Cat Hair Loss: What Should You Do? Let's Look at the Causes and Solutions

by Diusa SA July 10, 2025

Cat hair loss: Are you already panicking about your furry friend’s health?

Let’s take a step back and try to understand what’s causing this excessive hair loss in cats.

Sometimes it’s simply the shedding season, while in other cases it may be a sign that your cat is experiencing some kind of discomfort , whether physical or psychological.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the causes might be and when you should start to worry.

Cat Hair Loss: What Are the Possible Causes?

The first thing to know is that shedding in cats is completely natural. You may have noticed that your cat tends to shed more during the summer. This is because a cat’s coat adapts to the climate of its environment. Cats typically shed twice a year: in the fall/winter and in the spring/summer. For the sake of completeness, it’s also worth noting that the shedding process can be prolonged or altered depending on the temperature and season.

However, a cat’s skin should never be exposed. If it is, this could lead to a number of problems.

Of course, if you notice any unusual symptoms in your cat, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian.

Let’s now look at what might be causing excessive hair loss.

The cat is losing its fur: it might be an infection

When cats shed their fur, the most common cause is a parasitic infection (such as fleas or ticks).

In these cases, the cat tends to lick itself to relieve the itching caused by the infestation (without actually solving the problem).

If you suspect your cat has fleas, consult your veterinarian. A professional will certainly be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Cat licking its fur, remedies for cat hair loss

Alopecia in cats: watch out for dermatitis

There are certain types of dermatitis that cause hair loss and are typically characterized by irritated, reddened skin.

Non-parasitic dermatitis can have various causes:

stress
allergic reactions
contact with irritants
presence of other conditions

Unbalanced diet

Perhaps not everyone knows that even a diet that isn’t nutritionally balanced can lead to weaker, more brittle fur.

Our advice is to always pay attention to the nutritional content when buying cat food.

Cat Hair Loss: The Importance of Nutrition

When you start to notice hair loss in your cat, you might want to adjust its diet (unless it’s already on a special diet due to other specific needs or health issues).

Our recommendation is to follow a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, and animal-based proteins. Also, always remember that cats need minerals such as zinc and copper, as well as vitamins (in particular, vitamins A and E are essential for maintaining the skin’s natural defenses and strengthening the coat).

Cat Hair Loss: What You Can Do to Prevent It

Here are 3 tips you can start following right away:

Brush your cat regularly: 5–10 minutes at least once a week is enough. If your cat has short hair, you can use a soft-bristled brush, while a metal-bristled brush works best for long-haired cats (does your cat not particularly like being brushed? You can also use special pet grooming gloves!);

Pay attention to their diet: to stay strong and healthy, a cat’s coat needs a diet rich in protein. Vitamins A and E, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are also important;
Always check its cleanliness: you can use cleaning wipes or special dry-cleaning sprays.

In any case, if you think your cat is shedding too much, we recommend that you take it to the veterinarian to determine the cause and the most appropriate treatment.

The post " Cat Hair Loss: What to Do? Let's Look at the Causes and Solutions " first appeared on Dog and Cat Food | Alleva .

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