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It is necessary to regularly check your cat's skin for problems that may occur.
Stroke your cat gently and check the skin for any roughness or lumps.
If you feel anything, gently push the fur apart, so that you can see and examine the skin.
This should become part of your routine and done regularly.
This will help the bonding with your cat and help you learn about your cat's body so you should be able to notice anything unusual fairly quickly.
You will soon become skilled at knowing what is ordinary or normal and what isn't.
There are diseases and conditions which can cause a cat to lose hair.
Some of these may be considered normal while others can indicate the presence of a serious disease.
Facial alopeci is normal hair loss between the eyes and ears.
This decreased density of hair starts when cats are about 14 to 20 months old and is more visible in short-haired, dark colored cats.
It is similar to us humans becoming balder as we age.
There is no need to worry about this unless you also notice signs of skin problems such as redness or scaling.
Flea allergy dermatitis or flea bite hypersensitivity is a severe reaction to the saliva of fleas.
You may notice your cat scratching much more than normal and find fleas when you examine the fur.
You will probably also see redness of the skin, occasional infection or 'hot spots' as well as some hair loss.
If infection is present, take your cat to the vet as antibiotics will be necessary to take care of the infection and perhaps some antihistamines to control the itching.
Your vet will be able to tell you about the best way to control the fleas and prevent further outbreaks.
If no infection is present, a simple flea collar from the supermarket will probably do the job.
Be prepared for some initial increased scratching as the fleas try to escape the ingredients in the flea collar.
Make sure all your cat's bedding is washed in hot water and the surrounding area is washed with a disinfectant or vacuumed if a carpet.
Some cats may contract Atopy which is an allergic reaction to pollutants in the environment such as pollen, mould or house dust mites.
If you notice that your cat has inflamed ears, is licking his/her feet a lot or has the symptoms of fleas without fleas being present, it is advisable to make a trip to the vet.
He can offer the best advice on treatment for this condition.
Scabies or Mange is caused by a mite which can live on your cat.
The technical name for this mite is Notoedres cati.
The female of this nasty parasite lays her eggs under the skin.
It takes between 3-8 days for the eggs to hatch into larvae and then mature into nymphs and then adults over a 2-3 week period.
Notoedres is more prevalent in outdoor cats who come in contact with an infected cat.
It can be found on cats any breed or age.
If you notice your cat has started scratching and losing hair, take her to the vet immediately as he will be able to prescribe the correct treatment.
Don't try to treat this yourself as you may end up doing more damage than good.
Cheyletiellosis is a skin disorder and usually caused by mites.
It is very contagious from cat to cat and can also spread to humans.
The symptoms are severe itching and scaling or flaking of the skin.
You might wonder if your cat has dandruff and if you see this, a trip to the vet is advisable.
Many skin disorders are caused by your cat having an allergy to certain foods, chemicals used for cleaning in the home, any pesticides being used (such as fly spray), bites from fleas or mites, they can usually be easily managed and treated at home.
However, early detection is still important.
A few minutes spent checking your cat each day could very well put a stop to days of distress for you both as well as extra expense.
Remember, it is important to make time on a regular basis to examine your cat's skin closely for anything that may be wrong.
It is also a wonderful way to bond with your cat.
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