Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat has a sudden bald spot with rough skin. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Siamese | Male | unneutered

Hello and I hope you’re doing well , last night I was playing with my cat his fur had no missing patch and was all fine , woke up today morning and my cat had that missing patch , the texture of the skin in that area is a bit rough and he has no problems grooming it which means it doesn’t hurt him , but I’m really wondering if it’s a skin issue or he got caught up in a place where he lost it or I don’t actually know cause that happened during the night , wishing to be responded .

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 9th, 2019

Good morning! I'm doing well thank you, I hope you are doing well too. During the night, Leo could have injured himself. I'd just keep an eye on it for now. If it gets worse or starts to bother him, then have him seen by a vet.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a small bald spot and I’m wondering if I should be concerned. I’m a college student and don’t have the funds to spend on a visit just to find out if it could be something more serious or not.
It looks like an injury; not serious. You can do nothing at this time if it is not bothering him and see if it heals. If it is bothering him (like he is scratching at it), you will need to put a cone collar on him and apply a topical to it so it can heal. ( amazon.com/Vivifying-Adjustable-Lightweight-Elizabethan-Puppies/dp/B01MUBIRQM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cat+surgical+collar&qid=1581627465&sr=8-1 ) ( https://www.amazon.com/Vetericyn-Antimicrobial-Irritated-Non-Toxic-Ingested/dp/B07YL8GT2X/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=vetericyn+wound+cat&qid=1581627538&sr=8-7 )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my cat just had a patch of fur go missing from the back of his neck, it was a little bit oozy but I don’t know what’s happened? He’s an indoor 8 year old ginger and is in good health as far as I am aware. The patch doesn’t seem to be affecting him
It is very hard to know what caused this but it could be just an injury. I wouldn't be overly concerned about this right now. I suggest you just apply a topical antibiotic ointment/cream twice a day and if after a week or so it doesn't start to look better you should have your vet check him out. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Found small bald spot with tiny skin tag (I think) growth on 4 year old male cat. Just wondering if this is a normal occurrence or something to look into further?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! If this happens to be in the abdomen, it is possible that this is a nipple. If not, then yes I agree it could be a growth. In that case, I recommend you have Leo evaluated by your veterinarian for a test called fine needle aspirate which is an easy, quick and pain-free procedure which in the majority of cases will help reach a diagnosis to identify what the best course of action is based on the findings. In some cases, a biopsy is needed for a diagnosis. If it truly is benign then removal is not necessarily recommended. However, if it is malignant and it has not spread to other locations, then surgical removal is recommended. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has been acting normal but has some skin irritation. the fur around it is now gone. It looks like a bite. He is an indoor cat with all of his shots and my other cat does not have any similar symptoms. He doesn’t seem effected at all but I worr
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my outdoor cat came home tonight and I noticed a bold spot of around 3cm in diameter on his back. The skin seems to be fine, not infected, red, dry, itchy or scaly. He is not bothered about it, doesn't lick, he is behaving as normal, no lethargy
That spot Bazi could be several things including fleas, allergies, skin mites, bacterial infection, ringworm (which humans can get) or a fight (fur ripped out). There are a couple things you can do at home and they can help but they may not address the underlying cause. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing his diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can wash the lesion once a day with a hypoallergenic wipe. Also protect the area from trauma. If the lesion does not start improving within a week or if it is getting worse, have him examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! This morning I noticed my cat is missing a large patch of fur, I know it wasn’t there yesterday. He’s a strictly indoor cat. I’m wondering if he had just got stuck under something in my house. I thought I should get another opinion online since m
This definitely looks likes a trauma area, where the hair was ripped out. I would monitor it for now, especially if Reggie doesn't seem to be bothered by it. It should start to heal and fill in if this was an isolated incident. However, if you start to notice other bald patches pop up, then a vet visit is needed to have some skin testing done and find out the underlying cause (fleas, mites, etc). I hope that Reggie recovers well. Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cat Skin irritation: Right lower side. Cat hair loss 2" area due to licking area. Gave Flea bath with Dawn- cat kept licking area which got larger- 1" to 2". Why?
This is probably caused by an allergic reaction. first of all make sure you de-flea Leo regularly every month with a high quality spot on (ex. Advantage, i do not recommend flea baths) as fleas are by far the most common reason for these reactions. If the fleas are not the problem, it could be an allergic reaction to food or an environmental factor. this is more complicated to treat and will sometimes require medications such as Steroids, anti histamines or cyclosporin in order to stop the allergy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What does this bald spot on my cat mean? Should I take her to a vet or could it be from her fighting the other car at our household? The spot has been there for a couple of days and she's been acting normal.
It could be from fighting with another cat in the house. It doesn't look infected or sore, so I'd just keep an eye on it for now. If it gets worse, appears infected, or starts to bother Ashley, then I'd have her seen by a vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a bald spot on his neck that has some black dots in it, what do I do?
Thank you for the pictures, they are very helpful. I see what you mean about the bald spot and black spots. The black spots could be due to flea dirt, and scratching the area could cause the bald spot. Fleas don't live on the cat, they actually live in the environment. They just jump on the cat to feed and then jump off, so he could have fleas even if you don't see any. Make sure he is up to date on his flea treatments if he's not. Should he be up to date on his flea treatments, then this could be due to an injury (the black spots could be dirt), or an infection of the skin. In this case, you have two options. You could take him into the vet to get it examined and diagnosed, or you could watch it. Should you chose to watch it, take him into the vet if it gets bigger, appears infected, or starts to bother him. I don't think any immediate treatment is needed should you chose to watch the area. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My fluffy cat has little bumps like dry spots on his skin. Unfortunately due to his mass of fur I can't really see them. Do you know what they could be?
Leo is a handsome guy! It may be that he has some allergies causing the bumps. It could also be an infection in his skin. Get him in to see your vet when you are able. If his fur is very matted and preventing you from being able to actually see the skin, it would definitely be advisable to take him in either to your vet if they have a groomer, or to an outside groomer and have him shaved and bathed. This will get good airflow down to the skin which can alleviate irritation if the hair has been matted a great deal. Thanks for asking Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Cat Allergy & Itch Relief Cat Health & Wellness Cat First Aid Cat Grooming & Bathing Skin & Coat Supplements for Cats Cat Nail Care Cat Shampoo & Conditioners Cat Ear & Eye Care Remedy+Recovery Cat Grooming & Bathing Dermabliss Cat Grooming & Bathing Vet's Best Cat Grooming & Bathing Dermalone Cat Medicine CAT by Dr Lisa Cat Grooming & Bathing PetAlive Cat Allergy & Itch Relief Curicyn Cat Grooming & Bathing Suitical Cat Health & Wellness Well & Good Cat First Aid Vetnique Labs Cat Grooming & Bathing
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored