overgrooming

My 10 yr. old male cat constantly licks his skin and bites his fur. He has balding areas everywhere. The vets have given him a clean bill of health on his skin. They say it is stress related. He has always loved the brush, but now I don't brush him, for fear it may be too abrasive. I wonder if it is not stress but itchiness. His skin looks fine. No rashes, sores, fleas or anything. He is miserable. I try to occupy him, so he isn't bored but he is not always cooperative. Could it be his Royal Cainin Prescription dry food for urinary crystal prevention? He also gets a can of wet food a day and drinks plenty of water. Would a bath help and any suggestions for a dry food that will still keep his Ph levels good?

Ruth cat Mom said:

 
My 10 yr. old male cat constantly licks his skin and bites his fur. He has balding areas everywhere. The vets have given him a clean bill of health on his skin. They say it is stress related. He has always loved the brush, but now I don't brush him, for fear it may be too abrasive. I wonder if it is not stress but itchiness. His skin looks fine. No rashes, sores, fleas or anything. He is miserable. I try to occupy him, so he isn't bored but he is not always cooperative. Could it be his Royal Cainin Prescription dry food for urinary crystal prevention? He also gets a can of wet food a day and drinks plenty of water. Would a bath help and any suggestions for a dry food that will still keep his Ph levels good?

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You're describing psychogenic alopecia, and stress is very related to it. See these links.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/10/cats-excessive-grooming.aspx

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/health_resources/CW_lick.cfm

Is there something in your home that could be causing stress?

Another cat?

Another pet of any kind?

Children who play too much with your cat?

Loud sounds such as construction/renovation?

Do you put something on his skin that could be causing problems?

Do you use any cleaning solutions on the floor that he could be allergic to?

Does he have plenty of toys, scratching posts and a tree house?

Does he have safe places where he can hang out?

If you want, you can try giving him a bath using a gentle shampoo. Try to find an unscented one. If he is short haired, you can just towel dry him. If he is long-haired, you should try to blow dry him while brushing. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, you can look for a cat groomer (someone who specializes in cats, not a dog groomer who once in a blue moon grooms a cat.)

Lots of things to think about and try. Good luck!

We have another cat, but he adores her. None of the things you mentioned are in our house. No children in my house, except my own older children who treat him very well. He is a very loved and well cared for cat with plenty of scratching posts,litter boxes, toys etc. The only thing I think he gets stressed out about is other cats who like to cut thru our yard, his territory. He also wants to go out but we do our best to keep him in, because of all the negative things out there. We do take him on the leash sometimes. No i never have put anything on his skin and I don't have household products that he could be allergic to. I may try to bathe him with the help of my daughter. I do know how to do t. Thank you for your input. When he goes to the vets, they always comment on how handsome he is and such a nice sheen to his coat, up until the last 6 months or so.

Thank you Stephen: I read the article  and it is exactly what he is doing. Our Vet called it Psychogenic Alopecia also. Caused by stress. He wants to go out and we prefer to keep him in for safety sake. We do take him on the leash sometimes. My son has been gone from our home for a year and I wonder if he misses him. My daughter and I try to give him a lot of attention. Do you think Rescue Remedies Stress Relief essences would help him?

Did the vet test for allergies? It may very well be stress related, but cats can also react the same way to allergens.

The vets said they highly doubt it is allergies. They did not test him. His skin is perfect. How would they test for allergies. I have wondered if he could be allergic to his Prescription dry food. I am reluctant to take him off if I don't have to. I am afraid he will get urinary crystal again.

Interesting. It sounds like you give him a great life!!

Do you ever watch Jackson Galaxy's show, "My Cat From Hell"?

On that show, there are occasionally cats who are extremely stressed because cats cut through their yard or walk by their window. The cat doesn't have to be inside the house to cause stress. Some cats urinate inside due to their anxiety about what is outside the home.

Is there a way to block the windows that allow him to see the cats that go through your yard? You don't have to block the whole window, just the lower part that allows him to see the intruders.