Cats can suffer hair loss just as humans can. There are many possible causes: allergies, hereditary problems or even stress. Yes, you heard correctly! Stress can be a major factor when it comes to hair loss.
There are a variety of reasons why your cat might experience stress. For example, it can be as simple as changing its diet. Cats base their behavior on habits so when replacing the usual food in its bowl with a new type, it can start feeling confused, as it smells different. The best solution to avoid such a situation would be to change the food and the flavors gradually, not at once. Mix the two foods together, and in time increase the quantity of the new food. Cats can feel quite demanding sometimes, but if you own one, you are probably aware of this already.
When your cat refuses to eat any type of food, it can also be stress related. Other odd behaviors are when it is grooming itself, which also causes further hair loss. This might be an indication that your feline companion might not be getting enough attention. That is why it is very important that you play with your cat, pet your cat and other such things. Interaction between you and your kitty is very important, so you should do this as often as possible. Stress doesn’t come only from these two situations. There are many other factors as well. Moving furniture, visits by strangers or the arrival of a newborn are all potential stress factors. However, not all cats react in such a way, only the most sensitive ones. You should try and learn what kind of behavior type your kitty has. Not all hair loss is due to stress, but you should consider this option if it suddenly starts to lose hair and the veterinarian has ruled out any physical factors.
If your cat loses hair because of allergies, try identifying the allergens and talk to your vet to see what kind of treatment you should pursue. If there are flees or mites in the area, than your cat ca be allergic to them. Use sprays or call an exterminator to remove these threats to feline health. If it is hereditary, than a vet check is a must if you want to find a proper solution, as genetics can be quite a complicated thing. Also, bathe and groom your cat regularly. This also prevents matted hair from tangling up. This kind of hair is troublesome and quite messy, and it ends up all around your house if you don’t take care of it properly. You can gently separate it with your fingers if you want improved efficiency, or you can cut it with a pair of scissors if this doesn’t work. If nothing works, you can also take your cat to a professional groomer. This will help prevent matted hair from appearing if done on a regular basis.
There are many shampoos, brushes and medications on the market to stop your cat’s hair loss. Don’t think about the expenses when it comes to the comfort and happiness of your pet.
