Seasonal shedding is completely normal for pets, but in some cases, a cat may frequently scratch herself or even have bald spots. Hair and fur loss, called alopecia, is actually a common problem for cats. This can refer to full or partial fur loss, and various health issues can cause it. Here are some of the most common reasons Fluffy may be losing her fur.

The #1 cause of fur loss is allergies. Figuring out what she is allergic to can take some time. Your cat could be allergic to food, medications, insect bites (particularly fleas), dust, or outdoor pollen. When she has an allergy, her skin will itch. That often causes her to groom more, and she’ll end up with bald spots.

Parasites are another reason for hair loss. Just like with allergic reactions, parasites can cause intense itching, which means she will scratch the itch. Parasites would include mange, scabies, fleas, ticks, and lice. Your vet can treat parasite problems.

Endocrine disorders like thyroid and other hormonal problems can result in hair loss. Many of these types of problems can be easily managed with medication from your vet.

Stress can also cause Fluffy to lose some fur. This would include boredom, problems in multi-pet households, a high-strung nervous cat, or physical pain. Obviously, the key here is to reduce the stress. This could mean environmental changes like more perches and window beds, extra litter boxes, or gating a room to keep it dog-free when your cat needs some quiet time. Extremely high-strung kitties may need medication.

As usual, if your feline is losing some fur, we suggest heading to your vet. Depending on what is going on, your vet may process blood work, take skin scrapings, and perform other diagnostic steps to get your kitty on the road to good health. You may want to ask your vet for a temporary topical treatment so Fluffy isn’t so itchy, since if she isn’t scratching, her skin will have the time it needs to heal.

So, if Fluffy has some fur loss, don’t panic; see your vet. In most cases, it’s not serious, and her fur will grow back. Remember, prevention is the key to good health!