Cats are beautiful creatures with individualized coats of fur that make them distinct from one another.
But when a cat loses fur, they are not happy at all.
The causes of fur loss are many, and there are different reasons for partial fur loss and full fur loss.
One such cause is something called Alopecia. Alopecia causes fur on cats to fall off completely, which can be the result of a hormonal imbalance.
An allergy can cause your cat to lose patches of fur due to sores and rashes that develop on the skin.
Sometimes your cat might pull out their own fur due to itching caused by fleas, or again, allergies.
Sometimes a stressful event can also cause fur loss, which can manifest in your cat excessively grooming themselves, or just the stress itself can cause the fur to fall out.
Whatever the reason, both you and your cat want to get their coats back to normal – here’s how long you can expect it to take.
Related – More on cat grooming and the pros of giving your cat a lion cut.
Does Shaving a Cat Ruin Its Fur?
Shaving a cat is always a tough decision, as a shaved kitty is very rarely a happy kitty. However, there are some valid reasons for shaving your cat’s fur.
If your cat has very long fur that mats and tangles often, then shaving them can offer some relief and the knotting and matting can cause pain and discomfort for them.
If your cat is coughing up excessive hairballs or fur balls, and they are struggling to deal with them then shaving your cat can alleviate the source of the issue.
This can affect their health if you are not able to treat the condition with regular brushing and a diet change that supports the passing of fur balls.
The answer as to whether shaving your cat can ruin its fur is that it depends on how often you are shaving them, and how close to the skin you are shaving them.
Each cat will have a different reaction response to being shaved, so you will have to try a few different lengths while you figure out what is best for your cat.
Shaving your cat’s fur will not do permanent damage though, it will grow back,
How Can I Make My Cat’s Hair Grow Back Faster?
Assuming that your cat’s fur needs to grow back for other issues other than being shaved, you have to treat the illness, allergy, or behavioral problem before their fur can grow back.
If your cat is having an allergic reaction then the quickest and easiest change that you can make is to their food.
There is a wide range of products available that can help with allergies and fur loss, including foods and supplements.
Sometimes your cat can have a far more serious ailment, so you must always check in with your vet if you think that there is something to be concerned about.
If your cat is scratching a lot then they could simply have a flea problem.
Fleas are much harder to see on cats than they are on dogs, so check them for fleas if they are scratching and biting their fur out in tufts.
If your cat is not showing any signs of their fur growing back then you can look at some treatments that you can apply to their skin, and give them supplements that can promote fur growth.
Do Cat Bald Spots Grow Back?
If your cat is not actively pulling out fur from their coats then yes, their fur will grow back within a few weeks.
If their fur loss is due to fleas, ticks, or mites, then they must be removed before the fur will grow back.
Once the source of the issue has been taken care of then the hair will grow back without much effort.
You just need to monitor your cat and make sure that they are not obsessively licking and preening the spot.
Why Won’t My Cat’s Fur Grow Back?
If your cat is not showing any signs of fur regrowth then you may be dealing with something far more serious than simply stress or fleas.
Earlier we mentioned that hormones could be an issue with hair loss in cats, and if the fur on your cat is not growing back after a few months to a year, then you might be dealing with something like alopecia.
Why Is My Cat Missing a Patch of Hair?
One of the easiest ways to determine your cat’s hair loss is by looking at the area where they are missing it.
One of the most common places for cats to lose fur is an area where they can reach with their mouths.
In most cases, this is on the cat’s back towards the beginning of their tail.
In these instances, it is usually due to fleas and other parasites like the ones we mentioned earlier.
There are tons of tick and flea solutions available for you, ranging from oral treatments like a pill, and more topical solutions like a flea spray.
Related – A look at how long after being spayed a cat will calm down.
In Conclusion
We know that cats look a little awkward and embarrassed when they don’t have all of their fur, and in winter this can be more than just a style faux pas.
It is completely normal for your cat to lose their fur when they are stressed out, or one of the conditions that we have mentioned above happens to afflict them.
All you need to do is make sure that you understand the cause of the hair loss on your cat, and then follow the right course of action.
If there is a health aspect that might be serious, then your vet will be able to give you a proper diagnosis.
The main ingredient in hair regrowth is time, so be patient and monitor your cat’s health, and their fur is sure to grow back in no time.
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Image credits – Photo by Reba Spike on Unsplash
I accidentally let the collar get too tight for one of the cats, & I had to cut it off, & I felt REALLY BAD about it. That was at least 5+ years ago, & his for still hasn’t grown back where the collar was! Is there anything I can do to help it come back?
Best Regards,
Cheryl Heinzle