My cat is 11 years old. Last year, we got a new kitten and she seems to have gotten over her jealousy well. Lately, I have discovered that she has licked about 4 inches of her fur off her leg. All there is left is skin in the spot. I try to push her head away when she licks that area, but the fur doesn't seem to be growing back. I am really worried about what is wrong with her. Is it a disease or anxiousness or being old? Please help!!!!!!!!!
2007-01-01 03:21:22 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Sounds like a hotspot. Animals do this when they're nervous. They start a habit and can't stop it. It can get to the point that they lick even the skin off and it becomes an open sore. Check with your vet first to make sure it's not an injury or allergy. If it's not they may recommend a treatment. What I've found works is bandaging the area. They can't reach it then so it has time to heal and usually once it is healed the animals gets over it. Make sure you're spending enough time with kitty too. A jealous, stressed cat is a neurotic cat!
2007-01-01 04:07:20 · answer #1 · answered by Lauren 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat used to do this - lick and lick the inside of his legs and belly until there was no more fur left - I ean he was bald in large areas! I tried numerous products (shampoos, liguid that you pour onto their food, etc.). Then I found out that he was allergic to flea bited and that was what cause the balding... and he was licking to "scratch" the itch. I got rid of the fleas and the fur went back to normal. Sometimes all it takes is ONE flea bite and then the spot will itch and itch and the cat will lick and lick and the fur falls off. Check your cat for any sign of fleas. Also I hear a raw egg beaten lightly and offered to cat to lap up does wonders for their skin and fur.
2007-01-01 11:30:23 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat was 15 when my wife got a puppy. She started to do the same kind of thing. They do make anti-anxiety pills for cats, but I didn't use them. I made sure I gave extra attention to my cat, which seemed to help. She lived 4 more happy years, and never had a problem once I started paying extra attention to her.
2007-01-01 11:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by Paul H 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i used to have an older cat who reacted like that by licking all the hair off his lower back/butt area...all because of the new puppy! Had him on tranquilizers for a while cuz he was so traumatized by the whole ordeal.
2007-01-01 17:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by mom_a_Joy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What have you changed in her environment? New food? She might be having an allergic reaction. If she goes outside, she might have picked up fleas and be really sensitive to them.
If you have changed food, go back to the old food. If you see fleas go to the vet and get a good flea treatment Ask for Revolution. It kills every thing.
If changing food doesn't help, go to vet.
2007-01-01 11:52:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats handle stress differently and this may be her way of dealing with it. I would talk to a vet and see what he thinks. I would also do more to ease the stress she is experiencing...try Feliway a great product to reduce stress.
2007-01-01 13:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by kathyk214 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to take her to the vet and really find out , its hard to say, because some animals do that from nervous habit , or she may have a sore ....... you cant be sure unless you take her to the doctor
2007-01-01 11:30:43 · answer #7 · answered by Pompin Jo 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Please take her to your veterinarian for a check up and a diagnosis. Without a doctor's check you and anyone else would just be guessing. If you had a medical problem would you want just anyone offering a solution? Wouldn't you see your doctor?
2007-01-01 11:35:12 · answer #8 · answered by shell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet. Her skin might be infected or something.
2007-01-01 11:30:43 · answer #9 · answered by Ceyra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your cat lived her life, you should talk to her and find out where she wants to die, or ask her about her last wishes :(
2007-01-01 11:24:41 · answer #10 · answered by Apollo 4 · 0⤊ 7⤋