What common symptom might indicate a dermatophyte infection in a cat?

Hair loss is a common symptom of a dermatophyte infection, particularly in cats. Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that infect the keratinized tissues of the skin, hair, and nails. When a cat is infected, the hair shafts can become brittle and break, leading to patches of alopecia (hair loss) on the skin. This can occur in localized areas or be more widespread depending on the severity of the infection.

While excessive licking can also occur as a cat tries to groom and soothe affected areas, it is not as specific to dermatophyte infections as hair loss. Changes in appetite and coughing are symptoms associated with other conditions and are less likely to correlate with a fungal skin infection. Therefore, hair loss serves as a clear indicator of a dermatophyte infection in cats, making it the most relevant symptom among the options provided.