Cat licking fur off.

Leanne1812

Hello forum,

My kitty was poorly a couple of weeks ago, he wasn't eating and was sick yellow bile. After 3 nights spent at the vet getting tests and rehydrated he came home and is much better. We didn't really get to the bottom of his problem but the vet said his throat was inflamed thus probably making it painful for him to eat.

My slight concern now is that his rear leg was shaved and he is licking it and the bald patch is getting bigger. He is a cat who seems to fixate sometimes, he has a skin complaint which causes dry skin and itching in the summer months and he gnaws a lot. I don't think this has started to irritate him yet with the lower temperatures, not much sun this year. What I'm looking or is any suggestions to deter him from licking.The lampshade is an absolute last resort as he is the most miserable cat in the world whenever he has to wear it, which is usually at least once a year when he gnaws too much and won't let a wound heal. Possibly a cream or something that tastes bad to stop him licking?

Many thanks for any replies.

Jessycat

My cat is overgrooming. She had fleas a few months ago, we treated her and the house. When we took her to the vet, she was flea free and has remained this way, but has developed a habit of pulling her fur out. I have recently bought a gel called 'Dermasol'. It's meant to soothe the skin and have a nasty taste. She doesn't seem to be licking herself quite as much, but I've only been putting it on her for 3 days so it's hard to say if it's definitely working.

I ordered it from here: http://www.vitamingrocer.co.uk/SearchResults.asp?Search=dermasol&Submit=

If it doesn't work, it'll be back to the vets.

Leanne1812

Thanks Jessycat,

I will try it and hopefully it will help. Anything to avoid the dreaded lampshade.

arbroath_lass

My cat overgrooms too. She doesn't seem stressed but we have Feliway just in case, she doesn't have fleas (and is treated regularly), some websites have suggested a food allergy so we're in the process of moving her from Bozita to raw.

We've been using these http://www.petsathome.com/shop/itch-wipes-for-cats-and-dogs-x-30-by-petkin-29325?freeText=itchwipes&msg=MSG_SEARCH_ONE_MATCHING_PRODUCT

They've stopped her licking but I don't think they've solved the underlying problem.

We'll keep working on it. The vet doesn't seem to have any other ideas.

K9sandFelines

My cat also does this and her fur has fell out in clumps (she is persian), particularly around her stomach, where her fur is now very sparce. The vet said it is down to stress, as we are a multi-cat houseold; and advised Kalmaid and Feliway. We have both, but i haven't really noticed any difference. She still overgrooms but hasn't lost any more fur underneath (probably as she has no more left that can fall out).

I feed mine on Bozita, Animonda carny and Schmusi; one on Felix AGAIL/Whiskas Bite n Chew ( as she won't eat the aforementioned, and one on Applaws dry. She isn't particularly overfussed with the first three options.

I hope you find a solution. it's horrible seeing them like this isn't it.

Rev

My boy does this. Changing to a hypoallergenic grain free diet helped immensely. Hardest part is breaking the habit. He still attacks his legs sometimes. So will try some of the cream above.

qwerty79

Can you give your stressed cat a desperate area in the house where other cats can't go?
Offer catnip on a daily basis and toys for exercise.
Make sure kitty has somewhere to hide and somewhere to perch.
Make sure you keep the raw area clean and dry. You may need to cone kitty while the area heals and fur grows back as its a vicious circle of itch-healing itch-scratching. Something like a hibiscrub or triscrub 1:15 dilution in a spray bottle 2-3 Times a day will help keep it clean and itch stick to deal with the discomfort. Make sure you pat the affected area dry after cleaning (don't rub)
Give kitty access to cat grass.(easy to grow)
Make sure you keep kitty groomed and remember flea season is approaching.
If you can move over to a few good quality biscuits plus boiled/steamed/roast meat/boned fish to address any diet issues if diet concerns you. Though what you gave described sounds more stress than diet.

shelly

I can't help with the overgrooming but might have an alternative lampshade you could try.

When Pixie had a large wound on her belly she hated the hard plastic lampshade she was given, a fabric lampshade was a life saver!
It's called SoftE smart collar. You can tie it quite tight but have to leave room to slide 2 fingers under it and I had to double knot it because when Pixie tried to scratch it sometimes came undone.
The cone doesn't look much good but when it's on, the only place Pixie could reach to groom was the tip of her tail! She ended up licking the inside of the cone instead of her wound.

Here's a previous post I made which contains a couple of pics and more info http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=59503205&postcount=7

Hope that helps.

Jessycat

Just wanted to leave you some feedback on the Dermasol gel. It is definitely working, there is a notable amount fur now grown back on her belly. She doesn't mind me putting it on her either. Luckily, she's a very easy going kitty .