Hair loss in cats. Why does a cat have oily fur?

The general condition of your cat's coat and skin is a good indicator of its health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not rough or brittle, but healthy skin should be elastic and clean, not greasy or flaking. However, although the shine and texture of the coat is influenced by its health and nutrition, regular external care keeping a cat's fur also helps keep it in good condition, clean and tangle-free, no matter what type of coat he or she has.

What types of hair do cats have?

Together with the selection of breeds, today the coat of cats varies from completely hairless Sphynxes to smooth-haired Orientals, from domestic shorthairs to longhaired cats with truly silky fur, while some cat breeds practically do not shed.

Some cats that live in cold climates, especially in open areas, have two heavy seasonal sheddings per year (spring and late fall), during which entire clumps of undercoat may fall out. However, many cats in our homes shed lightly almost all year round.

How does a cat's diet affect its fur and skin?

The skin is the largest part of the body, and skin cells change very quickly. Most pets have almost all their skin covered with hair and change it several times a year. To keep their skin and coat healthy, your cat needs balanced diet, which contains easily digestible proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins, and provides the appropriate amount of calories to meet all the animal's energy needs.

If nutrients are poorly absorbed, not only will they be unavailable to meet the body's needs, they will put undue strain on the liver and kidneys, which are supposed to eliminate indigestible waste. The ideal diet should be individualized and suitable for the cat's specific age and health. A high-quality and balanced diet is usually the key to good and beautiful wool. A cat whose diet is not sufficient to meet her needs will have a dull, dry coat with increased shedding.

What role does medicine play in ensuring a cat’s healthy coat?

Many skin diseases affect shine and appearance your pet's fur. Allergic diseases skin and seborrhea cause itching and changes in normal sebum secretion, which also leads to excessive shedding or even patchy hair loss.

If your cat's skin or coat problems are caused by a medical condition, general state Both the pet's coat and skin often improve dramatically after the disease has been treated or brought under control.

How important is regular grooming to ensure a cat's healthy coat and skin?

Daily brushing also reduces the amount of hair your cat may ingest while grooming itself. Another benefit of brushing your cat daily is the dramatic reduction in the amount of hair and dander that can be scattered throughout the house. For some people with mild cat allergies, daily brushing can reduce the allergens enough that they can comfortably share their home with such a cat.

Regardless of coat type, you should check your cat every day for mats, which may form behind the ears, in the groin, or in the armpits. If you check your cat's fur and skin regularly, you will also have a better chance of spotting any lumps, lumps, or tumors on her body early.

How often should you bathe or wash your cat?

Most healthy adult cats are finicky and rarely need a bath. The frequency of bathing your pet may need will depend on his age, lifestyle, and any health problems. For example, an older cat with arthritis who has difficulty grooming himself may need fairly regular baths. If your cat has skin allergies, your veterinarian may prescribe a wash with medicated shampoo as an additional therapy.

Cats should only be washed with shampoos that have been specifically formulated for them, as their skin is different thickness and a different ph than human skin, so even baby shampoo may be too harsh for their skin. Since all cats lick themselves vigorously after bathing, it is extremely important to completely rinse off any detergents and shampoos to prevent your pet from ingesting them, otherwise it can lead to digestive upsets and other harm.

Why might a cat have fur problems at certain times of the year?

Some cats may suffer from skin irritation associated with low winter humidity in our homes. Other cats are allergic to tree and plant pollen - this problem is especially acute in spring period. And another group of cats are allergic to fleas or other insects, where even one bite can cause a rash and hair loss.

If you bathe or groom your cat and she quickly develops fur or skin problems again, you should take her to veterinary clinic for examination. Sometimes skin problems such as rashes, itching, a large number of dandruff, increased shedding, oily coat or bad smell may indicate serious illness. In many cases, the disease can be easily diagnosed and treated, but sometimes diagnostic problems arise and you may need to see a dermatologist.

