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It can be the primary cause, or a consequence of an underlying disease. The most common symptom of your cat being allergic to something is scratching. Your cat might scratch only one specific part of the body (such as its ears) or it may scratch all over. Intense scratching, biting and licking leads to crusts and scabs forming at the sites of the itching, potentially forming bald patches. Products containing oatmeal, vitamin E, Aloe vera, and other natural ingredients all make for great options when dealing with a cat who is open to the idea of a little bath. If your cat has thin hair in the area in front of the ears, symmetrically on either side of the face, don’t worry because it’s completely normal.
The 9 Causes and Treatments for Cats Losing Hair
There is always an underlying cause of the itching, which needs to be identified. As I already established, most cats have less hair around the ears. However, if your cat has bald patches, schedule a vet appointment because there could be a medical issue causing hair loss. As the fungus enters the hair shafts, they break off at skin level, causing bald spots. And sometimes, crusty patches show around the cat’s ears and other areas.
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The quicker the cause is diagnosed, the more easily it is treated, and you can prevent the problem from getting completely out of hand. In many cases, the hair on your cat's ears will eventually grow back. Treatment usually consists of thoroughly but gently cleaning out the ears and applying a vet recommended medication directly into the canals.
It’s A Sign Of An Underlying Disease – Which Diseases?
The treatment for atopy includes removing as much of the irritant as possible from your feline’s environment or restricting your cat’s exposure to the irritant. Alopecia areata causes hair loss around the ears, neck, back, and head because of excessive scratching. The diagnosis of a food allergy includes several food trials. Your vet will prescribe a restricted cat diet that will slowly reintroduce ingredients one by one until your feline displays a reaction to a specific food. Acquired hair loss, however, signifies other medical conditions that cause itching in cats. If this is the case with your feline, they will likely chew, scratch, run, or lick the affected areas until their hair falls off.
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Of course, like in cases with allergies, your cat may inadvertently end up licking away the hair too. This can happen with conditions like arthritis or even injuries and medical conditions, such as a urinary tract issue, when they excessively lick their genital area. You might notice your cat’s ears lack fur because your cat is constantly scratching or something makes the hair fall out by itself.
You can treat your cat with insecticidal shampoos, dips, sprays, or spot-on medications like Frontline, but I also advise asking your vet for guidance. In this section, I will discuss the most common causes of hair loss in felines, so take a look and schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. Fleas are easily detected by their physical presence or by the small droppings they leave in your cat's fur. Infestations can be treated using a number of insecticidal products, including sprays, shampoos, dips, and spot on medications such as Frontline for cats. Once your veterinarian has determined a cause for the hair loss and started treatment, you should begin to see hair regrowth in a few weeks.
Secondary bacterial and yeast infections may worsen the condition. Most cats appear do not pay much attention to the affected areas, but mild itching and discomfort may follow when ulceration develops. Some cases may clear up on their own, but only after 12 to 24 mo.
Cat hair loss treatments
In most cases, you will not know what is causing your pet to lose hair, so going to the vet and finding the exact cause is the best thing you can do. This is one of the main questions pet owners are interested in and I completely understand that. If your pet is suffering from hair loss, I am sure you’re wondering if the hair will soon start growing back. There is nothing your cat or you are doing that causes hair loss in this case, but your cat’s genes are to blame.
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It results in intense itchiness, and your cat’s skin might appear as if it has a rash. As your cat scratches the irritated area, this leads to scab, lesion and bald patch formation. So if you think that cat hair loss on the ears is due to an allergic reaction to pollen, dust or mold, then monitor your cat for other additional symptoms. Loss of hair on the ears can be a sign of ringworm infection, mite infestation, an allergic reaction, hormonal imbalance, hyperthyroidism, flea infection, and other similar disorders. A stressed cat might experience hair loss if they are overly anxious or experiencing stress for a prolonged period.
Chronic anxiety and stress is not good for them and may lead to various health issues. A highly stressed feline may seek a way of relieving their stress, often resulting in compulsive behavior like incessant licking or scratching. Moving to a new home, introducing a new pet, or any other big changes in your cat’s life may cause anxiety and stress and cause them to lick themselves obsessively. Usually, once the stressful event is over, they may stop the habit, but at times, it can become compulsive. All skin infections—be it from excessive licking due to another underlying cause, an abscess, or a wound—need veterinary attention promptly. Your vet can confirm if there is a fungal or a bacterial infection by culturing the site.
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They’re visibly noticeable and even leave small droppings in your cat’s skin and fur. When fleas bite, they leave saliva behind, which causes itchiness called flea allergy dermatitis. In other words, the fleas’ saliva makes felines scratch excessively. Cats tend to lose the hair around their ears since they rub their faces to relieve itch. If the underlying cause is a behavioral reason for your cat’s over-grooming leading to hair loss, your vet might discuss your cat’s lifestyle to figure out what is causing them stress. To find out more about what’s going on, take your cat to your veterinarian for a complete exam, including blood work, a thyroid function check, and a urinalysis.
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These crusts can cause a great deal of hair loss if left untreated. The exact diagnostic process and treatment for a cat losing hair on ears, depends on the trigger or underlying cause. For example, the vet will also take hair samples and scrape a little skin sample to test for ringworm and other parasites.
