Some cats are sensitive to the ingredients in spot-on flea treatments, resulting in skin problems and hair loss. The spot between the shoulder blades is a good area to apply these treatments, as your cat can't easily reach it to lick off the medication.
Why do cats pull out their hair when they have fleas?
Fleas can bite and irritate any cat, but some cats have a hypersensitivity to antigens within the flea saliva. These allergic cats get miserably itchy if they encounter fleas — and many of them will over-groom as a way of scratching the itch. The hair doesn’t just fall out; the cats actually lick it so much that they pull their hair out.
Can flea treatment cause hair loss in cats?
Flea Bite Baldness As if going bald from the medication used to prevent fleas isn't bad enough, your cat could lose hair because of the little bloodsucking freeloaders themselves. Flea bites trigger an allergic reaction in some cats, resulting in irritated skin and hair loss.
Why does my Cat Go Crazy after flea treatment?
So, if your cat goes a little crazy after the flea treatment, it’s probably still startling from the procedure itself. In time, it will calm down and behave the same as usual. It’s not uncommon for a cat to have fleas and suffer from another condition at the same time.
Why is my cat losing hair?
In summary, the most common causes of hair loss in cats are as follows: Environmental things such as dust, grass, pollen, trees, cotton, or wool, or things in food like chicken, or insect bites. It’s actually very common for cats to be allergic to flea bites!
Is flea medicine toxic to cats?
Can I use flea treatment on cats?
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Can cats lose hair from flea treatment?
Pet Medications Topically applied flea medications can cause hair loss at the application area. Injected vaccines may result in hair loss at the injection site and further widespread hair loss later.
Why has my cat got a bald patch after flea treatment?
By far the most common cause of a bald patch on your cat's fur is fleas or other external parasites. This is especially common on your cat's lower back and tail. Hair loss usually occurs when your cat has an allergic reaction to the fleas saliva causing them to overgroom.
Will my cat's hair grow back after flea treatment?
It is growing back. Some flea medications will cause a bare spot where it is applied, because the liquid causes the hairs to stiffen and break off. As long as the skin appears healthy, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Can Frontline cause fur loss?
Side Effects of Frontline Plus Hair loss or thinning hair is the second most common side effect of using Frontline Plus. Generally, this will occur right around the area where you administered the treatment. Over time, the hair will eventually grow back.
How long does it take for cat fur to grow back after fleas?
fleas. it took about 2 weeks to get new fur back and a month for full length if not longer.
Should I be concerned if my cat is losing hair?
So, if you notice hair loss in your cat, it is definitely worth a trip to the doctor.” These are six of the most common conditions behind a cat losing hair. Note that this isn't an exhaustive list, as alopecia in cats is a broad condition with many potential factors.
Why won't my cats fur grow back?
Some pets are so afflicted their hair may not re-grow for 12-16 months — if ever. In these cases (I usually jump into it after a couple of months if the owner is concerned), there may be something truly wrong with the animal. Hormone (endocrine) related alopecia is a complicating factor in many of these cases.
Can flea shampoo cause baldness?
Hair Loss. Some owners have reported that pets lose some or all hair after an application of Hartz flea and tick shampoo. Many of these animals experienced itchiness before the hair loss occurred.
What are the side effects of Frontline for cats?
Side effects may include signs of skin irritation such as redness, scratching, or other signs of discomfort. Gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea have also been reported. If these or other side effects occur, consult your veterinarian or call 1-800-660-1842, M-F 8am-8pm EST.
What happens if you put too much flea medicine on a cat?
Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.
Why do cats act weird after flea medicine?
If your flea already has a flea infestation, then they might be acting irritable or annoyed because of the fleas. It might take a little time for the treatment to become effective. Another reason your cat might be acting weird is that you have had to take them to the veterinarian.
Can a cat be allergic to Frontline?
Allergies. Some cats are allergic to Frontline and Frontline Plus. If Kitty develops hives or a rash after application, or if any sort of swelling is present, call your vet immediately. In a worst-case scenario, an allergic cat can go into anaphylactic shock and die if not treated at once.
Why is my cat getting bald spots?
Bald spots in cats are most commonly due to the cat excessively scratching or licking the area. They commonly do this because they’re itchy due to...
How can I treat my cat’s hair loss?
Treatment for hair loss is based on addressing the underlying cause. Common causes include allergies, fleas or mites, fungal infection (Ringworm),...
What does it mean when my cat is losing hair?
It’s almost never normal for cats to lose hair and have bald spots. Many diseases can cause hair loss and common ones are allergies, fleas and mite...
Is flea medicine toxic to cats?
