Why is my cat licking its fur off?
It is no secret that cats are very clean and invest a lot of time in grooming every day. However, if a cat licks their fur away, this is, of course, anything but desirable and should not be ignored under any circumstances.
In this case, the vet calls it feline self-induced alopecia (FSA), which means that the four-legged friend is causing the hair loss himself. In the following, we explain the possible reasons for cats licking their fur away and what you can do about it.
Cat licks away their fur: Often itching is the cause
When a cat licks their fur, it is often due to itching. This, in turn, can have many causes. In order to get the excessive licking and the resulting bald patches under control, it is therefore first necessary to determine the trigger for the itching. The most common causes are skin parasites and various allergies that can occur in cats.
Cats with skin parasites often lick their fur away
Whether cat fleas or mites - skin parasites of any kind are not uncommon in cats. In addition to complaints such as skin inflammation and dandruff, severe itching is one of the typical symptoms of parasite infestation.
Affected four-legged friends try to counteract this with frequent scratching and licking. Some cats even lick away parts of their fur with their rough tongues, so that completely bald patches sometimes appear on the body.
Cats with skin parasites must be treated promptly. There are many different preparations with chemical and natural active ingredients available for this purpose.
Cats with allergies often lick their fur off
Not only humans, but also cats can develop allergies. The four-legged friends can suffer from so-called environmental allergies in particular, as well as allergic reactions to the saliva of fleas or certain ingredients of their food.
Among the symptoms that occur in affected four-legged friends is severe itching. If your cat is licking its fur away, allergies are therefore definitely a cause you should consider.
Hypoallergenic food for allergic cats
If your cat suffers from a food allergy, animal proteins in the cat food are usually responsible. In order to eliminate the symptoms, your four-legged friend will need a hypoallergenic cat food in the future.
In this case, we recommend that you switch to our varieties with insects. For our insect-based cat food, we use the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as a protein source.
The insect protein is hypoallergenic, easily digestible and also has a high biological value. This makes it ideal for providing your nutritionally sensitive four-legged friend with high-quality animal proteins on a long-term basis.
View our hypoallergenic cat food in the shop.
Natural support for healthy fur
In addition to feeding a high-quality cat food, the administration of suitable nutritional supplements can help to support your cat's coat health.
With Shiimun Skin, we have developed a special preparation made from natural ingredients for this purpose. Shiimun Skin contains many valuable nutrients and, thanks to its special composition, can maintain your cat's normal skin condition and contribute to a thick coat.
View Shiimun Skin for cats in the shop.
Pain as a cause of bald patches in the cat's coat
Occasionally, pain can also be responsible for a cat licking away their fur from a certain part of their body. For example, the animal may have bladder stones or a bladder infection.
If the cat keeps licking its belly because of this, it usually does not take long for bald patches to develop there. To prevent this, the cause of the pain must be identified and treated. What exactly is needed depends on the condition responsible for the cat's pain.
Bald patches in cats with hyperthyroidism
Feline hyperthyroidism is a hormonal disorder common in cats, estimated to affect about one in 10 animals over the age of eight.
Among the possible symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism in cats is excessive grooming, which can lead to bald patches in the coat. Hyperthyroidism is treated with medication or surgery, depending on the severity and the trigger.
Cat licks away its fur: Are psychological problems to blame?
Physical problems such as parasites, allergies or hyperthyroidism are not always responsible for a cat licking their fur. Occasionally, psychological problems can also be the reason for excessive licking and the associated consequences.
Your cat may be bored and use excessive grooming as an occupation. Or maybe your cat is stressed because you have recently moved into a new home and they are not yet used to the new surroundings.
If your cat is licking their fur off and health reasons can be ruled out, it is always a good idea to look at psychological causes as well. Maybe it is enough to keep your cat busy in everyday life or to pay more attention to your cat in order to stop the conspicuous behaviour during grooming.
Cat licking their fur off: Does the four-legged friend need to go to the vet?
Basically, it is always a good idea to consult a vet if your cat has skin or coat problems such as bald patches caused by excessive licking. After all, the trigger may be a serious health problem, which is not usually readily apparent to a layperson. As an owner, for example, you will hardly be able to diagnose hyperthyroidism or bladder stones in your cat without a doubt.
The veterinarian can examine your cat and usually find out quite quickly why your cat is licking their fur. Depending on the results of the examination, the vet will then tell you which treatment measures are sensible, so that the complaints will hopefully soon be a thing of the past.
Cat licking its fur off - our conclusion
As you can see, there can be many different reasons for your cat licking their fur. To help your four-legged friend, it is essential to first determine the exact trigger and then eliminate it. After all, bald patches in the coat are usually not just a visual problem.
Often it is only a matter of time before the cat's skin is also affected and sores are caused by the constant licking with your cat's rough tongue. In addition, health problems such as parasites and allergies are of course extremely unpleasant and, without treatment, can lead to various other complaints.
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