Cat Losing Hair at Base of Tail 

Hair loss in cats can be complete or partial. It can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, and it can affect not just the base of the tail but also the belly, legs and back. Yes, seeing your feline friend losing clusters of fur is heartbreaking. Therefore, it’s rational to ask why your little furball is losing so much hair – especially at the base of the tail.

Read on to learn why your cat is losing fur at the base of the tail and how you can treat it:

Why Your Cat is Balding at the Base of Tail?

Let’s start with the causes of this problem. Other than rubbing and biting its tail, there are numerous reasons you need to be aware of. Here are some of the most common reasons for hair loss in cats:

Anxiety and Stress

Just like humans, cats also suffer from anxiety and stress. These disorders are associated with the thyroid and hormonal problems that can trigger psychogenic alopecia. There are several reasons that can cause anxiety and stress in cats, including:

• Change in Surrounding
• Unwelcomed Visitors
• Barking of Dogs

Psychogenic Alopecia

Psychogenic alopecia is a disorder in which your feline friend starts to groom itself obsessively. If your cat starts excessive licking and biting on its tail, it’s a possibility he/she will surely lose hair at the base of the tail. Psychogenic alopecia is usually triggered by boredom, anxiety and stress and affects your cat’s abdomen, spinal skin, tail and rear legs.

Cancer

In general, cats diagnosed with skin cancer also suffer from alopecia. Although skin cancer is not that common in young kitties, it can still affect your feline friend. Skin cancer in cats usually occurs with other symptoms, including pain and alteration of skin color.

Ringworm

Fungal infections can lead to hair loss at the base of your cat’s tail. Ringworm is one of the most common fungal infections in cats. If your cat is losing hair that looks like a circle and is not caused by itching or rubbing, you should contact your vet immediately.

Parasite Infestations

Parasites, such as lice, mites, and fleas, can also cause alopecia in cats. When these parasites select your feline as a host, your cat will surely bite or scratch its tail and will probably lose the clumps of its hair. 

Allergies

Cats also lose their hair due to allergic reactions. Just like humans, some cats are allergic to different substances and food ingredients. If you offer your feline allergic food, it might start vomiting and even diarrhea. In contrast, if it’s a substance allergy, your cat will bite its tail and pull out its precious hair. 

Stud Tail

Stud tail is also a common cause of hair loss at the base of a cat’s tail. Usually, this condition occurs in male cats or those with deprived hygiene. Stud tail occurs because of the dysfunction and causes missing hair, foul smell and blackheads in cats.

Other Reasons

Numerous other reasons cause hair loss in cats, such as:

• Bad Grooming Habit
• Cushing’s Disease
• Rubbing Erected Tail
• Drugs And Medicines
• Inherited Alopecia
• Poor Diet

Symptoms and Signs to Expect

What should you expect for hair loss at the base of your cat’s tail? Well, there are the following symptoms and signs that might accompany this problem:

• Flaky And Dry Skin
• Sneezing
• Scratching, Chewing, Licking the Affected Area
• Increased Thirst
• Bleeding In Tail
• Tiny Red Dots
• Foul Smell
• Lethargy
• Weight Loss or Weight Gain
• Greasy Tail
• Biting
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Swollen Skin
• Total or Partial Hair Loss

Cat Losing Hair at the Base of Tail – Treatment

Now that you know the causes and symptoms of hair loss in cats, the real question is how it can be treated? Well, first of all, try to contact your veterinarian and follow his instruction. However, if you are unable to contact your vet, follow these treatments:

Short Hair

If your cat is losing its hair due to an infection, you might need to cut its hair short. Short hairs will allow you to examine the symptoms more clearly. Plus, this approach will also boost the application of current medications.

Proper Grooming

As you can see, the most common reason for hair loss in cats is due to alopecia or excessive grooming. So, if you want to protect the precious fur of your little furball, you must offer proper grooming. Don’t use extra oil on your cat’s tail, and wash your feline regularly. This will reduce the chances of infection and parasites.

Modification In Diet

A little alteration in your cat’s diet is also recommended. Suppose your cat is allergic to a food ingredient, don’t feed them dishes that contain that certain ingredient. Plus, if your feline is suffering from alopecia, offer it a vitamin-rich diet.

It’s worth taking into note that you should never change your cat’s diet on your own. Always contact your vet before adding an ingredient to your cat’s diet. 

Medication

This one is the last resort. You should take this approach with your vet’s permission. If your feline is missing its hair due to irritants and allergies, you can offer certain ingredients to control it, such as salicylic acids, steroids, and antihistamines. 

If skin infections cause hair loss, the antibiotics will be effective. However, for fungal and bacterial infections, antibacterial and antifungals would be useful.

Luckily, there are numerous products available out there that can protect your feline from parasites. For instance, in the case of fleas, you can offer your feline flea medications such as selamectin and fipronil.

Final Verdict

There are several reasons why your cat is losing hair at the base of the tail. One of the most common reasons is alopecia or excessive grooming. Besides alopecia, your cat might be suffering from skin cancer, stress, anxiety and more.

So, if you want to protect your cat’s precious fur, contact your vet and follow his instructions. You can also offer proper grooming to avoid infections and hair loss in cats.