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My cat's losing hair, drinking more, and tired. Could it be Cushings?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Male | neutered | 10 lbs
Mau Mau has a large patch/strip (that is expanding) of thinning and lost hair on his left side/abdomen. I haven't really noticed it elsewhere. He is drinking a lot more as well. He's also getting tired rather easily. No redness or bites/wounds. He's on a special diet for sensitivity and stress. He's never shown allergies to what I use to wash his bedding etc. There are no fleas. Could it be Cushings? If not, what are possibilities? Should he have any tests done?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 19th, 2018
Hello, sorry to hear about Mau Mau. Its rare for cats to get cushings, however, a thinning hair coat could be a signs of this disease or many others. One disease that cats do get is hyperthyroidism. Now they typically lose weight and not hair, although hair loss could be a subtle sign.
More often, cats can have seasonal shedding and hair thinning which can be attributed to things such as allergies. Given that he has never had allergies in the past does not mean he cannot develop allergies now.
It would be best to have Mau Mau tested for metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism or cushings, as these can be managed with medications. If these are normal, then Mau Mau may indeed have allergies or a primary hair disease such as balding.
Have your veterinarian assess Mau Mau at his next available appointment. Things you may see with either cushings or hyperthyroidism include excessive drinking, urinating, voracious appetite, and weight loss.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
More often, cats can have seasonal shedding and hair thinning which can be attributed to things such as allergies. Given that he has never had allergies in the past does not mean he cannot develop allergies now.
It would be best to have Mau Mau tested for metabolic diseases such as hyperthyroidism or cushings, as these can be managed with medications. If these are normal, then Mau Mau may indeed have allergies or a primary hair disease such as balding.
Have your veterinarian assess Mau Mau at his next available appointment. Things you may see with either cushings or hyperthyroidism include excessive drinking, urinating, voracious appetite, and weight loss.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
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