Fur Loss in Cats: Over Grooming And Losing Hair

by: The Maine Coon Cat Nation Community!

Fur loss in cats is quite concerning. These kitties are grooming themselves excessively and losing fur. Their owners are seeking help and community advice.

"What can I do to help Shadow with his over-grooming and thinning mane?"

by: Kerry in NJ

We adopted Shadow a few years ago from someone who had passed away.

He was extremely nervous at first but has since become much more comfortable.

However, we’ve noticed that he spends over 60% of his time grooming. Occasionally, he pulls out clumps of his own hair.

While his coat is still mostly full, his mane is noticeably thinner than it should be and seems to have gotten shorter since he’s been with us.

We’ve ruled out common causes of fur loss in cats. Shadow is an indoor pet with no fleas or mites (we use preventive medication just in case), and extensive allergy testing revealed sensitivities to fish and chicken.

We’ve adjusted his diet accordingly, but there’s been no improvement.

We’ve consulted four veterinarians so far. The first gave him two steroid injections, which helped briefly, but they advised against continuing this treatment for his long-term health.

At 25 pounds, Shadow is quite the handful, but he’s also the cleanest pet I’ve ever had.

We’re out of ideas and would love any suggestions to help his mane grow thicker and reduce the over-grooming.

Comments:
Allergies
by: Community Member

I had a similar issue with one of my cats. My vet recommended eliminating anything that might have changed recently—things like new food, litter, or even laundry detergent. It’s amazing how these little adjustments can make a difference.

Over-Grooming and Stress
By: Sandra
I had a pair of Maine Coon mixes I adopted back in 1991. The female had a very similar issue, with thinning fur around her mane and the base of her tail.

I consulted several vets, and a few even suggested low-dose medication to reduce her over-grooming.

I decided against it but realized over time that her grooming habits were likely stress-related.

She lived to be 15, and her brother made it to 17. Neither ever needed flea or tick meds since they were indoor-only cats, and I never noticed any skin parasites or hot spots.

I hope Shadow recovers soon.

A behaviorist might be a great idea!

Sandra H. 🐈🐈‍⬛🐾🐾

Stress Management
By: Bastet the Cat Goddess
I’m so sorry to hear about Shadow’s thinning mane and over-grooming. Emotional stress could be a contributing factor. A cat behaviorist might be able to help uncover what’s triggering his behavior.

Also, since Shadow is an indoor pet, you might want to discontinue flea and tick medications. If he’s not exposed to these parasites, the meds could be unnecessary and might even contribute to his hair loss.

Wishing you luck with Shadow—he sounds like a beautiful boy!

Behavioral Support
By: Wendy B.

Stress could definitely be the root cause of Shadow’s over-grooming and hair thinning. Grooming might be a self-soothing behavior for him. A consultation with a feline behaviorist could provide insights and solutions.

You could also try calming products like sprays or essential oils made specifically for pets. Talk to your vet or a behaviorist about the best options for Shadow. I hope his coat improves soon - when our pets are stressed, it stresses us too!

Fur Loss in Cats And Dry Skin

I have a male Maine Coon named Erabous, who is almost 2 years old.

He’s been licking and chewing excessively, but the area I’m most concerned about is around his neck and head.

The fur around his neck is very short, and his skin looks dusty and flaky, almost like dandruff.

He’s a beautiful black smoke Maine Coon but doesn’t have a mane. I’ve got a vet appointment for him this Thursday, but I thought I’d ask here for any suggestions in the meantime.

I’ve considered bathing him with flea shampoo, but the breeder I got him from didn’t believe in bathing Maine Coons, so I’ve been hesitant. Plus, I’m not looking forward to the scratches!

Reply
Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear that Erabous is dealing with this discomfort!

It’s great that you already have a vet appointment, as this definitely sounds like something that requires professional attention.

Since you didn’t mention whether Erabous has fleas, I’d recommend avoiding flea shampoo unless you know for sure he has them.

