Why does my cat pull hair out of his back?

Vetstreet states that the most common reason cats pull their own hair out is that their skin is itchy. If you notice your cat scratching and chewing at his fur, especially if your cat is pulling out fur at the base of his tail, there’s a good chance you could have pests like fleas, mites, or even a tick on your hands.

How do I stop my cat from pulling his hair out?

Two commonly used drugs are clomipramine and amitriptyline. Some cats with psychogenic alopecia may also respond to chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine) or systemic glucocorticoids. I know that your cat hates being medicated, and I understand your concern about giving medication to cats unless absolutely necessary.

What do cat mites look like?

Feline Scabies: skin crusts and hair loss. Ear mites: The inner ear will appear dirty with dark debris that resembles coffee grounds. Walking Dandruff: dandruff-like skin crusts and small bumps along the skin. Feline Demodicosis: hair loss and fluid-filled sores.

What happens if you don’t treat hyperthyroidism in cats?

Feline hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in older cats, caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormone. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism can result in heart failure and other complications, and can even lead to death.

What are the signs of feline diabetes?

4 Possible Signs of Diabetes in Cats: Looking Out for Your Feline Friend

• Increased urination. One of the most common cat diabetes symptoms is frequent urination.
• Excessive thirst. A cat that urinates more often will be thirstier and spend more time at the water bowl.
• Increased appetite.
• Unexpected weight loss.

What are the tiny black things in my cat’s fur?

You may not see fleas hopping on your cat’s fur, but finding a number of black specks on her are an indicator she has fleas. The specks are often called “flea dirt” and are the feces from the fleas. Cats that develop an allergy to fleas will feel much more itchy after fleas bite them.

Why is my cat so itchy no fleas?

Important causes of pruritus other than fleas include: Food intolerance/allergy. Atopy (house dust and pollen allergy) Insect bites.

What are the symptoms of a cat with thyroid problems?

The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. The coat of affected cats may appear unkempt, matted, or greasy (see Figure 1).

What is the dirt under my cat’s chin?

Does your cat look like she has some dirt on her chin? It could be feline acne, a common skin condition in cats. What looks like a dirty chin could be a mild to moderate case of cat acne. Those black specks are actually blackheads, similar to blackheads in humans.

What causes a cat to pull out its fur?

According to veterinarian Arnold Plotnick, a cat that pulls her fur out is experiencing a medical problem, such as mites, or a psychological problem caused by stress and fear. Excessive grooming also makes a cat susceptible to hair loss.

Why is my cat losing hair?

There are several reasons that may cause your cat to suffer from hair loss on its back legs. The ASPCA recommends bringing your cat to the veterinarian, as hair loss can be caused by fleas, food allergies, a bacterial infection or even an autoimmune disease. Hair loss, or alopecia, in cats can range from treatable to serious.

Why does my cat… pull her hair out?

Cats can also pull their hair out due to a nervous disorder, although that is not as common. If a cat has any small mats in their fur, they will try to pull those out. Your cat is also at the age when certain “older cat” disorders can set in.

Why do cats pull their fur out in chunks?

If your cat is pulling its hair out in chunks and stops eating, this could be because your cat has an eating disorder. Your cat could be eating too much, and if it’s done that for a long time, it’s causing its digestive system to malfunction.