Ask the Pet Nutrition Service: Could Certain Food Cause Hair Loss in Cats?

I own a 2 ½-year-old male cat. About three months ago, he started losing fur on his hind legs, ears, eyes and stomach. I thought it might be the milk on his cat food. Could pets lose fur from certain ingredients in their food?
—Karolina

Thanks for contacting the ASPCA Pet Nutrition Service, Karolina. Sometimes food allergies can cause hair loss in cats, but there are other potential causes that may be more likely reasons for your cat’s hair loss.

We recommend that you take your cat to the veterinarian for an examination and diagnostic tests. Your veterinarian may want to rule out conditions such as fleas, mites, fungal infection, inhalant allergies, autoimmune disease and endocrine disease. Please make that visit soon, especially if your cat seems itchy or uncomfortable.