My cat pulls his fur out!

When my mom finally let me start keeping Dippy in the house about a year and a half ago, he was fine. He started pulling his fur out after awhile and he didn't have fleas or anything. The vet said it was stress, so we decided that it was best to let him stay outside since he obviously liked it better (he didn't like staying in for very long). However, he still has bald patches and although the pulling has slowed down, he's still doing it. I really love him and want him to stop doing this! He also likes to roll in the dirt just to clean himself, so I wonder if he's an obsessive compulsive groomer or something. Any thoughts are deeply appreciated. Thank you!

Casey, Dippy, Jack, and Boots

We have two cats who do that - both feral kittens we brought inside. At the time, we didn't know any better.  Its been eight years now and every once in awhile, one of them will allogroom (the term for licking themselves bald or pulling their hair out).

Most of the time, they stop on their own.  I believe it is stress, too.  They are both so timid, any chance makes them a little crazy.  The vet suggested medication at one time.  Although we never pursued it (they would have been impossible to pill), maybe that's something you can talk to your vet about?

Other than being unsightly (and the odd chance that it could develop an infection), it usually isn't harmful to them.

Okay, good! I'm glad he isn't hurting or anything like that! The vet told me I could try Benadryl, but there was no getting it in him! He doesn't seem to be bothered by it, so that's good! I love my cat whether he's bald or not, haha!