Ok about 2 months ago I noticed this patch of hair on my cats back that was thinner than the other, as if she were missing some hair, and with time it just grew and grew. I thought maybe her hair was thinning out. She doesn't have any kind of bug on her, she's an indoor cat, she's 7 years old, and there have been no changes around here, no change in food, people, environment, nothing. But just a couple days ago when I was laying with her on the couch, I finally discovered why her hair was like that, because she was RIPPING it off of her back and eating it! I've researched that thyroid problem, it's not that, she's not acting strange beside pulling her hair out, she isn't gaining/lossing weight...So could any one help?
2007-09-09 07:56:00 · 7 answers · asked by Lizzie * 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
i looked up the thyroid symptoms, she only has the loss of fur problem, and that's it. She doesn't go out, I know she doesn't have fleas, she doesn't have any contact with other animals.
And I really don't want to take her to the vet because she hasn't gone in over 4 years because she freaks out so much. I'm scared if i take her she'll have a heart attack. If there's any way to make you guys understand, I'll say last time they had to throw a blanket over her, put on heavy duty gloves and inject her with something. I rather have her at home where she's calm and normal.
2007-09-09 09:00:42 · update #1
umm..u should see the vet ASAP...becuz my cat was just losing weight..he would eat but he would get skinny..it was becuz he had worms......he couldn't die from it but we had to put him down becuz he had feline HIV.....ur cat just probally has worms..don't worry about the HIV thing...but yeah take it too the vet ASAP.
hope this helps
2007-09-09 08:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've got one that will yank fur out if he's eaten the wrong food, even within 3 hours of eating, it's that quick.
Cat food manufacturers are famous for 'tweeking' their recipies and ingredients without telling anyone. Unless they revamp it completely they won't stamp a 'new' label on it. The new ingredient or mix change just goes in quietly and nobody knows unless they compare labels and look to see if anything is new or shifted in the list order.
It's entirely possible she either reached an allergy limit on the food she's eating, and is showing signs of allergic reaction now, or the food manufacturer could have changed the food enough that she's reacting to the new mix.
Our guy would pull out so much fur he'd have a ring of it around him, and it would take a month to grow back in again. It was frustrating finding a food he could tolerate. Near as we can figure, it's one of the preservatives that are added, or a combination of two or three of them, that causes that in him. We have him on food he's had less of a reaction to.
Your vet can recommend cat foods that are low allergy causing. There was a venison & potato that was WONDERFUL but the manufacturer switched it to venison and chickpea, and our guy was yanking fur withing 3 hours of the first meal of that. Right now we have him on Royal Canin Siamese 38 which he's fortunately got a minimal reaction to.
2007-09-09 16:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flea irritation is one possibillity but if you're sure she hasn't got them then it could be a thyroid problem which, if left untreated can be very serious if not fatal. She needs to see a vet right away. My cat developed the same problem at around the same age, he was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid & put on medication, they live well with it once they're in receipt of medical attention.
2007-09-09 08:45:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/Yv6Wr
Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).
1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.
2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.
2016-04-22 10:29:48 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you particular all the fleas are long gone? i artwork at an animal well being center and that i've got seen a cat presently that had flea psychosis, he chewed a hollow in his side by way of fact he itched so undesirable. Get her to the vet.
2016-10-18 11:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by llanos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat has chewed her hair off her belly for years. The vet told me she is doing it from stress or boredom. My guess for my situation is stress. She isn't hurt by it in anyway...and she has had a bald belly for years!!!
If she is eating well, and acting normal, I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-09-09 08:17:16 · answer #6 · answered by kiki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my cat did this for awhile too. could be fleas. get her some medicine like front line advantage. she could be also really bored. my cat didn't have anything to do so she would just keep cleaning herself till her fur fell out. it does grow back (slowly)
2007-09-09 08:43:23 · answer #7 · answered by ladyamethyst83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