Cat over-grooming lower belly

[lemonsqaure]

My cat (female, 7 years old) recently started over-grooming her lower belly area, something she's never done before. I noticed a hotspot a few days ago and took her to the emergency vet where they shaved her belly to reveal really irritated and red skin and two of her nipples were also irritated. She's now wearing the dreaded cone and I'm keeping the area clean with an antimicrobial spray. I am worried though that she'll continue to lick the area even after it's healed. Today she spent a really long time licking her cone (she has one of those inflatable donut shaped cones), as if she was trying really hard to clean herself. I tried to scratch her body all over gently and give her a little gentle shake incase she was itchy but she just kept licking her cone.

I started her on a new food about a month ago, that has been the only recent change I can think of. Last year she had some GI problems (persistent diarrhea) which were resolved by switching her diet from kibble/wet food to a raw food diet. She was on Stella & Chewy's for almost a year but she was never really that excited about it. About a month ago I discovered Viva Raw and it was a big hit, it's been great seeing her get excited about food again. However I don't know if she is allergic to something in it? The emergency vet said if it was a food allergy it would present in other ways not just skin irritation alone. Also if I'm remembering correctly most cats who have a food allergy have an allergy to proteins and it's usually not a random ingredient in the food right? My cat has had all the proteins she's currently eating with Viva Raw.

I have suspected in the past that she might have hyperesthesia as her back will get twitchy and she'll suddenly scratch herself. I just don't know if it's related? Does anyone have an experience with this? She has an appointment with her regular vet in a week, I just want to get clear idea of what to expect or what it could possibly be. It's currently winter where I'm at and it's been a lot drier than usual, I'm just not sure if something like that would affect her in this way. If it helps I have a photo of her belly and what the irritation looks like in case that helps.

 

[neely]

Welcome to TCS! Glad you joined the site but sorry about your cat's skin irritation. Regarding the winter weather a humidifier would help with the dryness in your home. This thread about overgrowing might have some helpful information for you:
Overgrooming, feels like my hands are tied
And this TCS Article about skin conditions is also very helpful: Skin Conditions In Cats - An Essential Guide - TheCatSite
You may also want to consider contacting a veterinary dermatology specialist. Good luck and please keep us updated.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Cats can be allergic to any ingredient in a food, not just the protein. So, you might want to take a look at whatever is in the 'new' food and see if there is something that stands out compared to what was in her 'old' food.

I suspect the skin irritation is from her scratching that area, as well as overgrooming, and could be a food allergy. All cats are different, and they don't have to present with multiple symptoms with a food allergy. So, her belly area could be the way she presents. The excess cleaning now could also be related to additional itchiness in that area because it was shaved. That can bring about its own form of itchiness. If you can, give her supervised breaks from the cone where you can monitor her and distract her from scratching/grooming that area. If it is really bothering her, you could by a surgical suit - kind of like a baby onesie and use that instead of the cone.

You can mention the back twitching and scratching just to see what the vet says as to whether or not it could be related to her belly issue, but since the latter is a recent event and the former has gone on much longer, it wouldn't seem to me to be related.

You can also consider using chamomile tea on her belly. Buy chamomile tea bags - you can find them in most any grocery store and generally speaking those are Germain - you don't want English or any flavorings or additives. Brew a bag in water, cool the liquid to room temp and then apply some to that area with cotton balls or a soft cloth. Chamomile tea is a soothing and healing agent, as well as having anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties. It is safe for your cat to ingest if that should happen.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Definitely read the articles mentioned above. They contain useful information that might help in your case.

One thing that isn't mentioned however is that sometimes when they won't leave their tummies alone it can actually be pain that is the problem. They might bite and chew on their tummies to try to stop the pain Not saying that is the case here, but it's possible. I would think about stress, food, litter, and pain when trying to figure out what's causing this.