The main takeaway is that the appearance of your cat's fur and skin are the first indicators possible problems with her health. A healthy animal does not shed excessively, and there should be no dandruff or oiliness on the top layer of fur.

Causes of hair loss in cats

1. Seasonal shedding. Shedding is such a way of nature that in the spring and autumn periods cats change their coats in accordance with the upcoming heat or cold weather. During this period, the animal behaves as usual, does not look sick, and its appetite is normal. By the way, when molting an animal does not become bald, it simply loses its old coat and acquires a new one in return. The owner should not worry if the shedding continues for a long time (sometimes up to 3 months), there may be reasons for this, for example, the cat lives in an overly suffocating and poorly ventilated room. However, it will not be superfluous to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house for the animal, as well as to maintain the body in the off-season.
2. Pregnancy and breastfeeding. A cat carrying kittens often loses its fur as its body completely restructures itself, transferring the lion's share of vitamins and nutrients from the mother to her cubs. As a rule, after stopping feeding, the cat regains its fur, and its coat looks no worse than before. The owner should remember that pregnant and lactating cats need special nutrition and vitamin preparations.
3. Stress. A cat is a sensitive and deeply vulnerable animal, so rude treatment from people, loss or change of owner, or any unusual situations can cause depression in the animal. In stressful situations, cats may lose their fur, their mood may be apathetic, and they may have no appetite. The most the best medicines V in this case there will be human affection, understanding, care and time. In the most severe cases the veterinarian may prescribe special sedatives.
4. Senile age cats. Older cats often experience thinning hair on the face and around the ears. This hair loss does not require medical treatment, but it makes sense to consult with a veterinarian about the diet of an old animal and vitamins.
5. Allergic reactions. Cats, like people, can experience allergic reactions for anything: food, medicine, chemical substances and plants ( contact dermatitis), mold, dust (inhalation dermatitis), blood-sucking saliva ( flea dermatitis), sunlight(solar dermatosis). In addition to hair loss, symptoms of allergies in cats include itching, constant licking and scratching of irritated areas of the body, redness of the skin, and the possible appearance of scales and blisters on the body. For successful treatment animal, the allergen should be identified and the possibility of the cat coming into contact with it should be excluded. Often prescribed by a doctor antihistamines, special diets, immunomodulators, insecticides depending on the allergen causing painful condition animal.
6. Hereditary or congenital diseases. These diseases include: seborrhea (alopecia, peeling and inflammation of the skin, unpleasant odor), hypotrichosis ( total loss wool under the age of one year) and other diseases. After medical examinations, tests and biopsies, treatment may be prescribed, if possible.
7. The cat's body's reaction to drug treatment. Sometimes the cat received chemotherapy or any other drug treatment can affect its coat: the cat’s coat becomes thinner, and the areas around the injection sites become inflamed. Sometimes hair loss may not occur immediately after treatment. Such loss, as a rule, does not require special treatment. Perhaps your doctor may prescribe vitamins or immunostimulants.
8. Weakening of the cat's immune system. Any diseases stressful situations, periods of estrus may cause weakening immune system in an animal. The hair falls out, but the cat has no itching or restlessness. The owner must consult a doctor for a prescription. vitamin complexes. It is also a good idea to review the animal’s diet; under no circumstances should you feed the animal food from your table or cheap and low-quality food.
9. Disruption sebaceous glands. Adenitis and hyperplasia - a violation normal functioning sebaceous glands, in which areas of the cat’s skin may become excessively shiny and covered with scales, and patchy baldness is also possible. Doctors prescribe antiseborrheic shampoos and retinoids for treatment.

Leaving hairs all over the apartment is common for most domestic felines. A cat's hair will fall out regardless of its breed and hair length. The only exceptions are hairless cat breeds (Sphynxes) and pets with plush skin, for example, the British.

In this article we will tell you about what cat hair is, why a cat can rapidly begin to lose precious hairs, and how to solve the problem of hair loss in a pet.

