'Bad Hair Days' - Skin & Coat Problems in Cats (Part II)

By Jean Hofve, DVM

In Part I of "Bad Hair Days," we considered the major external causes of hair loss (alopecia). As we mentioned, a veterinary visit is the first step in solving "bad hair" problems. Along with parasites, the veterinarian will also consider other potential causes of hair loss. Certain patterns, such as symmetrical hair loss along the sides, may point to an endocrine disorder; i.e., a problem with one of the hormone-secreting glands, such as the adrenals.

Contact allergies, while extremely rare, are possible. A new carpet, cedar bed, or different detergent used to launder the cat's bedding can cause a local allergic reaction that causes the cat to lick at the itchy area. Hair loss and rash will occur in the areas where the cat most frequently comes into contact with the material, such as feet and tummy.

Localized pain may also cause the cat to lick an area excessively. A brewing abscess is painful, and will inspire a lot of licking before it opens and drains. Hair loss over joints may indicate arthritis pain. I once examined a cat who had suddenly started licking at one particular spot on her right side. As I mulled over which organs were in that part of the abdomen, I became suspicious and did some tests. It turned out she had acute pancreatitis, which we successfully treated before it became a full-blown, life-threatening problem.

Once parasites and medical problems have been ruled out, there are still two major players to consider. The first is diet. Food intolerances or allergies may show up first in the skin, causing tiny red crusty sores that spread or coalesce as the cat rubs or scratches at them. Lesions around the face and ears are typically seen with food allergies. Allergies to inhaled substances, such as dust mites or pollen, produce identical signs. A diet trial, skin or blood test, or trial treatment with antihistamines or anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to assess the cat for allergies. (See our article on Food Allergies in Cats for more info.)

The skin and coat are also the first to suffer when the diet is inadequate in certain nutrients. Cats on all-dry, "light," or "low-fat" diets may develop dry, flaky skin, and the coat may be dull or greasy feeling. The skin may be irritated and the coat may become thin because hair is falling out.
Supplementation with essential fatty acids and/or Vitamin E may provide a great deal of relief. Omega 3 fatty acids, in particular, found in fish oil (not cod liver oil) and ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil will help calm underlying inflammation, and condition the skin and fur. Omega 6 oils, such as evening primrose, borage, or hemp oils, as well as common cooking oils like safflower and sunflower oils, are also important. There are a number of good products for animals, such as Nordic Naturals Pet Omega 3 or Cod Liver Oil, and Celestial Pets' EFA Oil, that can provide the essential fatty acids needed for healthy skin and fur.
Many cat lovers have also found that homemade and raw diets, which eliminate the colorings, preservatives and other additives found in commercial cat foods, has done the trick. Simply getting rid of the dry food in favor of any wet food, such as canned, is the ticket in many cases.

The last big category is lumped under the phrase "psychogenic alopecia" — the cat is pulling or chewing his fur because of psychological factors such as nervousness, anxiety, fear, or other emotional causes. Basically, this boils down to "stress" being the causative factor. Cats are very sensitive, and thrive best on steady routines. Virtually anything can be a stressor to a cat: a new couch, a person in the household working different hours, moving, repairs and remodeling, the addition (or subtraction) of a roommate, a new baby, another cat or pet, a party or guests in the house, or even a change in the weather.
For cats, grooming is a "comfort" behavior, and is often used to make themselves feel more relaxed or to relieve stress. Who hasn't seen their cat do something foolish or klutzy, like fall into the tub, misjudge a leap, or roll off the sofa? We laugh, but the cat immediately grooms. While whether or not the cat actually feels embarrassed is debatable, every cat person will recognize this typical reflexive behavior in the face of uncertainty or surprise.

It follows that if a cat is chronically stressed, she may turn to excessive grooming as a means of dispelling her anxiety. Some veterinary behaviorists are now starting to talk about "obsessive-compulsive disorders" in cats, something that was previously limited to neurotic people. And some of the conventional treatments are the same — antidepressants like Elavil, and other drugs that modify brain chemistry, such as Buspar or  Prozac.

However, if you'd rather avoid drugs for your kitty, you'll be glad to know that psychogenic alopecia is one disorder that responds particularly well to a variety of alternative therapies.
Some herbs have mild sedating or calming effects. There are combinations made especially for animals. "Easy Does It" by Tasha's Herbs, "Nu-Pet Happy Traveler" by Ark Naturals, and "Tranquility Blend" Animal's Apawthecary, all contain cat-safe herbs. These would be appropriate to use if you know what the stressor is, and can dose the cat appropriately whenever the stress will occur. For instance, if your cat gets upset when he's left alone, you would give him the herbs right before you leave for work or school.

Homeopathy can also be very beneficial in treating psychogenic alopecia. Dr. Goodpet's homeopathic combination remedy "Calm Stress" is an excellent choice. (Dr. Goodpet also produces "Scratch Free" and "Flea Relief" for treatment and relief of itching and irritation due to fleas, allergies, mites, etc., and can be used while these other conditions are being treated with other means.)
One of the best and simplest modalities for treating stressed-out cats is flower essence therapy. Flower essences, also called flower remedies, are prepared from the flowering parts of certain plants. They are similar to aromatherapy or homeopathy in that they work on the "energetic" field of the emotions rather than physically. They are completely safe and will not interfere with any other treatment, whether conventional or alternative. Spirit Essences makes several formulas that for cats with skin and coat problems:

• Skin Soother is designed for itchy cats, including those with parasite challenges and allergies.
• Obsession Remedy is especially good for cats with stress-related or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
• Ultimate Skin Soother is a 3-remedy set that includes Skin Soother, Obsession Remedy, and Stress Stopper (Spirit Essences' "extreme" version of Rescue/5-Flower Remedy).

Alopecia is a  sign that something's wrong, and it's often uncomfortable for the cat. While it's not always easy to find out why your cat is pulling out her hair, it's very important to get to the bottom of it, and to treat it appropriately.