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My cat has a painful pink spot with hair loss. How can I treat it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 4 years old | 9 lbs

My cat was cleaning herself when I noticed a small pink spot where she had hair loss. It was a small circle, smaller than the size of a penny but the hair around it felt stiff like it had something on it and the spot felt tacky to the touch. I could tell it was hurting her by my touch because she bit me which is extremely out of character for her. Can I treat this like I would a raw spot on myself or my child?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 22nd, 2017

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! What you have taken a picture of on Ms. Kitty appears to be an area that is infected. What it is infected with I am unable to determine based on the pictures. However, that being said, I would recommend treating this by first shaving the hair away from the area and cleansing it with a mixture of betadine and water mixed to give a 50:50 dilution or until you get a light brown solution. You can use this to keep the area clean. I would recommend starting a spray such as Malacetic conditioning spray and spray to the affected area 2-3 times per day until resolved. If there is no improvement or it worsens, I would recommend having this examined by a veterinarian as Ms. Kitty may need a course of an antibiotic and additional topical medications. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 18th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture you provided, I suspect this could be a skin infection. I would recommend using the following products or something comparable, which you can find easily online. If there is no improvement I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendation can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

1. Douxo PS Chlorhexidine combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly

2. Malacetic conditioner spray and apply to the area twice daily until resolved

3. Zymox topical ointment and apply 2-3 times per day until resolved
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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