Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

Before you suggest that it might be ringworm or a sore/scratch/etc, please read the entire question.

I picked my 2 year old indoor/outdoor DSH up 2 weeks ago and noticed two prickly spots on her hind end. I turned her around and saw that she was missing hair in the prickly spots (I was feeling stubble). I KNOW that the spots weren't there the day before because I would have noticed them. She is a very fluffy cat and the spots are noticeable even from a distance, so one of the three of us living in the house would have seen the spots before that day.

I took a closer look at them and it looked like she had been hit with a dull razor. There is stubble there, so I don't think it's because she is licking too much right there. I don't even think she could reach that part of her tail with her tongue.

There are no scabs. No sores. No scratches. No lesions. Just short, stubbly hair. And it seems like she got another of these spots on her tail last week. Any ideas?

Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

Even though your kitty's skin appears to be healthy and normal, the most common cause for hair loss in cats is either they itch or something is bothering them emotionally. Parasites or allergies are the two common external causes for itching. Although fleas are easy to see, in a sensitive cat just one fleabite can precipitate a hypersensitivity reaction and itching. Also, small mites such as Demodex gatoi can be difficult even for veterinarians to find, but can cause such problems in cats.

Allergies to food or environmental allergens are also common causes for hair loss. Sometimes impacted anal glands, urinary tract infections, as well as other metabolic problems are implicated in patients with this configuration of hair loss as well. Only when your veterinarian has ruled out these causes of alopecia (the medical term for hair loss) by performing blood work, multiple skin scrapings, a dietary trial and multiple skin biopsies, he or she can then determine a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia. As the name implies, this problem has a psychological basis and is generally thought to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

Keep a eye on your cat....if she starts to get scabs call your vet.

Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

sounds like she fell victim to a cruel neighborhood kid.

Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

It's possible that your cat may be pulling out her hair. The technical term for this is atopy. It's usually due to an allergic reaction but it can also be because of stress, so you should take her into the vet for a checkup.

Why is my cat losing hair on her tail and backside?

That's really odd. Where did you pick her up from 2 weeks ago? That may help me think of more possiblities. Here's what I've thought of so far:

First, get her examined by a vet to rule out anything medical, though I can't think of anything that would cause that sort of hair loss...other than allergies, possibly. Does she seem itchy?

If the vet says nothing is medically wrong with your cat, you should see about keeping her indoors and seeing if the hair grows back or if any new spots appear. Maybe someone is doing something to your cat when she's outside. That's a pretty scary thought. I hope you solve this problem soon!

Best wishes!