A couple that live at the retirement home where I work have a kitty about 2 years old. She has a few small areas of missing hair at the base of her tail. Not bald, but really short like it was done with clippers. It looks like a mini brush cut. The poor thing is stuck in that tiny room 24/7 with nothing to do. The couple also have the heat cranked up really high. Could kitty be stressed? She only has missing hair in this one spot. The skin isn't at all red. Could a too warm environment do this? Kitty doesn't seem too itchy & I don't see her grooming excessively. It has gotten worse this winter as they turn the heat up. Their daughter will be taking her to the vet soon but I'm curious in the meantime. Any ideas?
PS the couple will be moving within the next few months & a new home has already been arranged, so poor kitty won't be cooped up much longer.
2007-01-27 17:55:09 · 5 answers · asked by ebonyruffles 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm pleased to hear that kitty will soon be moving to a new home that will hopefully provide some relief from the current situation. Could be that the cat has developed a sensitivity to something and could be grooming excessively in that area from sheer boredom, maybe the heat is stressing her as well.
2007-01-27 18:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by patti duke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes some cats do overgroom themselves when they are bored or stressed but the usual place for them to do this is down the legs and on the belly.
If its at the end of the tail check it for fleas and ask the vet to express Kitty's anal glands (cats also get anal gland problems not just dogs).
There could also be an environemental problem (allergy) such as a food allergy or allergy to a new product they are using to clean in the house.
2007-01-27 18:01:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brothers cat has this very thing. Are the spots almost where the hips are, down by tail? If so, exact thing my brothers cat did. Vet said it's stress related. He had just been neutered when it happened and they said because he was older when done (3 years old), that going through it was more traumatic for him.
2007-01-27 17:58:57 · answer #3 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few tings can cause this. Fleas, stress, matts and dry heat. They may want to add some fish oil to the cats food. Goodluck, Jenelle, CVT
2007-01-27 19:23:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because he just came back from the barbers ok i have no idea
2007-01-27 18:05:06 · answer #5 · answered by lorie v 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