My indoor cats have bald spots. Is this normal or concerning?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this happens to be in the abdomen, it is possible that this is a nipple. If not, then yes I agree it could be a growth. In that case, I recommend you have Leo evaluated by your veterinarian for a test called fine needle aspirate which is an easy, quick and pain-free procedure which in the majority of cases will help reach a diagnosis to identify what the best course of action is based on the findings. In some cases, a biopsy is needed for a diagnosis. If it truly is benign then removal is not necessarily recommended. However, if it is malignant and it has not spread to other locations, then surgical removal is recommended. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign.

We can sometimes see color changes in haircoat in animals as they age, or as a result of inflammation or trauma to the skin. If there are no lesions (redness, crusts or scabs, raised bumps, etc.) and your kitty is not bothering at the area by licking/scratching at it, I would just continue to observe the site. I would check it weekly for changes. If he begins to lose hair, starts licking/scratching, the skin looks red or irritated or other spots appear, then a vet exam is recommended.

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.

This does look like irritation, possibly due to an allergy or something such as an external parasite (fleas, ticks, etc). I would make sure Skyler is up to date on any flea preventives and check him and his environment for any signs of them. Environmental and food allergies can also cause irritation such as this, and a diet change or visit to your vet may help find the underlying cause as well as provide you with some medication to give Skyler some relief. In the meantime, I would keep any affected areas clean and dry, and use an Elizabethan (cone) collar if needed to keep Skyler from licking or chewing to avoid any secondary bacteria from getting under the skin. If the bald patches continue, the irritations worsen, or they don't resolve with home care, a vet visit is best for more specific examination and treatment.

From the pictures this appears to be normal. I would not be concerned about Schrodinger's mildly thin coat on his abdomen unless he starts over grooming or itching the area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cats tend to have hair thinning on the sides of the head just above the eyes. As long as the skin is not red, thickened and there are no raised bumps, this is likely normal. If the hair thinning / hair loss continues / worsens, then I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Apples so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps!