Why is my 4-month-old kitten losing fur on his face near whiskers?

I am sorry to hear about your kitten! From the photos you show, the thinned hair in the areas in front of the ears can be a normal variation. If you notice any redness/bumps/scabs on the area or the hair thins so much that there are bald spots then this would be concerning and we would worry about things such as external parasites, ringworm (a fungal infection), bacterial infection. We may also worry about infection inside the ears from bacteria, yeast, or mites, if the kitten is rubbing/scratching at the ears there thereby rubbing the area in front of the ears as a result causing damage to the skin. If there are other pets or small children in the house I would wonder if the longer whiskers were removed from play with them, or if the kitten goes outdoors. I would, however, recommend an examination if your kitten is acting lethargic. This is a very vague symptoms so there could be a multitude of causes and a physical exam may better help the vet determine the possible cause of lethargy.

Hello. Unfortunately, your pictures never came through, but this might be something best left to a hands on examination with a veterinarian. Hair loss could be from the burn, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection, mange mites ( demodex ), or even ringworm, which is contagious to people. More than likely, she lost the whiskers also to the burn. I do not think you trimming them caused the disappearance. If the follicle (root) was not damaged, the whiskers should grow back. And the brown discharge in the ears may just be extra ear wax & dirt, or a sign of an infection or even ear mites. So, you have several reasons to take Sofia into a veterinarian. Everything can be sorted out pretty quickly, & if she needs any medications or treatments, the right ones will be sent home. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would bring Kitten 4 to the vet for a checkup if you haven't already. Not getting enough nutrition, an underlying illness or metabolic issue, or even something such as parasites/fungal/skin infections could be causing hair loss. Excessive grooming by the kitten or mom may also cause hair loss in the areas where it is scratched or licked too much. If kitten is bothered by it, using an e-collar or tiny t-shirt to prevent scratching and chewing may help until your vet can take a look to determine the cause.

Some hair growth issues can be caused by ringworm, and I would recommend that Miho get checked out by a vet. Other causes of brittle hair or slow growth include improper nutrition, intestinal parasites, or other health issues. After examination and a medical history discussion, the vet can make recommendations for treatment or supplements to improve the condition of her fur.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Loki. Poor kitty. I don't know if the fur loss is connected to the food change, but it may be unrelated. It could be due to fleas, mites, or ringworm. I'd have him seen by a vet to have this diagnosed and treated. I hope this helps!

Yes. Especially with kittens, ringworm (which humans can get) and bacterial infections are common. It’s best to get a handle on this early. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your kittens. They will need to see a veterinarian for skin testing. They will likely need a fungal culture to check for ringworm and skin scrapes to look for mites under the microscope. There is a common mite in kittens that lives within the hair follicles. An overgrowth can result in bald spots that do not typically itch. These mites are microscopic and cannot be seen by looking at the cats. I hope this information helps and you are able to get their skin cleared up!