Cat fur loss due to uninary diet?
Discussion
Scraggy has developed a slightly bald patch on one of his front legs. And the back of one ear (So it's not grooming!).
Now we recently had to move him onto a diet that stops crystals forming in his urine.
Could the two be connected?
We don't have a full history for him. But we've had him a good few months and not had this before.
We'll probably wheel him around to the vet, but he's getting a pretty long rap sheet what with dental work, dodgy hips, and urine problems, so a home fix would be nice!
Now we recently had to move him onto a diet that stops crystals forming in his urine.
Could the two be connected?
We don't have a full history for him. But we've had him a good few months and not had this before.
We'll probably wheel him around to the vet, but he's getting a pretty long rap sheet what with dental work, dodgy hips, and urine problems, so a home fix would be nice!
One of our cats started developing bald patches on the joints of his back legs in October last year. Took him into the vets but as he wasn't grooming excessively and couldn't find anything untowards we were just keeping an eye on him.
In February he had to be rushed in with a complete urinary tract blockage due to crystals forming. When he came home he was switched to a 100% wet diet (previously they grazed on dry food at any time they wanted and had wet food at set times). Within a short time all the fur had grown back, and his coat is very shiny, thick and healthy looking, and compared to his old look (in photos) its clear to see the difference.
Id say it could be food related - im assuming the food he is on now is wet food?
In February he had to be rushed in with a complete urinary tract blockage due to crystals forming. When he came home he was switched to a 100% wet diet (previously they grazed on dry food at any time they wanted and had wet food at set times). Within a short time all the fur had grown back, and his coat is very shiny, thick and healthy looking, and compared to his old look (in photos) its clear to see the difference.
Id say it could be food related - im assuming the food he is on now is wet food?
Edited by MillenniumFalcon on Tuesday 29th May 22:20
Not ever seen a direct link between the diet and hair loss before.
However there is a link between overgrooming/ hair loss/ urinary problems due to stress.
Stress can be a very subtle condition in cats and often leads to urinary problems. I haven't any quick answers for you but if there is any chance it could be stress related (and this is not something you will have caused, more the state of mind of the cat)there are many things available that could help.
Also rule out fleas, mites etc.
Just out of interest has your cat been on steroids?
However there is a link between overgrooming/ hair loss/ urinary problems due to stress.
Stress can be a very subtle condition in cats and often leads to urinary problems. I haven't any quick answers for you but if there is any chance it could be stress related (and this is not something you will have caused, more the state of mind of the cat)there are many things available that could help.
Also rule out fleas, mites etc.
Just out of interest has your cat been on steroids?
bexVN said:
Not ever seen a direct link between the diet and hair loss before.
However there is a link between overgrooming/ hair loss/ urinary problems due to stress.
Stress can be a very subtle condition in cats and often leads to urinary problems. I haven't any quick answers for you but if there is any chance it could be stress related (and this is not something you will have caused, more the state of mind of the cat)there are many things available that could help.
Also rule out fleas, mites etc.
Just out of interest has your cat been on steroids?
No steroids since we have been looking after him. Occasional metacam to see if that helped with the pee problem.However there is a link between overgrooming/ hair loss/ urinary problems due to stress.
Stress can be a very subtle condition in cats and often leads to urinary problems. I haven't any quick answers for you but if there is any chance it could be stress related (and this is not something you will have caused, more the state of mind of the cat)there are many things available that could help.
Also rule out fleas, mites etc.
Just out of interest has your cat been on steroids?
We have a feliway diffuser on the landing where they tend to hang out overnight. And it's where the 2 cats fight in the morning (before feeding they'll have a punch up. But once fed Alan is happy to let Scraggy lick his face.)
We have lapsed on the flea treatment (spot on stuff you have to ask for...name escapes me), so we'll dose them both this evening.
We're running low on ideas to solve stress to be honest. And things are happier between them than they were originally, so you'd think stress levels are low.
Hayfever causing stress? He has had a few more sneezes recently...
If he gets urinary tract infections, it could well be down to be stress (Pepi gets it & over grooms). Even on the ear, by licking & then rubbing his paw over the area 
Try sprinkling Zyclene on his food - it's a herbal destresser
Put additional Feliway in other places that he hangs out
Check that he isn't spraying in the house (Pepi does when it hurts)
I've not tried the RC stuff, mine are both on Purina Vet Diet UR (they share everything!) they also get 1/2 pouch of wet am & pm.
Pepi is also on a daily dose of Cystaid
Try sprinkling Zyclene on his food - it's a herbal destresser
Put additional Feliway in other places that he hangs out
Check that he isn't spraying in the house (Pepi does when it hurts)
I've not tried the RC stuff, mine are both on Purina Vet Diet UR (they share everything!) they also get 1/2 pouch of wet am & pm.
Pepi is also on a daily dose of Cystaid
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