My cat keeps losing hair

QUESTION:

Hi,

My cat just had 5 kittens 4 weeks ago and ever since she has been losing big clumps of hair. Normally she has some cat hair loss, but it's never big clumps.

She also was eating a lot, but now just recently my cat barely will eat anything. She's also been sleeping a lot. I don't know what's wrong or if it's just normal. Please help.

ANWER:

Hi,

Unfortunately, I don't know where you are writing from - if you are in an area where it is Spring and the weather is changing from cold to hot. That can make a difference in my answer.

First of all, your kitty has been through cat pregnancy, delivery, and nursing, I assume. It is normal for cats to eat more during pregnancy and the early days of nursing. Also, cats have less hair loss during cat pregnancy and also during winter.

If you ARE in a climate where the seasons are changing, then your kitty could be experiencing an increased loss of hair due to the season change in addition to what she is losing from normal cat postpartum changes.

That applies to appetite as well. Cats have such an increased appetite during pregnancy and nursing that, as she is getting back to normal, it will seem as if your cat is not eating nearly as much. Likewise, cats eat less in warmer weather.

Your cat may also be less active, again due to the recovery from her feline pregnancy and delivery and nursing as well as the tendency for cats to be somewhat less active when the weather is warmer.

That said, I cannot say for sure since I cannot directly examine your kitty. There can be many other causes of hair loss and decreased appetite and activity in cats. The safest action would be to have her checked out by a veterinarian.

Best,
Dr. Neely

Litter of Kittens Losing Hair!

by Tina
(Alberta. Canada)

QUESTION:

I have a litter of kittens that are currently four weeks old. They are Ragdoll cross and, up to a week ago, very fluffy.

One male kitten lost 90% of his hair starting down his spine and spreading throughout the trunk of his body. He still has hair on his head and a little on his tummy. The rest is pretty much bald.

Now I have another kitten starting to lose the hair on his spine. There seems to be no other health issues. They still are active, purr when they are petted, are eating and drinking, going potty (no diarrhea)??? I'm baffled. Please Help!!!


ANSWER:

Hair loss in kittens is almost always due to either fleas or ringworm (a fungal infection) with ringworm being more likely in kittens that young and with that large degree of hair loss. You definitely need to have them seen by a veterinarian so that appropriate treatment can be started.

Best,
Dr. Neely