Bathing him right now might also make it harder for the vet to assess what’s causing the issue.

Dusty, flaky skin and thinning fur in areas like the neck can have many causes, including fur loss in cats due to allergies, stress, external parasites, or even dry air and a low-fat diet.

Sometimes over-grooming itself can exacerbate the problem, creating a cycle of irritation and fur loss.

More serious underlying issues like infections, hormonal imbalances, or illnesses could also contribute to both the hair loss and the dry skin, so a full checkup with your vet is definitely the best course of action.

While I haven’t personally experienced this with my cats, other members of the community might have advice that could help while you wait for the appointment.

Please let us know how Erabous is doing afterward - we’re all rooting for him!

Best wishes,
Carrie

Comments
Hair Loss and Dry Skin
by Paula Harrigan
I’ve had success with Tomlyn Nutritional Gel in malt flavor, which has omega fatty acids and vitamins. It’s worked wonders for my cat’s coat—it’s now silky, thick, and healthy.

I also feed him raw food from Answers, which includes probiotics. It might be worth looking into for Erabous!

Over-Grooming Cats
by Janet

Sometimes cats over-groom when they’re stressed or unwell. My Maine Coon mix, Dustin, started over-grooming when he developed kidney disease. I initially thought his purring meant he was happy, but it was actually a sign of discomfort.

Your boy is young, so kidney disease seems unlikely, but it’s great that he’s seeing a vet soon. If there’s dandruff, it could point to dry skin. Even one flea bite can cause a major reaction in some cats - I had one with allergic flea dermatitis, and it drove him crazy until we got it under control.

Consider omega-3 and omega-6 supplements, like fish oil, to improve his skin and coat.

Of course, check with your vet before trying anything new. Sending prayers for Erabous to feel better soon!

Over-Grooming
by Diana

My 13-year-old Maine Coon has had a similar problem for years. She’s a pro at shaving her tummy and even sometimes her back legs.

After multiple vet visits, we were told she likely has OCD. One vet suggested CBD treats, but I didn’t see much improvement.

I hope you find some answers for Erabous - it’s so hard to see our pets uncomfortable. Wishing you and your boy all the best!

Losing Fur in Back Legs and Tail: What Could Be Causing Fur Loss in Cats?

My Maine Coon is 5 years old, and she’s an indoor pet. Over the past month, I’ve noticed she’s losing fur on her back legs and tail. She’s never shed this much before. What should I do?

Reply:
Hi there,

It sounds like this may have happened in the past, though not as severely - am I right?

If so, and it’s spring where you are, this might just be seasonal shedding. Even indoor pets can shed heavily during this time of year as they transition out of their winter coat.

This process is triggered by changes in light exposure, so even though she doesn’t spend time outdoors, her body may still respond to the season.

That said, if the fur loss seems excessive - so much that her skin is visible or you’re genuinely concerned - it’s always best to reach out to your vet.

They may be able to guide you over the phone by asking a few key questions to determine whether further investigation is needed.

If this is linked to an underlying health condition, catching it early is important.

Wishing you and your girl all the best,
Carrie

Comments:
Flea Allergy Could Be the Cause
I had a Maine Coon that suddenly lost a significant amount of fur. It turned out to be a flea allergy! If your pet isn’t on flea prevention, that’s something to consider - it made a big difference for mine.

When Will His Mane Come In?

by: Laurie in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I have a beautiful Maine Coon who is soon to be 10 months old. First things first, love him just the way he is! Sooooo lovable.

I am just curious about the mane around his neck. Doesn't appear to be a lot going on there. Is there an age when you know he won't have a mane that is predominant to his features?

Reply:
Hi Laurie,
I remember wondering the same thing when Leo was young. At around a year, some young Maine Coons are still in their "awkward teenage phase."

My best advice is to give it some more time! Since he's a purebred Coonie, I am confident he'll fill in before you know it.

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