My cat is losing hair on his paws only?

Question

Im really scared about my cat right now. He just recently started losing hair on his paws in the past month . When i first noticed it I thought he had just gotten into a fight or something, but now the small patches on his foot have turned into where he looks like hes about to lose all the hair on his right front paw and on his back paw he is starting to have a bald patch

This is only on two paws but it started on one.

He is 3 years old, hasnt had any changes in diet and is an indoor outdoor cat. I have 3 other cats and they havent had any problems so Im guessing its something thats not contagious

Answer 1

Ringworm maybe?

Take him in to confirm this though.

Answer 2

Sounds like it could be ringworm.  Does the bald skin look scaly as well?  If so, this is a good indication it is a fungus.  This can be contagious not only to your other cats, but to you.  Get him to the vet right away.

Answer 3

sounds like allergies, they can be food, flea, or weather allergies, its hard to say.  Its really hard to tell how allergies will affect our animals until it happens.  the shedding of foot hair is most likely a symptom of allergies.  the best solution of couse is to take your animal to the vet to determine the degree of allergy.  It can be treated by given a shot or even just regular pill form.

also, i;ve found that fish oil is very beneficial.  Its omega 3 fish oil and it comes in a pump bottle.  put a pump of fish oil on your cats food everyday, and this will help with the coat of your cat, and eventually bring hair back to the feet-also-with he help of the medicine your vet provides.  

the cats love the fish oil and have been known to refuse their food un-oiled.  good luck!  

Answer 4

sounds very much like allergies. Is he l*****g his paws a lot- that may be the cause of the hair loss, they itch so he licks them. Could be food allergies.

Just because there has been no change in diet does not rule out food allergies. Sometimes food allergies develop after years of eating the same food. I don't know the specifics, but a lamb and rice food (if he is not already eating it) could help. He may need a novel protein and carbohydrate source such as duck and rice. your vet should have several prescription allergy foods available for you to try.

The biggest problem with food allergies is that if he get one single bite of a food he is allergic to, it can cause the symptoms to return for several days/weeks so he must only eat the food recommend by the vet, which most likely means all the other cats will have to go on it so the affected cat will not eat another food.

Answer 5

well this could be a few things..

1. allergies to something the cat has come into contact with

2. allopecia - cat do get it aswell usually caused by stress.. and as you said if your cat has been in fights recently? ..do u have other cats? as it is breeding season there could be competition between them causing the stress

and finally 3. my cat started developing a bald patch on the side once, there was no cause at all for this, we later found out it was out of boredum that she had been preening herself secretly 2 much, once we got another cat 2 keep her company (mothering instict) she settled down n the hair grew back in..

you mite want to try observing the cat for a few days, watch its eating, sleeping, preening, fighting habits, see if you notice any diffrence, over l*****g their coat? etc..

hope this helps

xxxx

Answer 6

it could be the food and his diet,something that he needs or something that is causing him an abnormal reaction to...get him to a vet...

Answer 7

Is he losing hair or is he actively chewing it off his paws? Have you observed him grooming/chewing at his paws excessively? If he's been outdoors, then he might have a splinter or other injury to his paws that's become infected and causing him pain. Otherwise, he might be having an allergic reaction to something he stepped on outside. My best advice would be to bring him to the vet and see if he can find any sores or infection on his paws.

Answer 8

There's a few things that come to mind.  

It could be an allergy.  Allergies can develope at any time.  This could be his food, or even if you have changed your fabric softener.  If he comes into contact with it, it could give him a reaction.

Second, it could be a fungal infection.  This can happen even if you keep things clean.  

Third, hotspots or a skin infection.

With any of these, the best option is to consult your vet.  They would be the only ones who could properly diagnose this.  Good luck!

Answer 9

it could be fleas or mites it could be a cat fight your best bet is to take him to the vet and get an exam. They will be able to run tests for you and let you know whats up. Good Luck.