Many of the flea treatments are a neurological poison for the flea. Supposedly the poisons are not as toxic to the cat/dog because of the substances and the dosage level. However, tolerances do vary, so some cats do get the hyperactivity.
Can I use flea treatment on cats?
Yes, the last time I used a flea treatment on my cats they were very freaked out for a while. I had used the same treatment (I think it was Advantage) prior to that with no ill effects.
Why does my cat's hair not grow back?
Outside of the thyroid, if cats have a hormonal imbalance and an increased level of steroids in the body , the hair follicles may die; and with abnormal hormone levels, new hair may not grow back. For instance, Cushing’s disease, a metabolic disorder that produces too much cortisol, may cause alopecia in cats. 5.
Why does my cat lick his hair?
Sometimes, a cat may engage in compulsive grooming because of neuropathic pain from nerve damage in the skin. In rare cases, a cat may groom too much and lose hair for psychogenic reasons, like anxiety after a stressful event; but, it’s more likely that cats licking off their hair are itching from flea allergy, Dr. Bateman says.
What causes alopecia in cats?
1. Allergies — Particularly to Fleas — and Itching and Over-grooming. An example of G.G.’s hair loss due to a flea allergy.
What does it mean when a cat has alopecia?
The rest of the cat population, which is born with normal fur, gets acquired alopecia — which is a symptom of a disease or condition, and not a disease itself . The veterinarian will diagnose the underlying condition, Dr. Bateman says.
Why does my cat's skin itch?
Mange, scabies and lice also can make a cat’s skin itch — leading to the same over-grooming and a cat losing hair. Mites, food allergies and environmental allergies also can cause itching and over-grooming. 2. Pain.
Is declawing a barbaric thing?
Declawing is barbaric. I have many scratch posts. On top of that, it should be a hygienic rule to cover the sofas with a cotton bedspread or cover because germs/fungus can grow & thus you resolve many matters with keeping the sofas covered. My kitty developed an ear fungus by constantly sleeping in one spot.
Can a sphynx cat grow hair?
For example, Sphynx cats are born without hair and never grow any. Another type of normal hair loss is pinnal alopecia – hair loss on the outside of the ear pinnae — which is common in Siamese cats but usually resolves on its own. Many adult cats also experience preauricular alopecia — thinning of fur on the skin strip between the ears and ...
Why does my cat react to flea serum?
Other times, your cat might simply have an adverse reaction to the serum because of a weak immune system. You might be the one at fault, as well; if pet owners use dog flea medicine on cats, or adult cat medicine on kittens, their pets are likely to behave erratically after their treatment.
How to treat a cat with fleas?
How to Perform the Treatment. Deworming and anti-flea treatments are crucial for your cat’s safety. Administering them is a bit uncomfortable for the cat, however. You have to take a pipette and apply the anti-flea serum onto the nape of your cat’s neck. The process is rather simple:
What do fleas eat?
For instance, flea larvae tend to feed on tapeworm proglottids. Each proglottid stays inside of the larva during the pupal stage. Once a cat ingests the pupa, the tapeworm can manifest inside the cat and continue its life cycle.
Why does my cat change his behavior?
A change in your cat’s behavior always causes concern. Your cat’s changing behavior may result from illness, injury, pain, stress, or fear, but before you can bring your cat comfort, you must get...
What is a flea?
Fleas are external parasites. They attach themselves onto the body of a host, usually a mammal, and bite their flesh. Most often, a flea will simply jump up from its natural habitat and attach itself to the host. However, animals (as well as humans) can also pick up larvae while walking through tall grass or wooded areas. The larvae will then develop on the host’s body until they mature into adult fleas.
Can cats get flea spray?
When you apply them onto the fur, the cat can ingest them by accident and get flea treatment poisoning. In fact, it doesn’t even have to do it consciously. For example, if I were to get an anti-flea spray, I could accidentally spritz some of it into my pet’s mouth. And it doesn’t end with ingesting the product, either.
Can you use anti-flea serum on a kitten?
But taking care of a cat is not always the same as taking care of a kitten. Kittens are delicate and frail compared to adult cats. They are still developing, so you can’t use any adult products on them. Even a regular dose of an adult cat anti-flea serum could harm the kitten by poisoning it.
Why does my cat lose hair after flea bites?
As if going bald from the medication used to prevent fleas isn't bad enough, your cat could lose hair because of the little bloodsucking freeloaders themselves. Flea bites trigger an allergic reaction in some cats, resulting in irritated skin and hair loss.
How long does it take for a cat to regrow hair?
Many owners report a subsequent bald spot after treatment, but say their kitties usually regrow hair in a few weeks.
Why does my cat scratch his shoulder?