Let's start with the fact that regardless of the breed of the cat, the type of its coat (smooth, velvety or wavy), as well as the length of the hair, the coat consists of two layers: a thin inner (undercoat) and a coarser outer (protective).

The main function of cat skin is thermoregulation and protection of the skin from adverse effects. environment. In the hot season, the cat “sheds” its undercoat, the skin becomes lighter and the animal tolerates it more easily. high temperature air.

The coat is also renewed in cold weather: the pet loses fine hairs that have served the whole summer and acquires new ones, fluffier and warmer, according to the season.

Causes of hair loss in cats

Intense hair loss can be a symptom of a disease. Therefore, carefully monitor the well-being of your tailed friend.

However, it is too early to sound the alarm. If your pet shows no changes in behavior, is active and eats well, then there is most likely no cause for concern. His seasonal molting has begun.

The cat's hair is falling out: features of shedding in modern pets

Molting is common to all living things, even insects molt. And this process also does not bypass the cat. However, shedding in cats that constantly live in an apartment is special. Let us explain why.

Cats living in natural natural environment, molt twice a year - in spring and autumn. The processes of hair loss and regrowth are regulated in their body by the changing seasons. Pets who constantly live in an apartment lose their biorhythms that regulate the molting process. Their bodies are affected by central heating, their metabolism is disrupted by stress, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity.

That is why for a cat living in a city apartment, it is important to talk about constant shedding, which does not stop throughout the year, and intensifies during the off-season.

Unbalanced diet. Common cause of hair loss in pets

If the diet is incorrectly formulated, cats often develop problems with their fur. This happens due to the fact that the pet’s body lacks nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This problem occurs when feeding a cat low-quality food or products from your own table.

Prevention of seasonal shedding. Keep your cat's fur smooth and fluffy

The basis for caring for a cat's fur during shedding is:

• Proper nutrition.

  In order for your cat's fur to maintain its ideal appearance, choose only quality feed premium. The composition of the feed must take into account individual characteristics animal: its age, needs, existing problems. A pet store consultant will help you choose the most suitable food to maintain the health of your cat's coat.

• The use of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the coat and increase the body's immunity.

  Modern manufacturers of vitamin-mineral complexes offer cat owners all kinds of products that solve various problems on different stages animal life. There are also special vitamins to solve problems associated with hair loss. Their use is especially important before the animal’s spring and autumn molting, although vitamins for fur will be useful for a cat at any time of the year.

• Regular brushing with special brushes and combs.

  The assortment of pet stores includes many products for caring for the coat of your beloved cats. According to the owners, the most effective “comber” is the furminator. This device doesn’t just comb out the cat’s loose hair, but removes hairs that are about to fall out. The pet does not experience any discomfort, and combing is more efficient.

By following these rules, you can significantly reduce the amount of hair loss in your cat. However, it is not always possible to reduce shedding using these methods. In some cases, the pet requires more serious help.

Hormonal disorders in cats. See a doctor urgently

Hormonal imbalances are characterized by localized hair loss. The cat develops bald spots on its back, belly, and tail. The skin in these areas turns red and peels. The animal becomes lethargic and apathetic, loses its appetite. At hormonal disorders cat needs special treatment, which writes out veterinarian after diagnosis.

Weakened immunity. The pet requires special care

Deterioration in the quality of the skin is typical for pets who have suffered serious illnesses and operations. In this case, cat hair loss is temporary. At proper care and with care, your pet's skin will recover and will delight you again.

Worms: dull and sticky fur will not take long to appear

Worms weaken the cat’s body from the inside: they disrupt metabolic processes, suppress the pet’s immunity, causing concomitant diseases. A cat's fur, like a litmus test, reflects its overall health.

Fleas: cause scratching, scabs and allergic dermatitis

A pet infested with fleas cannot be happy. An unbearable itch torments him day and night. Fleas feed on blood and make the cat itch by making tiny bites in the animal's skin.

