what would cause my cat to loose large amounts of fur?

Question

there is a cat that has been hanging around that has large patches of fur missing and there is places where other fur has begun growing back. i am concerned for my mother cat and her kittens that are outside around this cat.

Answer 1

It could be mange or some other type of skin disorder. Best to keep your cats away. Mange is cureable but nasty and uncomfortable. If this is a stray cat then you might consider calling the humane society to have it picked up and helped and even find a new home.

Answer 2

It could be mange. It could be really bad fleas. It could be that the cat was in an accident or a fight. It could be that (if long-haired) her fur got in a tangle and she got stuck and pulled the fur out while trying to escape.

I would be concerned. Neither your mother cat, nor her kittens should be outside (that's how she got kittens in the first place!). Outside they can catch any number of diseases.

Keep your kitties inside. Take the outside cat to the animal shelter or have the animal control folks catch it.

Answer 3

There are several reasons why a cat would lose fur. The cat could have mange or ringworm or a severe case of fleas. The cat may also have food allergies. It could also be hormonal or stress related. The best thing is to have the cat checked out by a vet.
Check out these websites:
For an article on mange/scabies http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1334&articleid=737

For information on rignworm http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=2023&articleid=223 and http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/home_remedies_for_ringworm_in_cats

For inforamtion on stress http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/overcoming_stress/manifestations_of.html

Answer 4

first your mother cat and kittens should not be outside. second it could either be mange or ringworm which are contagious. It could also possibly be that the cat got into a fight and was reallly stressed and lost alot of fur. Either way keep you cats away from it.

Answer 5

I'm thinking mange or ringworm... Like angel said, they are both contagious.

Get your cats inside if you can, because it really is NOT pleasant to have to go through cats, and especially kittens, with mange or ringworm.

We adopted a kitten that had ringworm. We had to take it to the vet everyday for a special medicated bath. In total, it took like several hundred dollars for ONE cat. If possible, call animal control to catch the cta so it can be diagnosed, treated, and returned to where it came from.

Answer 6

that's a sign of a fight! there are 4 outdoor cats that frequent/live in our backyard. Numerous times, I've heard a bizzarre, loud wrestling/hissing/growling noise, and realized it was a vicious fight! either they were territory fights or a male cat was trying to mate with an unwilling partner! (which, usually a female cat is unwilling..)

anyway, every time, one of the cats is parading around in our backyard with a HUGE bald spot, usually on its side. It freaked me out the first time, but I've seen it on three out of the four cats, and it always has grown back.


then again, my hypothesis could be wrong and it could be some sort of disease.

anyway, i'd be concerned leaving your cat and her kittens outside. i think they should probably be inside...

Answer 7

did you mean to say LOSE fur?
loose is the opposite of tight.
it could be mange if the cat is unhealthy. It could be from cat fights. My long haired cat loses patches if I dont trim his fur regularly due to hair mats forming

Answer 8

Do you flea treat regularly? This could be a flea allergy and easily remedied by using something like 'Advantage' for fleas. The other possibility is food allergies. Try changing to a food without a corn base.

Answer 9

could be mange and you should be concerned. also about fleas on the kittens, fleas can suck the life out of a kitten in no time.but to be honest if you cared that much about your cat she wouldn't be outside to begin with.

Answer 10

Sounds like scabies to me.. Or he could be a fighting Tom.. Call your vet and see what he has to say.. either way I would not let my cat near him..