Psychogenic Alopecia in cats..any info?

Question

Has anyone ever dealt with this or have any info on it? I believe that this is what is going on with my cat. She has pulled out and licked off the fur on her belly and insides of her legs. She's always been a nervous cat... I cannot take her to the vet right now for all the testing to rule out other things. I truly believe it is stress! She has no redness, fleas, mites, bumps, sick acting anything going on.

Answer 1

If you believe this is the problem, she is responding to some kind of stress. Try to figure out what that trigger may be (did you move furniture, change brands of litter, have repairs done, switch laundry detergent, was there a storm shortly before this started) and, if possible, undo it (go back to her old litter, for instance). If you don't know what the trigger is, just try to make her more comfortable.

Rescue Remedy or another herbal medication may help her to relax. Also, Comfort Zone is quite successful at reducing anxiety. Both can be purchased online and at most pet supply stores. Rescue Remedy was originally formulated for people, so it is also at natural food stores.

Do something with her daily that she finds enjoyable and calming. Sit in a quiet room and pet her, play with her, read to her, groom her, etc.

If she doesn't have one already, give her a cardboard box (cut an opening in the side and tape the top closed) with a pillow in it, a cube-shaped bed, or something else that she can snuggle in.

If these things don't work, it's time for a trip to the vet for some tests and/or possibly anti-anxiety medication.

Answer 2

You do have to consider that it might be a physical problem. What does she eat? Just dry food? Cats can develop allergies to chicken and corn and if that is the bulk of her diet you might consider a diet change. For dry food try CA Natural - that has chicken and brown rice. If she improves then it could be the corn that is bothering her. After a bag of that if things have not improved try Natural Balance venison and pea. Then you will be eliminating the chicken. Click on my name at the icon for a "recipe" for switching from one dry food to another successfully.
If you do the switching right it may take up to three months before you can pin down an allergy. In the meantime she will be well-fed with quality food. That way you will have a leg up with an elimination diet to rule out possible allergies. If it turns out to be the chicken or the corn there are also special veterinary diets that use duck and other protein sources for cats who can't handle chicken.

I think that Rescue Remedy should be in every household where there are pets - for emergencies and before you can get to the vet, or in a rescue situation.

However, if you go to www.spiritessence.com you can get a bottle of "Obsession Remedy" which Dr. Jean Hovfe concocts and it may be more to the point in this situation. It is just $16.95, no shipping or handling or taxes. It comes with instructions and I don't do it the way Dr. Hovfe suggests. I shake the bottle well and apply three to four drops to the cat's fur between her ears. It works just as well that way and you can be sure you have treated her. I would treat four times a day at least and use up the bottle. She might need it on a continuing basis maybe twice a day for quite a while.

Answer 3

your cat is probably very stressed out. any recent changes in diet, moving to a new house, or someone moving in or out of the house...can cause your cat to start licking his fur out. If your cat does it to both sides of her body...like right above her tail on her belly and the back of her legs and everything is even...called bilateral symmetry...which means equal on both sides this is from stress...or some people believe a horomone inbalance...The itching can be stopped with a simple injection but the effects can last from 3months until 3 years...so you may need to bring her back in for another round...GOODLUCK!