Ongoing Hair Loss Problem

I'll start out by saying that if it continues to get worse, I will take her to the vet. I just don't have the money to do it immediately... we've been battling Giardia with our dog and are on unemployment right now so money is a bit tight... but I could use some insight into what the problem could be.

Our 3 year old cat has been losing hair steadily for the past few months. The patches are spread out over her lower back, tail base, inner thighs, and belly. She's an indoor cat, but I still treat everyone for fleas in case our dog brings them in. She's lost a little weight. And it's occurred to me recently that she's peed a few times in places other than the litter box, like on clothes on the floor or a blanket. I have no idea if these things are related.

It's just this last month that I've really noticed the hairloss seems to be getting really bad, not better. Wondering what else I can do for her...

I'm not sure it's something like a flea allergy because a year and a half ago we went through a tough flea summer where there were fleas all over and all the animals were infested, and there was no severe hairloss like this.

I am fairly certain she is over-grooming and it is not caused by ringworm.

Recent changes:
Switched to Taste of the Wild canned food from Taste of the Wild Dry.
Our dog was hit by a truck in March, we have a new puppy (about 8 months) in the house but most of the house is usually gated off so the pup can't bother the kitties.
We moved to an old country house in February.
Wormed for tapeworms, as I noticed our other cat had some tapeworm bits stuck to her hind quarters.

Our other cat hasn't experienced any problems. Thanks for any insight. I really appreciate y'all taking the time to read all that.

Hi and welcome to TCS. Sorry to hear that your cat is not feeling well. I think she needs to be seen by a vet sooner rather than later. The fur loss and weight loss could point to hyperthyroidism. Is she drinking more than usual? The peeing out of the box could be a sign of pain, or it could be an unrelated urinary tract issue. There's just no way to know what's wrong without some tests. I would recommend blood work and urinalysis. Unexplained weight loss is usually due to a medical problem. Many vibes that it's nothing serious and easily treatable.

I don't think she is drinking more than usual... I think she is getting most of her liquids from her wet food, supplemented by a small bowl of water in the bedroom. I don't have to fill it very often, and she rarely comes out into the living room where the puppy is to drink out of that bowl.

She doesn't always finish her food though... and has gotten very particular about which kind of wet food. She was really really into it when I first switched them, different brands and flavors and textures didn't seem to matter, but now she will really only eat one kind. But maybe that's just because she's not feeling well...?

I've started weighing her weekly to make sure she isn't losing more weight. I will get her into the vet as soon as I can... actually, this might be one to put on the credit card. I don't know how much tests generally run (other than a fecal exam), do you think it'll be less than $300?

I do think that pickiness is a result of not feeling well, especially if that is not her normal behavior. I am glad you are going to get her to a vet. How much tests cost really depends on your area. If you don't have a vet you like already, you could call around and find out the prices of blood work and urinalysis.

We do have a vet, they're a little expensive but really good. Thanks for all your help. It's encouraging to know it sounds like something that will be easily treatable and isn't raising any serious red flags.

Just got done at the vets, it turns out there is something very wrong with her eyes. I didn't mention it here because I didn't think it was related, but I brought it up with our vet and she took a look. Her eyes react normally to light and the optic nerve seems normal, but if you move your finger quickly in front of them there's no response or blinking. And whenever she tries to play, she can't follow the toy and looks disoriented and gives up. They took a blood sample... I'm a little nervous. I also got a Feliway pheramone diffuser and a different flea medication, just in case either helps with the over grooming. We might have to take her to an eye doctor, but we'll see what the lab results say...

Oh, I am sorry to hear about her eyes. Please keep us posted on the test results. Many many vibes for her and hugs for you.