What would make my cats try to bite themselves when petting from shoulders to tail area?

Question

just touching them in this area makes them want to start chewing on themselves. Even want to bite us. It's like this part along the spin is very senitive. One was doing it before the other, longer time frame.

Answer 1

Food allergies. One of ours has this and he always goes for his left front leg if he's touched on his back or sides.

You need to switch foods to find something that doesn't set him off -- keep him on the new food for 2 weeks, if that one doesn't work try another.

It's frustrating for the cat, it can actually get painful to be touched on the back.

With ours, we manage his condition about 75% with food, still aren't sure what he's triggering on, but when we touch him we stick to his head, shoulders and belly, which don't cause this kind of reaction in him. Don't torture yours by petting his back, just pet the parts he's ok with.

Answer 2

One of my cats does this. It seems like if I get a certain spot he goes nuts on his front leg. My cat is a little plump and doesn't get the area very well, so when I scratch it, it probably feels good. But...if I do it too long (longer than 3 seconds) he gets mad and tries to bite me! Yes I know he is really weird but I love him.

This doesn't really answer your question but you are not alone!

Val

Answer 3

You should go to the vet. Maybe it hurts when you touch your cats there. If not, maybe your cats have fleas. Just go to the vet to find out what's wrong, and how it can be fixed.

Answer 4

Sounds like hyperesthesia. See link:

http://www.lclarkecushingvmd.com/showpracfaq.cfm?FAQID=178&Private=0

http://www.petplace.com/cats/feline-hyperesthesia/page1.aspx

Answer 5

You have overstimulated your cat. Don;t do whatever you did.