Cat hair loss may be a normal phenomenon and may occur in different areas of the body or all over the body. The cat hair loss above eyes is also known as preauricular alopecia or facial hair loss is common and does not point to a medical condition.
Preauricular Alopecia
The preauricular (meaning before the ear area) alopecia or facial alopecia is when the cat loses hair and has bald patches between the eyes and the ears or above the eyes. This hair loss is a normal process and may occur in cats of all ages, male and females.
The preauricular alopecia is more common in cats with short hair and occurs preponderantly after the age of 1 or 2.
The condition is not a cause for worry and doesn’t signal a disease. Research has shown that the preauricular hair loss occurs due to the process of aging; young kittens have the same amount of hair spread over their bodies; with aging, the hair may thin in certain areas and this may include the facial area, especially above the eyes.
Rule Out Other Possible Hair Loss Causes
You should check for any abnormal lesions or wounds above the eyes or the facial area, which may also cause hair loss. The hair loss may also be caused by the presence of the ringworm, which is a fungus that will cause hair loss in circular shape and the cat will also have other symptoms such as itchiness or secondary infections. The ringworm is more likely to cause bald patches in other areas of the body as well.
However, if you rule out lesions and a fungal infection, the hair loss is normal. The hair should grow back.
Cat Alopecia
Cat alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss and can be due to different medical conditions or may be hereditary. Cats may also shed hair on a regular basis, but this shouldn’t cause bald patches.
The medical conditions that cause cat alopecia include:
- Allergies (may be inhalant or contact allergies)
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, that will cause an abnormal amount of thyroid hormones, which can lead to hair loss
- Bacterial infections
- Cushing’s disease
- Feline acquired symmetrical alopecia, which is a hereditary condition and will cause hair loss in the back, abdominal and genital areas
- Folliculitis, which also causes the formation of crusts and the cat will experience itchiness
- Granulomas, which are hard nodules that may occur under the skin and can cause ulcers and secondary infections
- Seborrhea which causes dry or oily coat and scaly skin
However, these medical conditions will cause hair loss in different areas of the body and there will also be other symptoms, so if you only notice that your cat loses hair above the eyes, you don’t need to worry. Rule out skin lesions or infections and there is no need to visit a vet.
Should you notice any lesions or abnormal swellings and additional symptoms, you need to visit the vet