Why does my cat's hair shed with black tips? Is it normal?

Hello, congrats on the new kitty! It is normal to have a small area of thin hair in front of the ears, such as what you're seeing in Brownie, so that is not a concern as long as Brownie isn't acting abnormal by scratching excessively at the ears or showing other signs of discomfort. His hair otherwise looks nice and thick in the photos so I suspect he has normal shedding, which you can help control with regular brushing. However, if there are patches of distinct hair loss, or if he seems itchy, then you should have a vet take a look to make sure he doesn't have a skin condition requiring medication. Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. To be honest, this looks like a normal seasonal shed for a long-haired cat. (They May not do it every year and the first one is often at 2-4 years of age). Brush her throughly every day for the next week or two. The little black dots are comedowns (basically blackheads) and are usually not concerning either. If she becomes completely bald over large patches, or the lethargy worsens or you see any other concerning signs, it’s time to see the vet. Best wishes to you and Puss.

This appears to be normal. It is though head to tell by photos. I'd get him checked if it seems off. When they bend, there hair does separate like that. If he is itchy, losing clumps, biting at skin, etc., I would definitely get it checked

Cats normally shed whiskers just like they shed their other fur. So, it is normal to occasionally find whiskers, but it is a little weird to find 3 whiskers in 3 days. If there are areas in her whiskers that are appearing bare or thin or any other areas of hair loss, then I would recommend having your veterinarian examine her. If everything looks fine around her whiskers, then it might just be a fluke that you have found 3 whiskers so close together and you may not see any more for a while. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Some cats do shed more than others, but if you feel it is extreme compared to your other cats you may want to have your veterinarian do a thorough examination of her skin to make sure she doesn't have evidence of a dermatologic disease that could be causing excessive shedding. Shedding has also been linked to stress. If her skin seems normal and she is otherwise healthy it may simply be normal for her to be shedding like this - make sure she's on a high quality diet, brush twice daily, and consider bathing her every couple of weeks if you think she'll tolerate it.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Shedding is completely normal, especially as the temperature gets warmer. What would be abnormal is if you are seeing bald spots of skin on your cats, especially if it the skin is pink/red or dry and crusting. This could indicate a skin infection or allergies. I hope this is helpful!

It sounds like your cat may have a flea allergy. Flea dirt (small black specks) are often found in the skin and this is accompanied by constant scratching/licking and hair loss. The skin is also susceptible to getting secondary bacterial infections. Your cat needs to first be examined to confirm a flea allergy is likely present, then he/she needs to get a steroid shot to stop the itch quickly. The more your pet scratches the worse it will get. If your pet doesn't have fleas then another possible cause of hair loss and black specks is a mite infestation on the skin with lots of loose scans; although this is not nearly as common as fleas. Both require a vet visit to get any type of resolution. I hope your kitty gets well soon!