• Your cat looks to you to keep him healthy.cat image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
  
  Pet owners know that shedding is a fact of life with cats. But if that shedding has suddenly accelerated and your cat has bald spots, it is time for concern. There can be many causes for a cat's hair loss, including flea bites, stress and sunburn, all of which can be treated with home remedies.
  
  

Fleas

• Check where the cat is licking. If he is licking the base of his spine, it may be a signal that he has fleas. Look in the areas where he naps or plays. If there are small black, pepper-like bits scattered around those areas, they are likely flea eggs. Cats who scratch and lick their flea bites can remove their hair in the process.
  
  Comb your cat out nightly with a flea comb to remove any fleas that might be nesting on him. Snip pieces of a flea collar and put them inside your vacuum cleaner bag. Sprinkle borax around your house and vacuum your home regularly.
  
  

Stress

• Spend extra time with your pet if the licking is psychogenic or stress-related. One possible sign of self-licking is that the hair loss is symmetrical. Check her abdomen, back or groin, because those are the areas that cats are most likely to lick to self-sooth. If she is obsessively licking herself, spend more time with her each day, petting, cuddling and playing with her.
  
  

Sunburn

• Check the color of your cat's ears. If they are white, your pet is at risk for solar dermatosis or sunburn. Examine the areas where he is losing his hair and if you see redness or scaling, especially around his ears and nose. Keep your cat out of the sun, especially between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and apply sunblock when he goes outside.