For nobody is a secret: cats loose hair. But why? In general, the most common causes are: hair loss, external parasites, inadequate nutrition, skin diseases or stress. If the loss of hair is part of its nature, it is necessary to follow a series of steps to prevent the home from being full of dead hair. But, when the problem lies in your health, you should go to the vet urgently.
In we know that more than recommendations on how to do the cleaning, what is really important is to find out what is happening with your cat’s coat, and why its fur comes off so easily. That’s why we present this article with the most common causes of hair loss in cats and some tricks to avoid it.
Why does my cat bounce so much hair?
Before considering different ways to clean your home, it is essential to know why your cat releases a lot of hair. Well, it is natural for the cat to drop a little hair, because this means that is changing the coat, so those strands that you see all over your house are dead hair that has fallen off. The molting is necessary so that the mantle remains healthy and bright.
However, when the fall is excessive it may mean that there is a problem. It is possible, for example, that your cat has fleas or ticks, and that the itch caused by the bite of these parasites causes him to scratch violently and, eventually, pluck out full tufts of hair.
Another reason is the food deficiency. Low quality food, whether wet or dry, not only affects the health of your kitten, as it does not provide all the nutrients it needs and also includes ingredients that are harmful, but also affects the appearance and conservation of the coat. .
Skin diseases
Most skin diseases in cats cause the abnormal loss of the coat, so that it appears as one of the main symptoms. The most common in cats are the following:
- Scabies. Depending on the type of scabies, the animal may present a generalized hair loss or, on the other hand, hairless patches in certain parts of its body.
- Dermatitis. It is accompanied by itching and, depending on the type of dermatitis, peeling skin or dryness.
- Mushrooms. They are characterized by showing hairless circles in specific areas of the animal’s body.
- Allergy. Depending on the allergy, the cat may present hair loss in addition to itchy eyes and nose, swelling, coughing or sneezing.
As we said, the localized or general hair loss is often accompanied by intense itching, rashes, inflammation and even wounds caused by excessive scratching. If you suspect that the cause that explains why your cat loses so much hair is a skin disease, do not hesitate and go to the veterinarian to identify the pathology and establish a treatment.
Stress and anxiety
As with us humans, the situations of stress and anxiety They can also cause excessive loss of hair on the animal. In addition to presenting this symptom, the cat can be hyperactive, somewhat aggressive, apathetic and without appetite. What can generate stress? Changes in your routine, spending many hours alone at home, visits from strangers, loud noises, etc.
How to prevent the cat from releasing a lot of hair?
Once you have identified the cause that causes your cat to release a lot of hair, it is time to look for solutions for this problem, which affects him as much as you. If the cause is related to a health problem, the solution is obvious: go to the veterinarian. If we are simply faced with the period of change, inadequate nutrition or stress, we offer the following recommendations:
- Brush your cat’s hair weekly. At first you may not like it very much if you are not used to it, but soon you will love it, because a good brushing is an excellent massage. It is recommended once a week for short-haired cats, and two to three times for long hair.
- Acquire a metal comb with fine teeth for brushing. When you use it, take care not to hurt your cat in areas with less hair, like the belly.
- As a complement to the brushing, you can moisten a cloth with warm water and pass it through your cat’s hair, you will see how the hairs adhere to the fabric easily.
- There are some products for external use that serve to reduce hair loss. The name will depend on the country in which you are and the commercial brand that makes them. The mode of application is usually rubbing on the fur against the grain, repeating when the product so tells you.
- In the presence of fleas or ticks, look for a solution immediately. Pipettes, baths, powders, collars, etc., there are many options available in the market to end this problem, consult your veterinarian.
- Offer your pussycat quality feed. Not only will it be beneficial for your health, but in a very short time you will notice that you will lose less hair and that the coat is much brighter and more silky.
- Acquire a good vacuum. If you have carpets, furniture, cushions and other objects at home that your cat has access to, it is important to acquire a good vacuum to optimize the cleanliness of your home.
- Eliminate the stressor. If you have identified that the cause to explain why your cat bounces so much hair is a certain situation or object that causes the animal to enter a stressful frame, it makes the appropriate modifications so that it recovers the emotional stability.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my cat loose so much hair? – Causes and solutions, we recommend that you enter in our hair care section.