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What are the causes of patchy hair loss on a kitten?
Patchy hair loss on a kitten can be mainly attributed to three reasons. The first is skin diseases, common diseases include ringworm, pyoderma, and ear mites infections. The second is massive hair loss caused by malnutrition, where the cat's hair not only falls out easily but also becomes dry and lacks luster. The third is seasonal hair loss, which usually occurs during the spring and autumn seasons. This is a normal physiological phenomenon that occurs to allow the cat to better adapt to the changing seasons.
- Skin Diseases
If the kitten has patchy hair loss accompanied by itching, crusting, and dandruff, it is suspected to be caused by skin diseases, such as ringworm, pyoderma, and ear mites infections. It is recommended that the owner timely take the kitten to a pet hospital for a skin scraping examination and use medication accordingly after confirming the type of infection. It is also important to note that many fungi and bacteria exist in the cat's normal living environment, so the cat's resistance should be enhanced during the treatment.
- Malnutrition
If the cat has a long-term单一component diet, it can lead to malnutrition and hair loss. The owner should promptly adjust the cat's diet structure, choose food rich in nutrients, and use lecithin or fish oil to further supplement the skin's fatty acids. The owner can also comb the cat's hair at home to reduce hair loss.
- Seasonal Moulting
Since cats are seasonal moulters, they will also experience massive hair loss during the spring and autumn seasons. This is a normal seasonal moult, and the owner does not need to worry too much. They can help the cat comb off the floating hair and feed them hair removal paste to help the cat remove excess old hair and accelerate the moulting process.