 

[Joxer]

My cat (female, 7 years old) recently started over-grooming her lower belly area, something she's never done before. I noticed a hotspot a few days ago and took her to the emergency vet where they shaved her belly to reveal really irritated and red skin and two of her nipples were also irritated. She's now wearing the dreaded cone and I'm keeping the area clean with an antimicrobial spray. I am worried though that she'll continue to lick the area even after it's healed. Today she spent a really long time licking her cone (she has one of those inflatable donut shaped cones), as if she was trying really hard to clean herself. I tried to scratch her body all over gently and give her a little gentle shake incase she was itchy but she just kept licking her cone.

I started her on a new food about a month ago, that has been the only recent change I can think of. Last year she had some GI problems (persistent diarrhea) which were resolved by switching her diet from kibble/wet food to a raw food diet. She was on Stella & Chewy's for almost a year but she was never really that excited about it. About a month ago I discovered Viva Raw and it was a big hit, it's been great seeing her get excited about food again. However I don't know if she is allergic to something in it? The emergency vet said if it was a food allergy it would present in other ways not just skin irritation alone. Also if I'm remembering correctly most cats who have a food allergy have an allergy to proteins and it's usually not a random ingredient in the food right? My cat has had all the proteins she's currently eating with Viva Raw.

I have suspected in the past that she might have hyperesthesia as her back will get twitchy and she'll suddenly scratch herself. I just don't know if it's related? Does anyone have an experience with this? She has an appointment with her regular vet in a week, I just want to get clear idea of what to expect or what it could possibly be. It's currently winter where I'm at and it's been a lot drier than usual, I'm just not sure if something like that would affect her in this way. If it helps I have a photo of her belly and what the irritation looks like in case that helps.

My recently deceased female cat, Xena, had this exact symptom for a long time. She was a very aggressive groomer and kept her lower belly clear of fur for the first 10 or so years of her life. Sometimes she licked the skin there so much that she caused minor abrasions that would scab over. However, she never developed any infections, scarring, or other serious complications.

Xena was a very lively, playful, and high-strung cat. She was the only cat I've ever known who would play fetch with me. I would toss one of her toys, and she'd bring it back to me and yowl about it until I threw it for her again. She would bring me her toys in the middle of the night and wake me up with yowling because clearly 3:00 am was play time. She was also incredibly affectionate and completely adorable.

As Xena got older, she calmed down. Her overgrooming became less and less of an issue, until it ceased altogether. I brought it up with several vets, but ultimately decided against any psychotropic drugs. She almost never actually hurt herself. She just looked kind of weird when she was lying on her back and you could see that there was no fur on her lower belly. I definitely think that there was a stress component. When doing home renovations, for example, her overgrooming would increase.

My advice would be not to use the cone or other restraint devices unless serious harm is being done. Those devices add to a cat's stress, when what an overgroomer needs is a calm, predictable environment, with lots of stimulation but nothing scary. Xena liked to vent her excess energy by running around outside and hunting bees (a bad habit; she ultimately learned her lesson from a very upset bumblebee). Especially if your cat can't go outside, I would make sure to provide lots of catnip-filled toys to entertain her, and safe places to hide and rest.

 

[Furballsmom]

they shaved her belly to reveal really irritated and red skin and two of her nipples were also irritated.

My advice would be not to use the cone

I think the Original Poster needs to follow their veterinarians advice.

 

[Joxer]

I think the Original Poster needs to follow their veterinarians advice.

As a general principle, I agree with this. But the cone adds a lot of stress for the cat (it feels weird and make grooming impossible), without addressing the underlying problem. If the underlying problem is stress, then the cone is just making a bad situation worse.

I understand the reasoning behind the cone if a cat is recovering from surgery and needs to be prevented from pulling out stitches, etc. But the cone does not seem like a great answer to a possibly chronic condition.

Xena lived a happy life for 16 years, overgrooming her belly for the first 10 of them. Neither myself, nor her vets, ever figured out the cause, but eventually she grew out of it. She never experienced any complications (infection, etc). Having her wear a cone would have driven her crazy. A fur-free belly, with occasional skin irritation, was not good, but better than a cone.

What I said previously was conditional:

"My advice would be not to use the cone or other restraint devices unless serious harm is being done."

