Cat shedding a lot of hair: normal or a sign of something?

Reading time 6 min · Level 1: Why the symptom appears

The short answer: Many cats shed a lot without anything being wrong. As long as the cat is lively, eats and drinks as usual, has a glossy coat and does not get bald patches or groom more than before, it is usually normal shedding. What should make you react is bald or thinning patches, itching, scabs, dandruff or a dull coat. The same goes for a cat that is also losing weight or drinking more. Then it is up to the vet to find the cause. Otherwise daily brushing is what makes the biggest difference, both for the sofa and for hairballs.

Normal shedding or hair loss?

A cat's coat is renewed all the time. Each hair grows, rests and falls out to make room for a new one. Many cats shed more during certain periods, often at the change of seasons. Some long-haired cats seem to shed all year round. FirstVet describes it as very common and usually completely normal¹⁶.

Hair loss is something else. The hairs are not replaced, or the cat licks them off. The coat becomes thin or gets bald patches. AniCura describes the typical signs: bald patches on the belly, in the armpits or on the inside of the legs, thin and patchy fur on the back and flanks, and fur that grows back slowly after being shaved².

Six common causes of unusually heavy hair loss

1. Itching. The main reason a cat licks its fur away is that it itches². Cats often do not scratch visibly. They lick instead, often when nobody is watching, and their tongue works like sandpaper that breaks the hairs. What you see is thinning patches and more hair, not a cat that scratches.

2. Parasites. Fleas, lice, ear mites and mange mites cause itching and hair loss². A cat allergic to flea saliva can react strongly to just a few bites. Comb through the fur over a sheet of white paper and look for black specks that turn reddish brown when wet.

3. Allergy. To something in the food, the environment or flea saliva². In a study of 21 cats referred to specialists for suspected stress-related hair loss, a medical cause of itching was found in 16. Food allergy was the most common and was diagnosed in 12 of the cats. Only 2 had a purely behavioural problem³. The researchers concluded that stress is often blamed too early.

4. Infections, especially ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin and coat. It is important to know about because it spreads between animals and can spread to people⁵. It often causes irregular, thinning patches, sometimes with scaling. Bacteria, yeast and follicle mites can also cause hair loss².

5. Pain. Cats commonly develop bald patches where they hurt. Bladder problems can cause a bald belly. A painful joint can cause a bald patch over the joint². If the cat also urinates often or limps, that points in this direction.

6. Illness, stress and strain. Diabetes, thyroid disease and tumours can cause hair loss. Stress and poor nutritional status can make a cat shed more². After a serious illness, surgery, pregnancy or a period of poor appetite, many hair follicles can enter the resting phase at the same time. The coat is then shed one to three months later, so the cat suddenly becomes thin-coated long after whatever triggered it².

Hairballs

A cat that sheds a lot swallows a lot of hair when grooming. Some of it comes back up as hairballs. Many people see this as normal cat behaviour. A review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery notes that it is unclear whether it ever is. According to the author, frequent hairballs in a short-haired cat usually indicate something that makes the cat swallow more hair or affects gut movement. Itching, fleas and dietary intolerance are named as common contributing factors⁴. If your cat often vomits hairballs, it is a reason to ask your vet, not just to buy malt paste.

When to see the vet

Soon if the cat has sores, scabs or redness, if several animals in the household develop patches, or if anyone in the family gets round, scaly rashes. Ringworm is contagious and needs treatment by your vet, both on the cat and in the home⁵. The same applies if the cat limps, urinates often or seems to be in pain.

Book an appointment if the hair loss spreads or does not resolve within a couple of weeks², if the coat has become dull or flaky, or if the cat is also losing weight, drinking more water or has diarrhoea⁶. The vet examines the skin, often takes skin and hair samples and sometimes blood tests for blood sugar and thyroid hormone in older cats².

What you can do yourself

Brush daily. It is the most effective way to reduce shedding in a healthy cat¹. Every hair you brush out is one that does not end up on the sofa or in the cat's stomach. Start with short sessions and stop before the cat gets bored. Be careful with undercoat tools on a thin cat coat.

Treat for fleas if needed. If you have found fleas, or suspect them, all animals in the household are affected. Ask your vet or pharmacy for a suitable product.

Change one thing at a time. If you change food, litter and cleaning products in the same week, you will never know what made the difference. Note where the patches are and take a photo every week.

Consider stress, but last. Moving house, new animals or building work can affect a cat. But since stress is often blamed too early, itching and pain should be ruled out first³.

Bathe when needed. Most cats keep their coat clean themselves. Long-haired, older or overweight cats that can no longer reach their whole body may benefit from an occasional bath. Use a mild shampoo made for animals, rinse thoroughly and dry the cat well.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for my cat to shed so much?

Usually, yes. If the cat is lively, eats and drinks as usual, has a glossy coat and does not get bald patches or groom more than usual, it is probably normal shedding¹.

Can a cat lose fur from stress?

Yes, but less often than people think. When cats with suspected stress-related hair loss were properly investigated, most had a medical cause of itching, most often food allergy³. Let your vet rule that out first.

Does better food help with shedding?

A complete and balanced diet is the foundation of a healthy coat. Poor nutritional status can lead to more shedding². If your cat already eats a good complete food, brushing usually makes the biggest difference.

Why is my cat shedding more after surgery?

Strain such as surgery, serious illness or pregnancy can make many hair follicles rest at the same time. The coat is shed one to three months later. In a cat that has been ill or run down, it can take a while to grow back².

That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own pet, email us at info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.