Generally speaking, the felines have a lot of things that make people fall in love with them: squishy paws, majestic whiskers and of course, fluffy coat. That is why it could be traumatizing for you to see your cat losing hair at base of tail day after day without stop. Without treatment, hair loss around the tail in cats often leads to localized balding which leaves the coat of the felines in an unsightly state. If you want to put an end to the hair loss, you must identify the underlying cause and then address it as soon as possible.
Need some help at tackling the issue of cat losing hair at base of tail? Then this article is going to come in really handy. Down below, you would be introduced to practically everything that pet owners should keep in mind regarding hair loss in cats from causes to solutions. Use the following information you obtain here to help your kitty get its coat back.
Origin Of The Hair Loss
To stop the hair loss in cats as well as prevent future resurgent, you must know what is causing it. While different cats experience different troubles, keep in mind these suspects while analyzing the situation.
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Allergies
Similar to humans, cats also suffer from allergic reactions once they come into contact with certain substances in the house. Affected felines often attempt to bite at the tail and pull out clumps of hair until the allergens go away. Fortunately, if your kitty is losing hair due to allergies, all you have to do is to remove the allergens to address the hair loss. Keep watch over your cat in order to decide what is giving it allergic reactions. For example, if the allergens happen to be some types of food, the pets would throw up shortly after mealtime.
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Feline Tail Gland Hyperplasia
Also known as stud tail, Feline Tail Gland Hyperplasia is the result of dysfunctions in the sebaceous gland of which lead to accumulation of waxy oil substance around the tail. The condition tends to be characterized by foul smells, tiny red dots (caused by bacteria infection) and loss of hair. Feline Tail Gland Hyperplasia is common in male cats and cats that have poor hygiene. In most of the cases, it's possible for cat parents to address the condition simply by giving the pets periodic baths and grooming sessions.
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Parasites (Fleas, Ticks And Mites)
Overall, external parasites usually don't bother too much about the location after they manage to latch on a host. That being said, the annoying bloodsuckers might congregate at base of tail there by chance and give the felines trouble. As the tiny parasites bite the skin of the pets for blood, they create minor rashes, dry skin and itchiness. If your furball scratches its skin to relieve the itchiness, it inadvertently pulls out lots of hair in the process. To properly resolve parasite-induced hair loss, it's necessary to get rid of the parasite and treat the bites.
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Pain
If the felines feel pain at a particular spot then they would lick that spot in order to comfort itself. Because of that, it's common for cats with arthritis to lick the achy joints. While the licking indeed makes the felines calm down, it also removes plenty of hair. So if you notice your cat losing hair at base of tail then you should definitely consider going over the region for signs of injuries. In the case you see wounds, bruises and so on right around the tail of your cat, it's probably losing hair because of pain.
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Stress, Anxiety And Fear
Being sensitive creatures, the average cats tend to be frightened by changes in the house. Unfamiliar faces, new pets, rearrangements of the furniture,... a lot of things could send your fluffy friend into a panic. Once the felines feel deadly scared, they use various means to relax: running, hiding, grooming,... Most cats would go back to usual after some time but if they keep feeling scared, hair loss would happen. In order to put an end to the hair loss caused by stress, anxiety and fear, it's essential to help the pets calm down.
Treating Hair Loss In Cats
Technically, it's possible for the average pet owners to take care of the issue of cat losing hair at base of tail by themselves. Still, if you want to be on the safe side, it's strongly recommended that you take your furball to the vets for comprehensive examinations. The veterinarians would give your cat a thorough check and possibly some test so see what is going on then devise a proper treatment regime. Obviously, people must refrain from giving cats medication without obtaining clearance from the vets beforehand.
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Top 3 Frequently Asked Question And Answers About Cat Losing Hair
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Could cat lose hair normally?
Well, cats lose some hair every now and then but many feline experts believe that due to genetics, certain breeds lose more hair than others. In most of the cases, natural hair loss in cats involves fairly small amounts of fur and automatically resolves over time without requiring outside assistance.
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What is acquired hair loss?
Besides natural hair loss, cats these kinds of days also experience acquired hair loss which is a symptom of a condition, not a disease itself. When the underlying issue is addressed, acquired hair loss would likely subside in no time.
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For a cat that is losing hair, would the hair grow back after some time?
Fortunately, as long as the cause of the hair loss is properly taken care of, the hair of the felines should grow back like before. Nonetheless, to ensure that the growth of hair proceeds smoothly, it's a must to act decisively once you first notice your cat losing hair. All in all, a trip to the local veterinary clinic is always a safe bet if you feel that something is wrong with your kitty.
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