The about 7 years old tomcat living with me has groomed away much of the long, topcoat hair low on his belly & between his hind legs. He's a short hair, a mackerel tabby who looks like he's in the extended Egyptian Mao family, with a very thick, dense coat. When I first noticed the long low belly hair was disappearing, the area involved was smaller; he's working on his thighs now. He doesn't groom obsessively, but very vigorously.
It's been much warmer than usual here, off and on, and fleas are worse than usual (all the cats in the 'hood agree). I restarted Advantage, which we don't always need, near the end of July. I went more than four weeks (by about 5 days) before applying month two's dose -- and suspected he might be needing it even sooner. His coat is so thick, I've never seen a flea on him, but his behavior had me wondering.
Anybody ever had a tomcat groom away the long belly hair?
I've pretty much decided to watch and wait, and to apply Advantage again at 4 weeks or sooner, vs. later. I'm going to try brushing him more often, too. There's no rash, and he doesn't have pain in that area -- I can tell because he lets me touch it.
This cat was feral until nearly a year old, and a visit to the vet is not a reasonable option. He was severely traumatized by my having a vet make house calls to vaccinate him here at home, after which I decided never to do that again. I'd rather vaccinate him myself. He would have to be heavily drugged for a thoro exam by a stranger, so that's my last resort. I don't want to do that for some missing hair. He's not hairless in the area, the down undercoat is still there.
Thanks , cheddi & Bubu
It's been much warmer than usual here, off and on, and fleas are worse than usual (all the cats in the 'hood agree). I restarted Advantage, which we don't always need, near the end of July. I went more than four weeks (by about 5 days) before applying month two's dose -- and suspected he might be needing it even sooner. His coat is so thick, I've never seen a flea on him, but his behavior had me wondering.
Anybody ever had a tomcat groom away the long belly hair?
I've pretty much decided to watch and wait, and to apply Advantage again at 4 weeks or sooner, vs. later. I'm going to try brushing him more often, too. There's no rash, and he doesn't have pain in that area -- I can tell because he lets me touch it.
This cat was feral until nearly a year old, and a visit to the vet is not a reasonable option. He was severely traumatized by my having a vet make house calls to vaccinate him here at home, after which I decided never to do that again. I'd rather vaccinate him myself. He would have to be heavily drugged for a thoro exam by a stranger, so that's my last resort. I don't want to do that for some missing hair. He's not hairless in the area, the down undercoat is still there.
Thanks , cheddi & Bubu