When treating a cat, the owner will encounter the following difficulties:

• Choose and buy two different products;
• Spend a lot of time - the anthelmintic is applied no earlier than 7-10 days after using the insectoacaricidal agent;
• Encounter difficulties in use - often it is not easy for an animal to give medicine into the mouth.

Protection against internal parasites.

Taking care of the beauty of the coat is not only the owner’s desire to have an aesthetically attractive animal nearby, which is admired by family and friends. A pet's bright and shiny coat reflects its state of health, and increased attention to appearance is, first of all, due to the desire to prevent the occurrence of dangerous diseases.

Causes of dull hair in cats

In veterinary practice, there are often situations when a seemingly healthy animal’s coat becomes dull, hairs begin to break and fall out. In ideal cases, such symptoms are observed during periods of seasonal molting - autumn and spring. During the rest of the year, dull hair and increased hair loss are the first sign of impending diseases. The cause of the changes is metabolic disorders and a lack of vital microelements.

It is important to understand that dull fur is not an independent symptom, but acts as a kind of marker of the animal’s poor health.

Ways to solve the problem

Considering the multifactorial reasons why cats experience dullness and excessive hair loss, it is necessary to diagnose pathological changes Only a veterinarian should. Qualified health care will allow you to promptly identify disorders in the body and stop the disease by initial stage. Treatment is prescribed depending on the identified problem:

• at hormonal imbalance are being considered therapeutic regimens, aimed at stabilizing the background;
• a decrease in the body’s defenses is corrected by immunostimulating therapy;
• fungal skin infections require careful diagnostic measures and prescribing individual treatment regimens.

Plays an important role in maintaining the ideal condition of the coat. balanced diet. An optimally selected diet has the best effect on the health of the skin and the beauty of the coat, maintaining its healthy shine, preventing excessive hair loss and the formation of tangles. When choosing food, attention should be paid to its composition, which should contain vitamins B, E, zinc, alimentary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acid Omega-3 and Omega-6. Healthy ingredients fully meet the needs of cats nutrients and have a beneficial effect on general health animal.

Cosmetics against dull fur

Grooming, which includes brushing, massage, trimming, removing tangles and bathing, is of no small importance. During the procedures, dead undercoat and weak hairs are removed, the skin is massaged, which stimulates blood flow to the upper layers epidermis. Properly selected shampoos, conditioners and nourishing masks will help restore abundant hair growth and its structure, ensure skin hydration and regeneration. The cosmetic treatment for a cat's fur includes the following steps:

• bathing, aimed at cleansing from impurities, giving the coat shine and a more pronounced color;
• conditioning to make combing easier;
• haircut or hair correction.

If the tarnishing of the coat is not caused by internal problems, then the Royal Groom series will help to refresh the natural shade, give a healthy shine and silkiness. Cosmetical tools contain only natural color enhancers and are biologically active ingredients that help restore hair structure: provitamin B5, olive oil, aloe vera extract. For animals with light-colored hair, shampoo “” is suitable; the red and chocolate shade will sparkle with new facets after use detergent" ". Shampoo “” will help highlight the nuances of dark-colored fur.

When used regularly, tinting agents revitalize coat color, adding contrast and shine and highlighting natural beauty natural color.

The cat is a common animal that lives in many houses and apartments. When a pet is healthy, its well-groomed appearance pleases the eyes of the owner and household members. But sometimes the animal’s health fails and its appearance changes for the worse. For example, a cat may develop greasy hair, which many owners initially mistake for normal dirt. It is especially visible in furry animals. white with long hair.

To get rid of the problem, the owners are trying to buy out the mustachioed inhabitant of the home. This method really helps if the pet is simply dirty. But if after some time the hair becomes greasy again, this most often indicates oily hair (tail) syndrome.

Why does a cat's fur become oily?

