Cat bald patches

[scoobygirl123]

Hi there, my black cat (male) seems to have bald patches, only on back end, legs, tail. I'm sure he hasn't got fleas, (I've got 5 and it's only this one.) the skin underneath does look a little red.? Just after advice if there's anything I can do/buy to try before I take him to vets, which I'm sure will be costly! He also spends a lot of time licking/grooming, and days where he seems excessively hungry! Any help appreciated thanks x

How old is he?
What do you use to flea treat? It could be fleas despite the others not being affected. Some cats have flea allergies.

He's nearly 3yrs, they've all been flea treated with tablets and spot on treatment. And I've thoroughly checked them. He's the only one that goes out though (won't use litter trays)

Flea treated with what though? Prescription treatment or OTC?

No, OTC

Some are dangerous. Most don't work.
Vet I'm afraid. If it isn't fleas it will need treatment and if it is you need to properly flea treat all cats. Indorex the house.
We use advocate monthly and profender three monthly. Never had worms or fleas.

Could be flea allergy. Could be food allergy. Could be stress. I use flea treatment from the vet. Is his food grain free?

One of my cats has this and it is caused by fleas. She is really prone to fleas unlike our other 2 cats even though they all go outside. I treat her at least monthly (sometimes more) with treatments I buy from the vet, comb her regularly and have sprayed the house several times this year from top to bottom. Vet says she's just really unlucky.

I actually got back off holiday, and the cats had been out(when normally indoor) well, the cats/house was infested. Someone recommended the tablets, which were good for getting rid. Then I treated the house with powder, and the cats with spot on (otc)
Yes, think it will be vets, but may have to be after Xmas. I will ring for advice anyway. Thank you

Tbh he's always been a sickly cat. We got him off family, he just seems quite anxious/nervous/ just looks a bit sad. :(

What food does he eat? Some can't tolerate grains and that cab5 cause skin issues too

*can

Are the bald patches round?
Could it be ringworm?

Tbh I'm not sure, I will check though. Excuse my ignorance but I'm in U.K. and always fed the cats on kitecat (it's a branded cat food-wet) although he does eat meat when OH gives him it.? They don't get on with just dry food, do you think it's worth monitoring his diet first to see if there's an improvement? Thx

No, not round as such, more patchy and random bald areas..
I've read up on ringworm etc, don't think it's that.
My mum has a dog, when he went for haircut, she noticed similar, vets said it was eczema then said was bacterial infection?

Mine are elderly, very rarely leave their bed or go outside (their choice - they have a cat flap) and both over-groom through boredom.
Thyroid problems can cause issues with hair growth too so do take him to the vet as soon as you can.
It’s it’s a flea allergy, he could be in great discomfort, even from one flea.

My black cat loses hair on her hind legs and belly every autumn, it grows back over the spring so she's furry all summer then the cycle begins again in autumn. This jas been going on for about 10 years now, the cat is about 14 years old.

I took her to the vets at first but they didn't know what it was, could be stress or an allergy but never got to the bottom of it. I think it might be an allergy to a plant in the garden or somewhere else she frequents. She's healthy otherwise but I'd love to know what causes it.

Kitekat is not a very good food.
If you had fleas in the house and treated with OTC stuff you likely still have them.
Vets.
You need to treat them regularly with decent stuff.

Thanks everyone. I'll visit the vets , be after Christmas now though. Thank you
And I'll look into his food also

I've had 2 cats who overgroomed - it's when they groom too much and pull out their own fur, usually because they are anxious or nervous about something. Could this be the problem with your cat? If it sounds like it, you need to try and work out if something is causing it - any changes to your lifestyle or something like fireworks that might be making them nervous? If you can, make changes in the house that can help (e.g. moving where the cat sleeps, giving them a secure space away from children or other pets). You can also get sprays like Pet Remedy that can help calm them.

I had the same thing with my little tabby, she was always scratching. Poor little thing had so much flea treatment, I was so paranoid, but then I changed her food and it all stopped. I was just feeding her on Aldi (yeah, very cheap) but a friend said it's not very good for them and put me on to www.Parcelpet.com which is hypoallergenic and grain free. Something to do with grain causes skin problems.

No problems now, it's totally worth it.