Why Is My Cat Pulling Its Hair Out? 7 Top Reasons

Why is my cat pulling its hair out? The 7 top reasons include stress, parasites, allergies, skin infections, pain, hormonal changes, and overgrooming.

Why Is My Cat Pulling Its Hair Out?

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my cat pulling its hair out?”, the simple answer is that something is making your cat itchy, stressed, or uncomfortable.

The most common reasons include fleas, food allergies, skin infections, pain, or anxiety. Cats don’t usually overgroom for no reason — it’s a clear signal that something is wrong.

In mild cases, it’s worth monitoring, but if your cat’s skin is bleeding, raw, or suddenly bald, it’s best to book a vet visit right away for proper diagnosis.

My Cat’s Pulling Their Hair Out – What Should I Do?

If your cat is pulling its hair out, it could be stress, boredom, or a medical issue like fleas, allergies, or infections. Some cats overgroom when they feel anxious, especially after changes in their home.

Others may have hidden pain or skin problems. Watch for bald spots, redness, or constant licking. Provide toys, scratching posts, and a calm space to reduce stress.

Regular grooming and a healthy diet also help. If the problem continues or worsens, visit your vet to rule out health issues and get proper treatment before it leads to severe skin damage.

Why Is My Cat Pulling Its Hair Out? 7 Common Causes

Causes	How It Affects Cats
1. Fleas & Flea Allergy	Flea bites cause itching; some cats react strongly and pull fur.
2. Food or Dust Allergies	Allergies to food, pollen, or dust trigger red, itchy skin.
3. Parasites & Infections	Mites, ringworm, or germs irritate skin, leading to overgrooming.
4. Pain or Injury	Cats lick sore joints or wounds, causing fur loss.
5. Stress & Worry	Anxiety or boredom leads to excessive grooming (psychogenic alopecia).
6. Hormone Problems	Imbalanced hormones can cause hair thinning and licking.
7. Habit or Boredom	Fur pulling continues out of habit, even after recovery.

Cat Pulling Hair Out: What It Really Means

Cats are natural groomers, but when grooming turns into biting or pulling fur, it’s often a warning sign. Hair loss in cats can stem from allergies, fleas, or skin infections, but it may also point to stress, anxiety, or hidden pain.

Some cats over-groom to soothe themselves when their environment changes or when they’re bored. Others may lick areas that hurt, such as arthritic joints.

If your cat shows bald patches, red skin, or persistent licking, it’s time to see your veterinarian to rule out medical causes and protect your pet’s comfort and health.

How Vets Find the Cause

A vet is the best person to know why your cat is pulling its hair out. The vet will ask questions about food, home, and stress. They may check for fleas, mites, or ringworm.

Sometimes the vet does tests like skin scrapings or blood tests. These tests help find if the problem is allergies, pain, or sickness.

If no health problem is found, the vet may attribute the issue to stress or worry. This helps choose the proper treatment.

Treatments That Help

The treatment depends on the cause. If your cat has fleas, the vet will give them flea medicine. If it’s an infection, they use creams or pills. For allergies, the vet may try a special food.

Cats in pain may need medicine to feel better. If it’s from stress, the vet may suggest more play, toys, and a calm home.

Sometimes vets use pheromone sprays or mild anxiety medicine. With the proper care, the fur grows back and your cat feels happy and healthy again.

Home Care & Prevention

You can help your cat at home. Use flea medicine regularly to prevent fleas from coming back. Give your cat fun toys, scratch posts, and playtime to stop boredom.

Keep the home quiet and safe, as cats prefer calm environments. A good diet also keeps the skin and coat healthy. Try to keep a daily routine so your cat feels safe and less stressed.

These small steps can stop your cat from pulling its hair out again.

Red Flags — Call a Vet If…

Call a vet quickly if your cat has bleeding skin, open sores, or big bald spots. If your cat is very tired, not eating, losing weight, or grooming nonstop, it’s a sign of something serious.

Do not wait, because the problem can get worse. A vet can find the cause and give the right help so your cat feels better fast.

FAQ — Easy to Read

Q1: Why is my cat pulling its hair out?
Cats often pull fur because of fleas, allergies, pain, or stress.

Q2: Can stress make my cat lose fur?
Yes. Stress, fear, or boredom can lead to overgrooming and bald spots.

Q3: Will my cat’s fur grow back?
In most cases, fur grows back once the problem is treated.

Q4: Can I catch this from my cat?
Only ringworm can spread to humans. Fleas may bite people, but they do not live on us.

Q5: When should I visit the vet?
If your cat has bleeding skin, open sores, sudden bald patches, or seems unwell, it may be a sign of a health issue.