Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 12/26/2005

Question
Hi, I have a 6 year old, long haired male cat, Hades.  He has been losing the hair on the inside of his hind legs now for a couple of months.  Hades is a laid back, big boy.  He's happy and healthy, no problems petting him or playing with him.  Eats/drinks as normal.  His sleep pattern hasn't changed.  Hades is not showing any abnormal licking habits, not fevering, or showing any signs of a cold.  No fleas.  He just acts like himself, just that he's losing hair on the inside of his hind legs.  He eats 9-Lives dry food and once in a while I will give him some 9-lives canned food.  I have 5 other cats inside (one is his sister) and none of them are losing their hair.  I've always had cats and I've never experienced my cats losing their hair.  Do you know what may be causing this hair loss?

Answer
If you look carefully at the bald spots, you will probably see some hair stubble.  This is very commonly the place where cats do lick and bite on their skin when it itches.  You will not see this because they do it very privately.  Ask your vet to check these areas.  If it is itchy skin, that can be remedied with a shot of a long acting steroid.