The appearance of oily fur in domestic cat often due to the following reasons:

1. The animal may get dirty with something greasy, and in this case the owner simply has to bathe it;
2. Cat fur can be contaminated by children while playing with the animal (after all, kids love to cuddle, stroke and carry furry pets in their arms);
3. Disease causing increased activity perianal glands (in this case, the problem is due to the fact that the cat has oily hair on its tail, and the pet itself constantly rubs its butt against rough surfaces (for example, a carpet), trying to free the glands from accumulated secretions);
4. Violation of keratinization processes or oily seborrhea can become a provoking factor leading to increased greasiness of the coat.

In any case, if the owner notices that the cat’s fur seems to be greasy, he must find out the causes of the problem and take measures to eliminate them.

Features and symptoms of the disease

High greasiness of the coat is a disease that most often affects unneutered cats. True, it can also appear in pets that have been castrated, but much less frequently. The main cause of oily fur on a cat's back, tail, or other parts of a fluffy's body is a pathology called perianal gland hyperplasia. Sebaceous secretions accumulate on the skin in excess. From there it gets onto the animal's fur, severely polluting it.

The symptoms of greasy coat syndrome are as follows::

• Oily hair appears at the base of the cat's tail, back or sides;
• "coat" pet becomes dull, sticks together into tangles;
• on the pet’s skin a wax-like composition that has a brownish color and exudes a rancid odor;
• the skin in those areas where there is greasy hair becomes inflamed and red;
• often weakened and matted hair falls out;
• on a surface skin scabs appear;
• become inflamed hair follicles, and then many small pimples appear in their place.

If the disease progresses to chronic form, the area of ​​the body with damaged hair may become completely bald. The appearance of scabs on the skin leads to the unfortunate cat developing eczema.

Diagnostic measures

Only a veterinarian can accurately answer the question of why the cat’s fur has become fat and what to do to restore it. former beauty and healthy shine. Diagnosis of a suspected disease involves a preventive examination by a veterinarian. During this procedure, a specialist examines the pet and, if necessary, recommends passing appropriate tests. If, in addition to greasy fur, the cat's skin is flaky and itchy, or dandruff appears, he should also be shown to a dermatologist.

How to treat pathology?

Treatment high fat content The coat of cats is developed by a veterinarian and depends on what caused the pathology.

• Dirt. If a cat’s oily hair appears once, after contamination, then there is no need to treat the animal. The pet should only be washed well.
• Oily coat syndrome. In the case when the furry suffers from the syndrome of greasy fur and dry, irritated skin, the owner should take him to an appointment with a veterinarian. The specialist will prescribe a series of tests to determine the causes of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Vitamin deficiency. The first priority When a cat's fur is dull and greasy, his body becomes saturated with vitamins. The animal is prescribed a course of vitamin therapy, which helps normalize the functioning of the pet’s perianal and sebaceous glands. Good effect gives the drug Hokamix-30.
• Cleaning the glands. Treatment of fatty fur in cats also involves freeing the perianal glands from excess secretion. The procedure is performed by an experienced veterinarian who squeezes out the accumulated contents. If the glands are often inflamed, the specialist suggests surgical intervention for removing. As an option, you can consider periodically washing the glands under anesthesia (but this method is ultimately harmful internal organs cat).
• Improper keratinization or oily seborrhea. To eliminate the problem, it is advisable to use special shampoos such as Dermilena or Meladerm. Lactaderm shampoo also gives a good effect. It helps to temporarily cope with the problem of greasy fur in a cat, cleanse it of secretions and remove bad odors.

Cat hair represents the health of your pet. If it is smooth and shiny, then everything is fine with your pet. Conversely, dull fur with signs of increased oiliness signals that the mustachioed inhabitant of the house is sick. Probably, some kind of malfunction occurred in his body, and the animal needs the help of a veterinarian. The specialist will prescribe medication, and your pet will quickly recover and again delight its owners with a healthy appearance.