What should I do... My cat's shedding massive amounts of fur?

Question

Literal hand amouns of fur are being found everywhere ... I combed her and got 12 full brushes of hair ... now she's getting bald spots ... Ahhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhh.

Answer 1

They also shed when they are under stress. Any change in environment? Smoking in the house when you didnt before? Move he litter box? New people moved in? Any of these could put stress on your cat. Contact your Vet and they will be able to help you.

Answer 2

Schedule an appointment with your vet. This could be caused by stress, allergies, or a chemical imbalance such as hypothyroidism.
Your vet might want to do some bloodwork or other tests based on the symptoms you describe, so make sure you tell him/her eveything you've noticed. Has your cat gained/lost weight? Eating/drinking more? Has she been scratching a lot? Has her activity level changed? Try to keep these things in mind because anything you can tell your vet about what's going on will help. After all, you're with your pet all the time and the vet's not, so you know what's normal for her.

Answer 3

I agree that you need to have a vet check her over for any possible medical problems.

Problems on the outside of a cat are directly related to what is going on inside the cat. Diet can be crucial and I think you must look at what she is eating for any possible allergens in her food. Corn is a common allergen for cats and dogs and inexpensive grocery store food is mostly 2/3 corn. So I would look to a better food - Solid Gold (Katzen Flocken), Natural Balance, Eagle Pack, Inova Evo, etc. to see if that will reduce the shedding. If chicken is the allergen it's harder to find a food without it and Natural Balance does have a vension and pea.

In order to identify which might be causing problems use a food without corn for a couple of months to see if there is improvement. If the problem persists then try the venison and pea. Veterinarians also can get you special diets that have no chicken. You need to do it by elimination.

To switch dry foods click on my name at the icon for a "recipe" for success. I would be inclined to introduce some canned food into her diet just for added moisture.

Answer 4

While it is normal for cats to shed *some* year round and especially during the warmer summer months, shedding such as you've described, and bald spots are NOT normal.

She needs to see a vet; some medical problem is causing this abnormal condition.

Answer 5

OMG my cat has the same problem! No one else can possibly imagine the amount of cat hair, right? I took my cat to the vet and they did $142 worth of blood tests to see if it was thyroid related or anything else and did not find anything. They gave her a steroid shot and it stopped the shedding. This was during the summer. Now the problem has returned and she is on oral steroids which are cheaper and also will keep the steroid level in her system constant. Take you cat to the vet they should be able to help her.

I really empathize with you. I thinks I am going to collect the fur and knit a sweater with it! j/k

Answer 6

I would bring her to the vets for a check up and make sure nothing is wrong medically.

also is she under a lot of stress, new family member in the house, a family member leave the house, someone on a different schedule (staying late at work etc)

What food do you buy her?

Answer 7

I would say.. not to worry.. YOu did not mention how old the cat was as older cats might shed more to what appears to be balding.... It is also perhaps that time of year when shedding is in control... I would still brush lightly the cat

Answer 8

Take her to the vet, excessive shedding could be a sign of a medical problem.

Answer 9

is she nervous or scared about something...i'd take her to the vet...thats not normal...usually they only shed their fur during the summer, to get rid of the extra coat

Answer 10

You may want to take her to the vet regardless of her age - just to be safe.