My cat is losing more hair than normal. What should I do?

The pattern you describe is classic for a cat over-grooming, usually because of allergies of some sort. Just as in people, animals that have never had an allergy can develop them at any time in their life.

In pets, allergies express as itchiness rather than sneezing and runny eyes. The problem can be cause by environmental factors (molds, pollen, chemicals) or by ingested proteins (food). Food allergies are not nearly as common as folks would have you believe, but since you mention a recent diet change, it wouldn’t hurt to switch her back.

Antihistamines don’t tend to work well in cats; in severe cases (where the cat is actually damaging the skin), steroids will often be prescribed to reduce itching. The most common treatment is a long acting steroid injection that lasts nearly 3 months. Use caution when using steroids! An occasional injection once a year or so is usually fine, but long term use has serious side effects.

The less common reason for over grooming is psychogenic alopecia, which is usually a high-strung, stressed animal exhibiting neurotic behavior. This condition is more difficult to deal with and usually requires work with a behaviorist.

Could she be overgrooming? Some cats clean themselves obsessively, to the point where they get bald spots. Either way, you should go to the vet as soon as you can.

p.s. Make sure to keep her on flea control (Frontline or Advantage) year round, regardless of whether or not you see fleas. An animal allergic to the proteins in the saliva of a flea will itch for weeks from the bite of a single flea. (Never use TopSpot or any other Hartz product!)

She could have picked up mange

SIMPLE.Take her to the vet

@lemming Mange is much more commonly seen in dogs, and typically only occurs in immune suppressed or otherwise unhealthy animals.

I completely agree with @syz.

Check this link out ..hope it helps :)

That happened to my cat when she had a flea allergy. I took her to the vet, and he prescribed special baths in slimy green goop. It was an ordeal for both of us, but it helped.