keep it behind the counter. Mix it together. Then satuarate your cat with it, everywhere but the neck up. It would be a good idea to dress your cat in some clothes since they like licking their fur clean, and keep it outside or in a cage. After a week , wash that cat. During this time of curing , add about 1/8 teaspoon of the sulfer to some canned food and feed once a day. You will notice the hair will grow back and the sores will go away. Or you can go to the vet and get a mange dip and medicine. They will tell you not to do this, to buy thier products, but this is an "old lady" recipe that works. Same for dogs.
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
Where are the sores? If they are near the tail, chances are, it is fleas and has a flea allergy.
Otherwise, there may be a medical reason behind the hair loss and an exam from a vet should take place.
Cats are meticulous groomers and to find a flea on them wouldn't be unusual. A flea comb will help. If flea dirt is present (looks like small specs of black dirt - when placed on a tissue, dampened and rub shows red or pink, this is flea dirt, which is actually flea feces, the blood from the pet), your cat has fleas and he needs treatment as well as the home.
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
this is something that needs to be addressed by the vet ...it is not normal and whether or not he is itching he obviously is suffering please take him in
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
This also sounds like ringworm to me. I have seen ringworm present with little itching and JUST hot spots. Sometimes the "itching" is dependent on your animals toleranceto discomfort. If the patches are roundish and you see scaly skin....it's probably ringworm.
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
Are you feeding it with too salty feeds?
Better take it to a Vet to be sure
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
Whiskers (Vibrissae)
Long, thick, tactile hairs extending from the sides of the muzzle, above the eyes, the cheeks, and at the outside of the lower legs on cats. Whiskers are extremely sensitive, and play an important role in cats' ability to gauge openings, find their way around in total darkness, and they may even contain a scent-sensing ability. Whiskers are also an important factor in revealing cats' body language.
Guard Hairs
The longer, stiffer hairs that extend out past the "base coat. (awn hairs)" These are the hairs that usually determine the basic color of the cat. Guard hairs help in retarding water to keep a cat dry.
Undercoat, also called "Down"
Softer, fluffier hair that provides warmth. This is the hair that tends to mat if a cat is not groomed regularly.
Awn Hairs
There are several different definitions of awn hairs, depending on the breed of cat, but awn hairs usually form the basic coat. In some breeds, the (finer) awn hairs may be the same length as the guard hairs, while in other breeds, such as the Manx, the guard hairs are longer.
Vellus
Sparse, baby-fine hairs, such as those found on the Sphynx cat. (Humans also have vellus on all but a few body parts.)
Curly Hair vs Straight Hair
As in humans, curly hair in cats has flattened shafts while straight hair has round shafts.
Cat Hair and Allergies
The allergen cats carry is a tiny protein particle called Feld1, which is found in cats' saliva. They transfer it to their hair when grooming, where it dries into microscopic flakes, commonly called dander. Very long or think cat hair will hold more dander, which is where the misconception that the "hair" is the allergen arises. Dander can also be found all over the house: in the air, in bedding, and in carpets and drapes. The good news is that in many cases, allergies to cat dander can be controlled.
More on Allergies to Cats
This may be more information than you asked for. The bottom line is that you will be correct whether you call the fluffy, fuzzy stuff that covers your cat hair, fur, or coat. So use the term that is most comfortable for you.
My cat keeps losing hair and has sores on his skin. He doesn't seem to itch so I don't think fleas cause it.
could be an allergy from the food? have you switched foods latley?.. or a different thing he is sleeping on
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