Why would a cat start pulling its hair out??

Question

My daughters cat has suddenly started pulling its hair off of its front legs... The cat is almost ten years old and has never done this before.

The cat does not go outside...well, once in awhile he sits on the deck but never goes into the yard. And, she did get a dog about a year ago...that's the only new thing in the cats life.

Answer 1

it might be allergies or stress of some sort or it might be due to its age(like kitty alsheimers)there are so many things that could cause this, cats are creatures of habit and its an older/geriatric cat......have you changed "anything" in your household? new people, company, new carpet cleaner, laundry detergent, air freshener, food, does it have fleas, does it go outside,anything at all???? you should probably go get a check up with a vet to make sure, especially given her age......smile

edit: did this start when the new dog came into the home?? mabey even just slightly? or has the new dog finally really settled in and now is comfortable in its environment, enough to harras the kitty???also just one flea can cause an allergic reaction... so being on the porch might have done just that.....fleas can live in your yard....either way I would still recommend going to your vet and getting a check up.. they might put it on prednisone and that will help.....good luck...smile

Edit:whats up with the haters... this is not a bad answer... frown...stop the hating!!

Answer 2

This behavior (pulling out hair) can be triggered by:

1. Allergy and itch due to flea bites or dust mites
2. Psychological or emotional stress

You mentioned that there is another pet in the house and that it has been there for about a year. It is not unusual for a cat to suddenly become stressed by the presence of another pet when he seemed to have accepted or tolerated it before. At any rate, if this is the problem, the cat could benefit from "feel good" substances like catnip or cat anti-stress scents (pheremones) like Feliway (obtained from a pet store). But you need to have ruled out fleas or dust mites.

Answer 3

The main reason cats pull their furr out is allergy and the second is stress. The factors include allergy to food, environment or insects. Stress can be by temperament or by a distress of some kind that is causing the cat to react by plucking at its furr. Take the cat to a good vet and have it for skin allergies and the reasons why this is happening. The cat is not comfortable and is unhappy so as we take on their care, this is part of the deal to supply to its needs medically too. Best of luck with this. I do hope you and your cat can be back to a happy way soon.

Cheers

Lisa

Answer 4

Perhaps a skin allergy? I'm really not sure, my cat has done that every winter since we've gotten him. All I've come up with is that he has dry skin. He stops when it gets warm out.

But if your cat goes out-doors, he could have fleas that he's allergic too. That's very common, and could cause over grooming in the cat.

Good luck.

Answer 5

My cat does this due to allergies. He does have flea allergies (so even if your cat does not go outside, treat them with Frontline, etc). Some cats just have a weak dermis and anything (just like people) can stir their allergies. I give my cat vitamins called DermaStrength. You give them a pill once a day, and it really helps to build up their dermis. You can get them at your vet for about $6 a bottle.

Answer 6

allergies!!! ym mom's cat does the saem thing. we took her to the vet and found out she is severely allergic to fleas (we got her from a shelter) and she cannot go outside, at all!! not even to sit on the deck! even if you don't see fleas on your daughter's cat, the dog could have them, or there could be fleas on the deck. usually, if this is what she's allergic to, she'll have bumpy scabs where she's pulled out fur. our cat is also very allergic to some cat foods (chicken, lamb&rice). so sometimes she pulls her fur from that. it also makes her vomit if she eats some. just taek her to the vet and they'll do some tests to see if she has allergies and what she's allergic to.

Answer 7

I'm tempted to suggest allergies or itchy dry skin. You may want a vet to take a look, and if need be suggest dietary changes.

Or is it suddenly getting warm where you are, and the cat is shedding?

Answer 8

flea allegy .. take cat to the vet.. he will give you the flea stuff you put in the food.. it works really good! My cat was losing hair on his back and tail area.. you just mix with moist food and they eat it with no problem with in a few weeks the hair will grow back just keep it going during flea season in your area.

Answer 9

the cat may have mange you should take it to the vet