Why is my cat pulling her fur out?

According to veterinarian Arnold Plotnick, a cat that pulls her fur out is experiencing a medical problem, such as mites, or a psychological problem caused by stress and fear. Excessive grooming also makes a cat susceptible to hair loss.

Jean Hofve, DVM, cites flea-bite allergies as the most common cause of hair pulling. However, she strongly advises against flea collars because they are annoying and harmful. Dr. Patrick Tate states that metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, cause anxiety in felines, which is a primary cause of fur pulling. A veterinarian can diagnose and prescribe a remedy for a particular cat's discomfort.