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Why is my cat losing hair on his back end and pulling it out?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Male | neutered | 3 years and 5 months old

My cat is loosing hair on his back end near his tail. We think he may be pulling it out. We use coconut oil to help it grow back. He has had this before and hair and grown back but we are unsure what it is

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on February 3rd, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 4th, 2017

    It is unlikely mange and most allergy either from a bite or an allergy. There is nothing safe to give him over the counter but you can try to apply topically cortisone cream to the area and try not to let him lick it. I would also treat for fleas as this is a common problem with some cats and it is hard to see a flea on a cat

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