Hi there,
Losing hair around the eyes isn't normal. It could be down to various skin conditions or parasites, particularly fleas.
If your cat had fleas not long ago, it’s possible she still has them, as alopecia (hair loss) is a common symptom of an infestation. Other signs include scratching, biting at certain parts of her body, over-grooming leading to hair loss, and the presence of scabs.
To check for fleas, inspect her coat: if you see tiny black specks, they might be flea dirt. You can pick these specks up and dampen them on a white surface; if they turn a reddish-brown colour, it confirms they are indeed flea droppings, as they contain blood. If you’re in any doubt, I’d recommend seeing your vet.
About 95% of fleas exist as larvae and eggs in your home; only the adult fleas are actually found on your pets. This is why it’s essential to treat both your cat and your house.
If your cat has a flea infestation, you’ll need to use a flea treatment on her. Once she’s been treated, you should give your whole house a deep clean. In particular, you need to wash your bedding, rugs, curtains, cushions, etc., at 60°C, as well as any cat or dog beds, to get rid of all the eggs and larvae. Since larvae and eggs can survive for several weeks, keeping up with regular cleaning is the key to clearing fleas from your home.
Finally, once everything is cleaned, you can treat your home with household flea sprays (for targeted areas) and/or an automatic flea fogger (also known as a flea bomb) suited to the size of your house. You can use both at the same time: use the spray on key areas (beds, the sofa, where the cat sleeps...) and set off the fogger. Once the fogger is activated, you and your pets must leave the house for the duration of the treatment, then make sure to air the house out thoroughly afterwards.
Hope this helps,
Have a good day,
Marion
Translated from French
