My cat is losing fur - allergy?

olive

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My 6 year old female is losing her fur.  Started with her inside hind legs and around the base of her tail.  I took her to the vet and he gave her an allergy shot which worked for about a month.  Then she stared losing it again and now her whole body is losing fur.  I started her on Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Indoor duck and potato recipe - no corn, no wheat, no dairy,no soy, no eggs.  It's been 5 weeks and she hasn't improved, she's slowly losing fur all over. 

How long should it be until I see it improvement, (if it is a food allergy)?  How long should I keep her on this food?   I read anywhere from 4  to 12 weeks.  By 5 weeks should it be improving? 

Any other food suggestions?

Summer is a happy cat, no changes in her environment or cat litter, no fleas - so i'm thinking it's food that's causing this.  

The vet said if she improves with the allergy shot, then it's allergies.  Since she improved, I'm thinking it's food.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.
 

goholistic

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Hi @Olive.  
  Welcome to TCS, although I'm sorry they are under these circumstances.

If you saw improvement on the allergy shot, my guess is that it is also likely an allergy.

What food was she eating before the Blue Basics?

Is she licking the inside of her hind legs until they are bare? Or is she just losing the hair there? Is her belly also losing fur? Does she have crusty scabs or lesions?

Cats can develop allergies to pretty much anything at any point in their life. In my experience, losing hair around the inside of the hind legs can often be associated with a litter allergy or other kind of contact allergy (chemicals, wool, latex, plastic, etc.). What kind of litter are you using? Any new bedding? Food allergies often produce significant scratching around the face and neck. Is she also scratching?
 
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olive

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Hi GoHolistic! 


She was eating Purina Complete.

She is licking her belly and inside legs.  She had some raw spots. The vet said they were from her licking.  It started with her inside hind legs, base around tail and her belly.  She is using the same bedding, I haven't changed detergent.  I'm using pine pellets for her litter.  Maybe I should start looking for an allergy-free cat litter.

Thanks for your concern and input!  
 

goholistic

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Okay...Purina Cat Chow Complete and Blue Basics Duck & Potato have very different ingredients, so I would think she would have improved on the Blue if she was reacting to the Purina. 


Since you're already using pine pellets, you could try something like Yesterday's News, which is also in a pellet shape and made of recycled paper. Here's the website: http://www.yesterdaysnews.com/Products/CatLitter.aspx. You, as the caretaker, probably won't like this litter because it doesn't mask smells as well, but you'd just have to try it for several weeks and see if it helps. Some litters are made out of wheat, corn, and walnut shells, but may also be potential allergens. Always get unscented.

There is a condition called Psychogenic Alopecia (overgrooming), which is basically caused by stress. Here's a good article about it: http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/psychogenic-alopecia-in-cats/. Has anything changed in your kitty's life that may have caused her some stress and anxiety?
 
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olive

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That's great info, GoHolistic! Thank you!

I'll try the recycled paper.  I have tried once in the past.  

Nothing has changed in her life.  And she's the same sweet cat.  I don't think she has any stress or anxiety.  We have 4 of her kittens - they are 5 years old now! ( I still call them "kittens" 
) She is very happy with them.

I truly thank you for your input!.  I'll read they article.
 

goholistic

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As you know, allergies can take awhile to subside. So you may need to keep up with the Yesterday's News for at least 6-8 weeks before you start seeing improvement, IF the litter is the problem.

Also, just a side note, if she is getting an all dry diet, I would strongly encourage introducing some wet food. If you're sticking with duck, Blue Basics has a limited ingredient duck & potato wet food (http://www.bluebuffalo.com/cat-food/basics-grain-free-duck-canned), and Nature's Variety Instinct has a limited ingredient duck wet food (http://www.naturesvariety.com/Instinct/cat/can/LIDDuck).

When I had my Sebastian on a novel protein diet for five months, we went with rabbit. He was eating the Royal Canin Selected Protein PR (pea and rabbit) canned food.

Keep us posted!
 
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olive

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I'll keep you posted! 

Thank you!  
 
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olive

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Summer's still losing fur. I took her to the vet and they are testing her for allergies. We will see...:dk:
 

goholistic

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Oh no! I'm so sorry Olive is still losing her fur. Did you try the different litter? Is your vet still thinking it's allergies vs. psychological/behavioral?
 

mycatwasthebest

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is she "losing" fur or licking it off from everywhere? I hope you and your vet can find the cause either way.
 
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olive

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I got the results today.  It's allergies!  She's highly allergic to fleas and dandilion - I can't even find fleas on her, but I know they must be around.   And a few other mild allergies like sagebrush.  I need to keep up with her flea control, spray the yard and where she sleeps, keep her inside and give her a bath 2 -3 times a month with a hypoallergenic shampoo.  I'm glad we have some answers!  
 
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