My healthy cat is losing fur in one spot. What could be the cause?

[Hair loss](https://www.petcoach.co/article/causes-of-hair-loss-alopecia-in-cats/) can be caused by allergies or infection of the skin, and in severe cases by metabolic issues. Chronic stress or excessive licking of an area can also lead to hair loss in just one particular place. Preventing your cat from licking and chewing at the area with the use of a T-shirt or Elizabethan collar (cone) may help. Examine the area for redness,parasites, bleeding, bruising or discharge. If you see a target-like or red "ring" of irritation, it may indicate a fungal infection called [ringworm](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/ringworm/), which can be easily spread to other people and pets so should be handled carefully. If you do see anything suspicious, consider an exam with your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. Hair regrowth may take a few months depending on how much hair is lost as well as the underlying cause.

This does not look like mange, however this could be a fungal infection or a bacterial infection or overgrooming in a spot where the cat experiences pain. You should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian for a skin exam. If it is a fungal infection (ringworm) it would be contagious. to other pets as well as humans.

Hi Sara! Thank you for using PetCoach! Skipper is very handsome! :) You know, this hairloss spot could be from many different things. Some possibilities (just to name a few): 1. ringworm 2. mange 3. bacterial infection 4. localized vaccination reaction (some vets vaccinate low down on the legs so check to see if your vet did this) 5. injury Since he doesn't seem to be bothered by it at this stage I would suggest you try some antifungal medication on it for a couple weeks to see if there is any resolution. If not, then I would take him to your vet for an exam. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Athletes-Foot-Antifungal-Cream-0-5-Oz/21950095 In case it is ringworm, be sure to wash your hands after touching that area! Hope this helps. Best wishes!

I have seen this as a reaction to certain spot-on flea/tick treatments, vaccines and microchipping. If any of these were recently done, then I would be most suspicious of them being the cause. The skin appears a red, which indicates that something is irritating it and it appears oily, but I'm assuming that's from the antibiotic ointment. For now, it's best to just keep the area clean with a medicated cat shampoo. You can get this at the pet store. I would clean it once daily and not put the antibiotic cream on it. Use cool water when washing and rinsing to give some relief. You can stop the daily cleanings when the skin appears healthy again and the hair is obviously growing back. If the hair loss continues and the skin appears worse, then it's best to have a vet look at it, because it may need special treatment. I hope that helps and Phoebe gets better soon.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to ringworm. This could also be just a focal skin bacterial infection, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have Fawkes evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Ringworm can be transmitted to humans so just in case this is what is going with Fawkes, wear gloves when handling this lesion. Good luck and best wishes!

This does not look like a natural shedding and it does look suspicious for ringworm but a cut or abrasion can sometimes be this same circular shape. As you probably know, ringworm is contagious to humans as well. Ringworm can generally be diagnosed by your veterinarian and I recommend to get your kitty checked out so that you know what you were dealing with. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello! Mittens' skin lesion could be a result of ringworm, mange, or allergies. Since the lesion has noticeably grown in just 2 days, I would take her to the vet for an exam. Your vet will be able to perform a skin scrape to look for mites, Wood's lamp evaluation and ringworm culture. From there, an appropriate treatment can be started for Mittens.