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Should You Go To The Vet Over These Three Common Cat Fur Concerns?

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As an owner of a feline, you have a lot to do in order to keep your cat healthy. Your pet relies on you for everything from toothbrushing to regular vaccinations, and it's up to you to monitor your pet for any potential changes that could signal a problem. If you've noticed that your cat's fur seems to be changing in some way, or you just want to know what to look out for, then take a look at this list.

Missing Fur

One common problem that pet owners see is their cats suddenly missing patches of fur. You might even catch your cat grooming itself and pulling out big gobs of fluff. So what's going on here?

There are multiple conditions that can essentially cause bald patches on cats. Things like fleas can cause this problem because they irritate the skin and can cause hair to fall out as a result. In many cases, stress and anxiety are the culprits. Excessive anxiety can cause hair to fall out on its own, but cats who are stressed may also obsessively groom themselves and pull fur out. If your cat seems like it has less fur than usual, you should go to a vet and find out what's behind the behavior.

Fur Clumps

Another issue many cat owners see, especially if you have a long-haired cat, are clumps forming in your cat's fur. This is a condition called fur matting that can be a fairly significant problem for long-haired cats.

Fur matting is essentially an overgrown tangle in the fur. Many cats are able to keep their fur tidy just by licking themselves, but with longer hair comes a bigger risk for fur matting. These mats not only look unsightly but can continuously tug on your cat's skin, creating irritation and causing pain. Thankfully, this problem can be quickly taken care of by a vet. They'll remove the mats, inspect your cat's skin to make sure it's okay, and then teach you some ways to maintain your cat's fur so it doesn't happen again.

Changing Colors

Finally, you might be startled to notice that your cat's fur color is changing over time. In most cases, this is a completely natural phenomenon and not something to worry about.

It might surprise you, but some cats, like Siamese, actually see their fur color change over time. This is because Siamese cats are sensitive to heat levels. The colder it is, the more dark marks they get on their fur. This is why their ears, noses, and paws tend to be dark when they're kittens even when the rest of them is white. Those parts of their body are cold and are darkening as a result.

On the other hand, older cats sometimes see their fur change colors as melanin production diminishes. This is a natural thing, much like having your hair go grey as you get older. If you're concerned, you can of course visit the vet, but this particular problem usually doesn't indicate a health issue. For more information, contact a clinic like Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A.


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