Cat has a very sensitive back?

Question

I have a tabby, she's obiese but I've been trying to help her on that. She's always had a sensitive spot just before her tail on her back. But recently she's become more and more sensitive all the way from her mid section to her tail. There doesn't appear to be a rash, but when I pet her I have to stop half way down. When I do pass over the spot, she meows, sticks out her tongue and/or tries to nip at me. Does anyone know whats wrong and what I can do about it? Thanks

Answer 1

What your describing is called feline hyperesthesia (fancy, huh?). It's also referred to as rippling skin syndrome. It can be accompanied with exaggerated tail movements, vocalizing, arched back and general agitation. Sometimes it occurs without cause, but often it's spurred on my petting or scratching of the back.

There can be a number of causes for this reaction, and the final diagnosis is made by excluding each potential problem, one by one. It can be a dermatological problem, like parasites. It can be a result of a systemic problem, like an overactive thyroid gland. Sometimes, particularly if the rippling starts without any outside stimulus, it can be a petit mal seizure. Diseases that affect the central nervous system can cause hyperesthesia. It can be an anxiety-induced behavior. Occasionally, a painful condition like arthritis or constipation can be the culprit. Sometimes it can be something that you'd never think of - I saw one cat who had hyperesthesia who had very full anal glands. After they were expressed, he was fine - they were causing him a lot of discomfort when full and caused the rippling. Certainly not to say that your cat has these issues, but these are some of the more common causes.

If she's overweight, there's a good chance she's got limited access to the rear when it comes to grooming (think if you've got an itch that you can never scratch because you can't reach, and all the sudden sometime starts rubbing it - you'd go nuts). If she's a particularly gentle cat, you can purchase some pet shampoo from your vet's office to soothe her skin and coat (they're usually oatmeal shampoos or a type called anti-pruritic). Sometimes cats have to be put on anxiety medication to lower their threshold for stimulus, and this can help to keep their skin more calm.

Your best bet is to run her into your vet's office to make sure she doesn't have any underlying medical reason for the twitching. You're right to get some weight off her - it will most likely help. In the meantime, the petting that causes her to get agitated should be avoided. I hope you have some luck resolving her issue. As funny as it can be to get her fired up a little (you know it is!), it's best if you only pet the spots she's calm about until you identify her problem.

Answer 2

Lots of cats have sensitive spots like this. Normally, it's nothing to be concerned about -- pretty common, really. However, because it COULD be caused by a skin disease, parasite, or other unpleasant cause, you should take the cat to the vet just to be safe. Most likely, there's nothing major wrong and the vet costs will be nominal -- but you'll have peace of mind. And if there IS something wrong you'll have caught it early and spared your cat undo pain (and yourself excessive vet bills!)

Answer 3

Good cat food means quality food. Canned foods w/o gravy are best and top of the line would be something like wellness or merrick canned. Check out the imgrediants on the labels. You want the 1st to be a muscle meat like chicken not 'meal 'or liver. The 1st 3 ingrediants should not have corn or fillers. like that. Also, you can add a bit of acidoupholus to the food (available in health food stores)

Answer 4

My cat does not like being held.
After a while I can only stroke her head, if I touch the back or any part of the body she twitches violently and becomes aggressive. As soon as she is put down, the sensitivity issue mysteriously disappears!

Answer 5

It might be sensitive because she plump..I had the very same promblem with my cat..I took her to the vet he told me wash that area with a damp cloth she maybe unable to reach that spot like she use to and her skin is slofting get it good and damp she probably just needs help grooming

Answer 6

this also could be food alergy. You might want to change your food to a senstive skin formula. this is true that cats have sweet spots the makes them purr or knead when rubbved there. But to the point the cat nip at you? Might want to change to hight quality food and get some skin spray.

Answer 7

,this is normal, don't worry, near the tail is a spot in which the male cat grabs at if she is in heat she will like to be touched there, if not she wont