The spot between his shoulder blades is a great hiding spot for fleas, because your cat can't reach that area easily to get rid of the little buggers. So the fleas could retreat there and party with little threat of eviction. The skin typically looks crusty and raw as your cat scratches like a kitty possessed.
How to tell if a cat is healthy?
A cat's coat is an outward indicator of his underlying health, so the nicer the coat the healthier the cat. Take a close look at your kitty and see if the rest of his hair is thinning or if there are any other bald spots over his body. Medical conditions such as ringworm, tumors and hormonal imbalance can cause his hair to fall out easily, and that spot between his shoulder blades could just be the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Check for scaly, red or irritated skin or other signs that your cat isn't feeling well such as changes in appetite, behavior or litter-box usage.
Can fleas be sent to the Great Beyond?
The chemical cocktail that sends fleas to the Great Beyond could have an adverse effect on your cat at the same time. Some cats are sensitive to the ingredients in spot-on flea treatments, resulting in skin problems and hair loss.
How long does flea gel take to dry?
Let the formula dry for a full 30 minutes before allowing your mischievous chum to groom himself or before letting him come into contact with other animals in your home.
How to get flea medicine off Toby's neck?
While Toby is getting a massage, grab a rag, then go ahead and break the seal of the tube of flea medication. You’ll squeeze the tube onto the skin on the back of Toby’s neck – an area he can’t reach to lick off the medication. Part his fur until you see his skin, which can be tricky if he has long tresses. Place the open tip directly on Toby’s ...
Can you put flea gel on Toby's neck?
But if the flea medication gets onto Toby’s hair on the back of his neck, he probably won’t be able to get to it. Just to be safe, take the rag and rub in any flea gel glistening on his fur. That way the formula can get closer to his skin to protect him from any crawling critters.
Can flea medicine cause vomiting?
If you leave wet flea product on Toby’s coat and she ingests it, or if another fur-covered family member pounces over and licks it off, severe complications can potentially result. Each type of formulation has its own warnings but, in general, ingesting even a small dab of flea medicine could lead to severe vomiting and drooling. In some cases, swallowing flea products can cause your feline to have tremors and no desire to eat. If you notice Toby isn’t acting like himself after you've applied the product, take your fur ball to the emergency clinic right away as a precautionary measure.
Why does my cat act weird after flea treatment?
Other reasons your cat acts weird after flea treatment. While poisoning is the most worrying reason your cat might act weird after flea treatment, it is not the only one. If your flea already has a flea infestation, then they might be acting irritable or annoyed because of the fleas.
Why do cats put flea treatment on their neck?
This is why flea treatment is applied using a pipette on the nape of the neck. Prepackaged pipettes control the dosage and the placement prevents the cat from ingesting the toxic chemicals. While deworming and flea treatment is relatively very safe, you may wonder why your cat is acting weird after flea treatment.
What diseases can fleas cause?
There are many other possible diseases which can be caused by flea infestation. A report from 2017 even claims that “the prevalence of flea-borne diseases has been greatly underestimated by health practitioners and agencies” [2]. The same report reveals some of these diseases which include: 1 Rickettesial disease (caused by the bacteria Rickettesia) 2 Bartonellosis 3 Plague 4 Tapeworms 5 Flea allergic dermatitis 6 Feline leukemia virus (FLV) 7 Calicivirus
How do you know if your cat has flea poisoning?
They will show signs of irritation which may include vocalizations and even slight aggression. However, these behaviors should stop eventually once they have calmed down. This is why it is very important to know the symptoms of flea treatment poisoning in cats.
How does anti-flea poisoning occur in cats?
How does anti-flea treatment poisoning occur in cats. The contents of the anti-flea treatment pipette are absorbed into the skin. Intoxication can occur when the components are too strong for the individual cat's system. Perhaps they have a weakened immune system or are an otherwise vulnerable cat.
How do fleas pass on to cats?
Fleas are an external parasite and pass on to the feline host by attaching themselves to their coat. This occurs either by an adult flea jumping on to the coat of the cat from another animal or person, or by the larvae developing in the environment and attaching themselves to the cat.
How long does a cat's hair stay in a pipette?
Most applicators will come in a prepackaged pipette which gives your cat enough protection for a certain amount of time, usually around 3 to 6 months. The hair is parted at the back of the cats neck and the contents are squeezed out. The area is then gently massaged into this part of the cat.
Is flea medicine toxic to cats?
Many of the flea treatments are a neurological poison for the flea. Supposedly the poisons are not as toxic to the cat/dog because of the substances and the dosage level. However, tolerances do vary, so some cats do get the hyperactivity.
Can I use flea treatment on cats?
Yes, the last time I used a flea treatment on my cats they were very freaked out for a while. I had used the same treatment (I think it was Advantage) prior to that with no ill effects.