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My cat's belly is bald. When should I see a vet for hair loss?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 2 months old | 13 lbs

My two-year-old female cat has gone completely bald on her belly is it something I should be worried about?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on June 28th, 2019

It may be excessive grooming, which can be caused by numerous things, including fleas (even if she is an indoor-only cat), stress or anxiety, skin infection, mites, pain, or even urinary discomfort. I would recommend having Izzy checked out by a vet to first rule out common medical issues. Then they can help you determine what could be the cause and start her on an appropriate treatment plan.

https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952646

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
Published on June 29th, 2018
Overgrooming and self trauma is very common response in cats following stressful changes in routine or environment. There are many things you can do for Angel including calming supplements such as zylkene or calm aid and diffusers such as feliway or comfort zone which can help her deal with the anxiety. In severe cases, prescription medications and E collars may be required also but these can be stressful in themselves for cats. Ensure she has safe, covered places to hide, indoor litter trays and try to leave a radio on to help cover the background noise
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 1st, 2016
Over grooming can be caused by stress or anxiety. You could try some Feliway spray or diffuser and see if that helps. She might also need an anti-anxiety medication, like Prozac. You could talk to your vet about prescribing.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 14th, 2017
Angel may be over grooming and by excessively licking her fur the hair breaks off. Have her examined by your veterinarian to make sure she is not suffering from lice or fungus or other skin disease. Very nervous or stressed kitties often over groom. You can get some Feliway dispensers for your house and try to figure out what stresses her out and then remove the cause for the stress. This may stop the over grooming.,
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

Why is my cat over-grooming, losing hair, and getting bald spots?

If there is no medical reason such as fleas or food allergy and it is behavioral there is medication to help. She may notice another animal or cat outside that is new that is stressing her out and causing her to do this more, There may be a new neighbor with a dog that she smells passing by the door increasing her anxiety. You can start with feliway diffusers and sprays to help in side the apartment. You can also talk to your vet about anxiety medication to start her on to decrease this behavior.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat has bald spots and short hair patches. Why is this happening?

[Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/) are the most common cause of hair loss and [excessive grooming in cats](https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help), but there are several other medical causes as well - including [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/), bacterial or fungal infections, or skin mites. I would definitely start your cat on a good monthly spot-on product such as [Advantage II](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat/cat-flea-and-tick/cat-flea-and-tick-drops/advantage-ii-once-a-month-cat-and-kitten-topical-flea-treatment-over-9-lbs) to make sure fleas are not the problem - you can get this over the counter at many pet stores. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you will need to have your cat examined by a vet - he/she can do some testing if needed to diagnose the problem and get your kitty the appropriate prescription medications to treat it. Behavioral causes, such as stress or anxiety, can also lead to overgrooming. [Calming supplements](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-training/cat-training-calming-aids/calming-cat-supplements) or [pheromone products](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/brand/feliway) can be found at the lcocal Petco. If these do not improve the condition, your veterinarian may recommend prescription strength remedies.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat's belly is bald. Is it normal, or a sign of a medical issue?

Neutering will not cause baldness. Pets can have a bald belly for many reasons. Over grooming is most common and you may not always see behavior that appears to be obsessive: https://www.petcoach.co/article/psychogenic-alopecia-in-cats/ Other causes include allergies, thyroid conditions or an abnormality in the hair follicles themselves. The best place to start figuring out the cause is a physical exam with your veterinarian. They will get an idea of this is pathological or not. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my cat excessively licking and losing fur despite vet visits?

Excessive grooming can sometimes be linked to a behavioral issues (IE stress, or even becoming a habit after a stressful event) rather than a health one. If all tests have ruled out issues (including samples of the affected area sent to a lab), looking to behavioral ones may be beneficial. Trying to reduce any stressors in Belle's life such as making sure she has access to her own food, water, litter, places to sleep and hide, etc may help. Using a soft brush if she is regularly groomed may help as well. Pheromone diffusers such as comfort zone can also help with stress related issues. An Elizabethan (cone) collar or a T-shirt covering the area that is excessively groomed can also help break the habit. Here are some articles that may be useful for you as well on the topic: https://www.petcoach.co/article/psychogenic-alopecia-in-cats/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat is licking her belly bald. Is it anxiety or a skin issue?

Hello! Cats commonly cope with anxiety by over-grooming themselves, usually in their belly region. I think you are exactly right that she has licked the fur off. In a fungal infection, I would expect to see redness of the skin, crusting, or discharge. The first thing I'd recommend for anxious kitties is a product called Feliway. It's a feline pheromone product that helps naturally calm cats. It can come in diffuser, spray, and collar forms. Cats also find great comfort in height. If she doesn't have many high places to perch around the house, that can be something that helps her interact more. There are also options of anxiolytic drugs, such as Prozac, that can help if you don't find success in the other options. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My indoor cat is losing fur on her belly, but seems healthy. Why?

Hi there. A couple things could be going on with Lucky. Some cats lose hair due to stress and this is usually self resolving. More commonly cats lose hair due to an allergy. This could be to their food or something in the environment. I would start by having your vet check her and then do a hypoallergenic food trial for 8 weeks. This usually does the trick, but if not your vet can prescribe medications to help with environmental allergies. Best wishes to you and Lucky.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my cat going bald on her belly and biting her paws raw?

I would be very suspicious about possible allergies with these symptoms. I recommend rechecking with your vet, as that skin on the legs looks pretty raw and you need to make sure Cindy doesn't have a secondary infection. Then you can talk to your vet about whether they think it's appropriate to start Cindy on an allergy medication / food trial. Anxiety / behavioral overgrooming and parasites (fleas, mites) are other common causes of hair loss, and with an exam your vet can help differentiate these.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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