Why Does My Cat Pull His Hair Out? 7 Reasons (Vet Answer)

Cats are meticulously clean creatures and spend between 30% and 50% of their day grooming and preening themselves. This is an instinct they develop from birth, as their mother will lick them as kittens to keep them clean, stimulate urination/defecation and suckling, and help them to form a bond. As cats grow up and develop into adults, they continue to groom not just themselves, but their bonded fellow felines too.

But sometimes this grooming habit can become a problem or an indication that there is something not right with your cat's health. So why might your cat be pulling his hair out? There are several reasons why cat grooming habits might change, and as a pet parent, you will notice when something is different with your feline friend. But should you worry if you find clumps of your cat's hair around the house or notice a few bald patches?

Keep reading to find out why your cat might be pulling his hair out!

How Do I Know if My Cat Is Over-Grooming?

Many pet owners don’t notice that their cat is grooming more than usual, as cats can be very private about their cleaning habits. The first thing that most owners notice is areas of hair loss on their cat's coat, which is known as alopecia. Sometimes you may also notice chunks of fur around the area your cat has been sleeping and grooming, or you may notice your cat starting to bring up fur balls.

If you spend a lot of time around your pet, you might notice they are spending more time grooming or are even pulling their hair out in chunks.

The 7 Medical Reasons Why Cats Pull Their Hair Out

There are several reasons your cat might be pulling his hair out, and it can be a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Often cats will lick excessively or pull their hair out because they feel itchy, but there can be other reasons too, so let’s have a closer look at what those might be.

1. Fleas and Flea Allergic Dermatitis

Fleas are one of the most common causes of itchiness in cats, and your cat can catch them even if they don’t spend much time outdoors. Fleas can be tricky to get rid of. Your cat will need at least 3 months of treatment followed by regular monthly treatments with a suitable anti-flea product. You’ll also need to treat your home to break the life cycle of these little insects.

Some cats are allergic to flea saliva. When fleas bite their skin, it causes a sore, itchy rash to appear on your cat's skin, usually around their lower back. This may cause your cat to lose his fur in that area from scratching and biting.

2. Mites and lice

Fleas are not the only parasites that can cause your pet to be so itchy that they pull their hair out. Ear mites, Demodex mites, and scabies can also all cause your pet to become very itchy.

3. Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal skin infection. Although many cats won’t be itchy, it causes small round areas of hair loss on your pet's skin, which can also look very red and sore. It’s important to get ringworm diagnosed and treated quickly as it can spread to humans and other pets in the house.

4. Allergies

Another reason your pet might have itchy skin is due to allergies, and they can develop these at any time in their life. Allergies may be triggered by certain foods, something outside in the garden, or something in your home. The severity can vary, but itchiness and hair loss are the most common symptoms of allergies in cats.

5. Pain

Our pets can’t tell us when something is hurting them. Cats in particular are incredibly stoic creatures, so the signs of pain can often be very subtle. If you notice your cat licking or losing hair over a specific part of their body—such as around a joint—it could be a sign that they are painful, often due to developing arthritis.

6. Anal gland problems

Did you know cats have anal glands too? Cats can lick their behinds rather a lot if there is an infection or impaction in the anal glands. This can be resolved either by expressing the anal glands or with a course of antibiotics.

7. Skin infections

Skin infections in cats can be itchy and sore. This itch causes cats to lick and chew at the affected areas, which can in turn make the area even more painful.

Stress and Behavioural Problems Causing Hair-Pulling in Cats

It’s not only underlying health problems that can cause cats to pull their hair out. Overgrooming can also be a sign that something is causing your cat stress. Cats are very sensitive creatures, and they like habit and routine. Any changes to that can throw them off balance, and one of the ways they show this is by grooming excessively, causing alopecia.

‘Psychogenic alopecia’ is the name given to this condition. It can be caused by changes at home such as a new pet arriving, the arrival of a baby, family members moving in or out, building work, moving house, or another cat outside causing them trouble. Grooming is actually a normal way for cats to respond to stress, as it can stimulate the release of endorphins which have a calming effect. You are most likely to notice hair loss on the inside of the back legs, the belly, and the back if your cat has this condition.

It’s important to remember that psychogenic alopecia is a rare diagnosis, and in cases where it is confirmed, there are many different ways to manage it, as well as ways to help reduce the stress your cat is experiencing and keep him calm and happy. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss this with you.

What Should I Do if My Cat Is Pulling Their Hair Out?

If you are noticing your feline friend pulling their hair out or losing their fur then you are sure to be worried, but just how worried should you be?

It’s really important that you get your cat checked over by a veterinarian if you have any concerns. Although the causes of over-grooming and alopecia are not serious and can be easily managed, your cat will be much happier and more comfortable once you get to the bottom of the problem!

Your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions about your cat's lifestyle, diet, and habits, as well as which parasite treatments you use, and about your cat's environment. This will help your vet to determine what might be causing the problem. The vet will examine your cat, as the pattern of hair loss and condition of the skin can often hint at why they are pulling their hair out. They will also check for other symptoms that might narrow down the possibilities.

Your vet may need to do some investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Taking samples of the coat and skin can reveal parasites, and blood tests, allergy testing, and imaging may also be required. Psychogenic alopecia tends to be a diagnosis of exclusion—in other words, we only diagnose it once other medical problems have been ruled out.

How Do I Get My Cat to Stop Pulling Out Their Hair?

Parasitic problems such as fleas, lice, and mites, can easily be treated and prevented with regular use of suitable antiparasitic products (your vet will be able to advise you on which products suit your pet, area, and lifestyle best). If your vet diagnoses pain or infection, they will recommend treating it with an appropriate medication, such as antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory.

Allergies and stress can also be managed in several different ways, and your vet will guide and support you through the best ways to do so to get your cat back to their usual furry self!

Conclusion

If your cat is pulling their hair out, there is no need to panic! It is most likely due to a simple underlying condition that can easily be treated at the veterinary clinic. If you notice that something is not right and your feline friend is grooming more than usual or losing their fur, then it’s really important to take him to the vet to be checked over.

There are many reasons this could be happening, including medical problems such as infections, parasites, or pain. Stress can also cause hair loss in cats, although this is less common. Your veterinarian will also be able to advise you on different ways to look after your cat’s coat to keep it healthy!

Related Read:

• My Cat Is Pulling Hair Out Along Their Spine: Vet Reviewed Reasons

Featured Image Credit: Susan-Santa-Maria, Shutterstock