Could my cat's tail hair loss without scratching be a thyroid problem?

The most common cause of hair loss around the tail is from flea allergies so I would definitely check her thoroughly for fleas. Other possibly causes are anal gland problems, seasonal allergies, ringworm, mites, infections. She should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Without a photo, its hard to say whats happening with Ruby. If the skin looks totally normal (no redness, flakey skin, scabs...etc) then its possible Ruby is simply over grooming. Some cats with lick their fur until it thins out as a habit (like people biting their nails). Hairloss in general can indicate many things: parasites, fungal infections, thyroid conditions, metabolic imbalances. When in doubt, I recommend a trip to the vet to have her thoroughly checked out. Hope you get it figured out soon!

Hello. There could be a couple of things going on with Harry. Cats can lose hair around the base of their tail when they are allergic to something, when they have suffered an injury to that area, or when their anal glands are impacted. It does sound like he's uncomfortable, and any of these conditions can cause discomfort. I would monitor and if this continues take him into your vet. They can check the area and find out the cause. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. Decreased hair quality in cats, especially of her age, could be due to hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, parasites, and overall poor health and grooming habits due to arthritis or obesity. I would suggest getting her checked by a vet, and having bloodwork done to test for these conditions as some have easy fixes. Good luck with her!

Even though you don't see any fleas, your cat could still be having an allergic reaction to fleas. It only takes the bite of one flea to set off the reaction, and itchiness over the base of the tail is classic flea allergic dermatitis. However, dermatitis can be brought on by other skin parasites (mosquitoes, mites, lice), bacterial and fungal skin infections, nutritional imbalances, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, I recommend that you have your cat examined by your veterinarian for a full clinical work up.

If you are noticing sudden hair thinning, this could be an indication of a hormonal disease. This may also be normal as some cats shed more than others. The hair may need some time to grow back in after shedding out. If she is overgrooming that area, that could lead to thinning of the hair as well. One thing to consider adding in to the diet would be omega 3 fish oil capsules (welactin liquid) to see if this helps the overall appearance of the coat. I hope this helps! If the hair continues to become more thin or falls out completely, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Older cats like your kitty often get an overactive thyroid which will show weight loss, a really fast heart rate, sometimes vomiting, and more vocalisation than usual. Some cats get skittish as well. Hyperthyroidism can actually cause heart problems and mask kidney disease. Hyperthyroidism is easily diagnosed with a clinical exam and a little blood test and there are various treatments available, varying from Methimazole transdermal ointment or tablets to slow down thyroid hormone production, surgery to remove the overactive thyroid gland or radiotherapy. If your kitty is suffering from hyperthyroidism your vet will discuss the various options. I suggest you make an appointment tomorrow.