Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my senior cat losing fur and has a rash? Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 17 years and 3 months old | 10 lbs

My 17 y/o cats fur is clumping and after brushing him the clumps come out pretty easily and there are a few bare patches. I've now noticed a dark red rash at the base of his tail only. He has not been scratching or acting different in any way. I'm unable to take him to the vet at this time due to financial difficulties. Is there a possibility this could be something relatively minor?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 10th, 2017

Oh no, poor Paddy! Unfortunately without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain if this is something relatively minor. A rash in cats could be caused by an infection (bacteria or yeast), allergies, or insects (fleas, mites). This would also cause fur loss. In a senior cat, hyperthyroidism could cause hair loss. Make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments, giving him one such as Revolution or Advantage if he isn't. You will have to disinfect the environment as well. I would have him seen by a vet for this though, and I can give you a number of resources that may help you afford a vet. He does need a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to check on his overall health, and these tests can help diagnose if he does have hyperthyroidism or not, which is very common in senior cats. Once the cause of his symptoms is diagnosed, the vet can prescribe treatment for him.

Affording a vet:
You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962
https://www.redrover.org
https://www.carecredit.com
http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets
http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/


The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.

Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay.
IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.

Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My senior diabetic cat is tearing out his fur. Why is this happening?
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites or it could be stress related. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). If allergy is not identified this behaviour could be purely stress related. Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My senior cat has bald spots on his front legs. What's causing them?
From the photos, it looks like the skin has some red lesions. Hair loss can indicate many things including over grooming, ringworm (which humans can get), scabies (which can also effect humans) or other skin mites, hyperthyroidism or allergies (fleas, food or environmental). Unfortunately, all these lesions look similar. A physical exam and some basic diagnostics are needed to determine the underlying cause. Over grooming is more difficult to determine and is generally determined based upon ruling out other causes, a physical exam and a thorough medical history. I think your best option is to have Puds examined by the veterinarian. At home you can try giving him an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets but it may not correct the underlying cause. This can however improve over all skin health. There are two brands of food, Royal Canin and Nutro, which are aimed at skin health and they may help as well but again, they may not affect the underlying problem. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
How can I afford vet care for my sick cat with fur loss?
Oh wow, that is so horrible that Tank was made to get high on marijuana. That poor kitty. I wold have her seen by a vet as soon as possible. There sounds like there is a lot going on with her at the moment. She could have fleas, mites, allergies, or ringworm causing the loss of fur. She could have an ear infection causing her ear symptoms. She needs veterinary attention for her problems, and I can give you a list of resources that may help you afford a vet for her. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
 God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.
 The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.
 Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. I hope one of these resources helps you!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why does my male cat have a rash around his nipples and a thin tail?
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be fleas, infection or mites.

First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation.

 If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy.

 Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair the skin lesions (steroids and antibiotics). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my senior cat losing hair, weight, and in pain with diarrhea?
Kitty should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. He could have hyperthyroidism and your vet can run blood-work to test his thyroid level. Once your vet determines the exact cause, he/she can recommend a treatment. Hope he feels better soon.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat has a skin rash and bald spots. What are the causes and fixes?
Unfortunately, there a lot of causes behind skin rashes and hair loss, which is why it is important to bring Duchess to a vet for a workup. Rashes can be caused by issues such as parasites (fleas, ticks, lice, ect) which can cause a bite allergy -- and does present similar to the picture you provided. Other causes of rashes can include bacterial or fungal infections, underlying illnesses, food or environmental allergens. I would treat Duchess for any fleas and also be sure to thoroughly wash all bedding, clean her environment, vacuum floorboards, etc. You can also try an allergy medication while treating for the fleas to help reduce irritation while she heals (your vet can give you the correct dosage for Duchess' weight and size). Using an old T-shirt or an Elizabethan (cone) collar to keep her from licking and chewing the irritated area can also help reduce the chances of an infection taking hold. It's still a good idea to schedule a vet visit even if you are doing home treatment. This can help rule out any other causes, and your vet can monitor progress on the allergy/flea treatment to make any adjustments if needed.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My senior cat has balding spots on her back thighs. What's happening?
Risia could be overgrooming, and that can occur due to stress, fleas, mites, allergies, or a medical illness like hyperthyroidism. I'd have her seen by a vet on Monday for a health check and a geriatric blood panel and urinalysis. Once a cause is found, the vet can discuss treatment options. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat SuppliesCat FoodCat Allergy & Itch ReliefWet Cat FoodCat Thyroid MedicationCat Health & WellnessSenior Cat FoodSkin & Coat Supplements for CatsPain Meds & Arthritis Relief for CatsCat MedicineCat LaxativesFlea & Tick Solutions for CatsAntifungal Medication for CatsSenior Cat Vitamins & SupplementsPrescription Cat Allergy MedicineCat First AidVaccines and Shots for CatsCat Insulin & Diabetes MedicationPrescription Flea & Tick Medicine for CatsFlea Shampoo for Cats
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button