Cat pulling out fur.

[TommyGirl226]

I have a male cat that is 8 years old. He has been pulling out his fur for about a year now, it has been getting worse during the past month or so. There are some noticeable bald spots on the back and stomach. There are no fleas. I was wondering if it could be caused by dry skin. If not is there any suggestions of what could cause this.

Thanks Frances.

[sugarcatmom]

Have you seen a vet about this?

What does your cat eat?

[erinjayne]

Could be allergies!

[Chaser]

My cat does it when he's stressed. For him, stress = not getting tonnes and tonnes of love, but any upheaval or changes in your household could cause this.

I would rule out allergies with a vet and consider stress as a potential culprit.

[catlover2]

TommyGirl226, Some questions: Any thing you can think of that happened in the last 2 months to make his condition worse? Changes in the household? --- of people (stress thro job loss, relationship issues), addition/deletion of other pets? furniture changes? different household products? In past couple months, our windows have been closed more--perhaps more toxins, allergens concentrated? Our furnaces have been on, so air is drier...did you try a humidifier?

[TommyGirl226]

He's eating special kitty gourmet flavor, its says its good for adult cats hairballs and that sort of thing. I haven't had him to a vet he seems just fine except for pulling out his fur. Nothing changed in his environment during the last year or so. He has some white flakes in his fur that looks like dandruff or dry skin, could that do something.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by TommyGirl226

He's eating special kitty gourmet flavor,

That would be dry, correct? I'm willing to bet the farm that this is the source of the problem. I couldn't find the ingredients for the Gourmet version online, but the ones for the Urinary Tract formula are probably pretty close:

Ground Yellow Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Wheat, Animal Digest, Animal Fat (Preserved W/Bha), Meat and Bone Meal,.....

Horrific. Cats are carnivores. Corn and wheat have no place anywhere in their vicinity accept as a source of cover while they're hunting mice. I urge you to change your kitty's food to a quality canned or even raw diet. Please read this website on why dry food is not an appropriate source of nutrition for cats: www.catinfo.org

Originally Posted by TommyGirl226

He has some white flakes in his fur that looks like dandruff or dry skin, could that do something.

Yup, it means his health is poor, which is reflected in the condition of his skin and coat. And the basis of good health is good food. I guarantee that once you start feeding him better, the dandruff will go away and he'll probably stop pulling out his fur.

Hope that helps. Please let us know how the diet change goes. I have lots of tips if you have trouble converting him to wet food.

[catlover2]

The coat always reflects the condition of a cat. Dandruff or flakes are the result of dry skin, and result of a poor diet. His skin is probably making his skin itchy and uncomfortable, so that's why he's pulling his hair out. SCM has excellent suggestion on improving his diet. I would start there first.

[TommyGirl226]

I'll try changing his diet and see if that improves his coat. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll update on how he does.

[beckiandthetrio]

My cat does this too!! I did take him to the vet but nothing could be found obviously wrong with him. They suggested Hill's diet for allergens (forgot which kind) but instead of doing that I switched to a high quality diet. The effects were evident almost instantly. He does still lick alot on his belly but he has no dandruff anymore and is now a healthy weight (was 17lbs and now is 14lbs). Good luck.

Note of caution: When you take him to the vet they will probably suggest Hill's Science Diet food. DONT buy it. Sugarcatmom is an expert on feline nutrition (she helped me) so please talk to her about what to feed.

Some brands I use--

Wellness
Spot's Stew
EVO
Weurva

I dont know where you live but around here at Petco you can find alot of these brands otherwise just do a google search.

Becki

[rainbow]

TommyGirl226, glad to hear that you are going to change his diet as that is surely the cause of your cat's fur pulling and dry flaky skin. I hope you follow sugarcatmom's recommendations.

[growler~GateKeeper]

When was the last time your cat had bloodwork? Was his thyroid T4 level checked?