My cat is losing hair on her lower half. Is it stress or fleas?

[Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/) are the most common cause of hair loss and [excessive grooming in cats](https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help), but there are several other medical causes as well - including [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/), bacterial or fungal infections, or skin mites. I would definitely start your cat on a good monthly spot-on product such as [Advantage II](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat/cat-flea-and-tick/cat-flea-and-tick-drops/advantage-ii-once-a-month-cat-and-kitten-topical-flea-treatment-over-9-lbs) to make sure fleas are not the problem - you can get this over the counter at many pet stores. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you will need to have your cat examined by a vet - he/she can do some testing if needed to diagnose the problem and get your kitty the appropriate prescription medications to treat it. Behavioral causes, such as stress or anxiety, can also lead to overgrooming. [Calming supplements](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-training/cat-training-calming-aids/calming-cat-supplements) or [pheromone products](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/brand/feliway) can be found at the lcocal Petco. If these do not improve the condition, your veterinarian may recommend prescription strength remedies.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It could be stress-related overgrooming. Some cats are prone to get stressed and as a result they lick themselves excessively. Moving a house can be enough stress for Kai to show this behaviour. Please, try Feliway diffuser for 5-7 days as it often helps in this situations. However, if there is no improvement you should take Kai to your local vets for an appointment.

This is usually from overgrooming due to stress. In the photo the skin looks normal and you are correct there isn’t any evidence of fleas. Often this starts with a change in the household from a new pet, new person or moving. You can try using a pheromone diffuser like Feliway to help her relax and there are calming supplements like Solliquin that can reduce her anxiety as well. Make sure she has a quiet, private place so she can escape any commotion in your house. As far as treatment goes giving an anti inflammation injection or pills will let the fur grow back but unless the reason is addressed this may recur. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lola.

The most common reason that we will see hair loss at the base of the tail is a flea allergy. Even if you do not see fleas on Benny, it is still possible. Cats are very good groomers, so they will often groom the fleas off themselves before we can find them. And if a cat has a flea allergy, they only need 1 flea bite per week to keep them itchy. So, my first recommendation for Benny is to make sure that all animals in the house are on regular flea prevention. I am attaching an article on flea control that also has a link to flea control products. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1575 If you are not seeing improvement with a flea prevention or notice any bumps or redness in that area, I would be certain to have your veterinarian examine Benny to see what else might be going on. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hello. There can be a couple of reasons for the hair loss. One could be from allergies, or this could be a type of psychogenic hair pulling, a behavioral problem. For the most part, this is not dangerous, but you do want your vet to evaluate Cleopatra. If it is an allergic reaction, it can be easily treated. If it is psychological, you do want to work through the reasons she has begun pulling out her hair. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello! Cats commonly cope with anxiety by over-grooming themselves, usually in their belly region. I think you are exactly right that she has licked the fur off. In a fungal infection, I would expect to see redness of the skin, crusting, or discharge. The first thing I'd recommend for anxious kitties is a product called Feliway. It's a feline pheromone product that helps naturally calm cats. It can come in diffuser, spray, and collar forms. Cats also find great comfort in height. If she doesn't have many high places to perch around the house, that can be something that helps her interact more. There are also options of anxiolytic drugs, such as Prozac, that can help if you don't find success in the other options. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

That is a simple answer. Stress licking does not typically cause redness of the skin, just hair loss and patchy bald areas. However, a flea allergy will cause redness, bumps and hair thinning typically on the lower back or lower belly. I hope that this helps! Best of luck and take care.