In other words, if serious harm is being done to the skin, then the cone might be a good idea. But adding stress with the cone could make the cat's overall health worse. As I am sure you know, stress can bring on a lot of health problems in cats, including medical emergencies like acute pancreatitis.

 

[lemonsqaure]

Thank you all for your words of advice, I really appreciate them. I noticed earlier today when I was brushing her that her skin seemed flaky and her paws look dry, almost like they're peeling in a couple of places. I'm not sure if this is an indication of something else?

She's still got her follow up appointment with her vet soon so I will mention all of this when I see them.

As far as the cone or no cone debate, I am following what the vet says and using the cone. I give her breaks each day where she can groom herself while I block her lower belly with my hand, but the cone always goes back on. As much as it breaks my heart to see her miserable with it on, I'm pretty sure she would just go to town on her belly if she didn't wear it, her skin was pretty irritated and sore when I took her in to the emergency vet a few days ago. If this continues however I'm not sure what to do as she can't live her life with a cone, maybe a recovery suit? For now since we are in the beginning stages of this, a cone is kind of necessary.

 

[Antonio65]

My previous cat started over grooming her lower belly, and in time she got completely bare, hairless, from half belly down to her hind legs.
After several attempts, visits, tests, etc, it was assessed it was stress related.

 

[neely]

I noticed earlier today when I was brushing her that her skin seemed flaky and her paws look dry, almost like they're peeling in a couple of places. I'm not sure if this is an indication of something else?

All the more reason to consult a certified veterinary dermatology specialist. They have the expertise and knowledge to properly diagnose her problem so it doesn't get worse or flare up. I know how difficult it can be when our cats are sick or suffering so I hope she can get some relief soon.

 

[katno]

Hello, my cat did this, I (and primary care vets) assumed it was a skin issue, in reality it was due to a ureteric stone which eventually caused one kidney a lot of damage (hydronephrosis). The licking and ensuing baldness was in reaction to pain deeper insider the body. I would advise pursuing this as well as the allergy angle.

 

[Jah]

My previous cat started over grooming her lower belly, and in time she got completely bare, hairless, from half belly down to her hind legs.
After several attempts, visits, tests, etc, it was assessed it was stress related.

So what was the treatment? Did your cat stop?

 

[Jah]

Been to the vet over this same problem. $400+ in and zero results. I hate vets. Still got a bare belly and working on front legs too.
I've read all about the stress thing. That's what vet says too. I don't believe that's the problem.
Cat always ate same food. No mites or fleas.
Just started a few months ago. 8 years old.
Frustrating.

 

[Furballsmom]

I've read all about the stress thing. That's what vet says too. I don't believe that's the problem.

Not to hijack the thread but have you tried calming treats? Store bought Chamomile tea on the hot spots?

 

[IndyJones]

I would not put tea on the hotspots a steroidal cream would work beter if yhey actualy are hotspots true hotspots ooze a clear fluid and are exreamly painful. This doesn't sound like hot spots to me at all.

It sounds like either a food/contact allergy, dry skin, or what my vet describes as "kitty ocd"

Kabuto used to have "kitty ocd" they basicly become obssessed with liking an area until it becomes bald. If you try to stop them they go right back to it. They may even pull at it while seemingly being in pain. Its a form of soothing by self mutilation as she described it. Psycogenic alopecia is the technical term for it.

I would look at the alergy or dry skin first though since you meantioned flaky skin.

 

[Furballsmom]

true hotspots ooze a clear fluid and are exreamly painful. This doesn't sound like hot spots to me at all.

I used the term to refer to red itchy areas. Thank you for the clarification. Store bought Chamomile tea is anti fungal, antibacterial, will help ease the itching and is safe if ingested by the cat.

 

[Antonio65]

So what was the treatment? Did your cat stop?

Well, the suggested treatment were calming pills (like Zylkéne), to put Feliway diffuser in all rooms (it cost a fortune), and to enrich her environment with several dishes for kibbles and water.
We tried everything the behavioralist told us, but the cat eventually stopped on her own, about three years later, when we had removed all the items and pills.
The source of her stress was never really understood.