Over grooming cat

[Gruffalump]

I have recently noticed that one of my cats' fur is looking very sparse around the back of his legs and on his lower stomach. It has become apparent that this is through over grooming and appears to be spreading. ..

We moved house a couple of months ago and he ia quite a highly strung cat, previous cases of stress induced cystitis etc.

I had bought a herbal version of feliway which seems to have made no difference, so ordered the real thing tonight. Also ordered replacement magnets for the cat flap as I am wondering if he is having cat war.

What else can I do to prevent this getting any worse and to help him relax??

[Mogz]

Does he have a safe, quiet spot that he can retreat to where no one will disturb him?
I'd also give your vet a ring and ask for advice, hopefully they'll be happy to give you some pointers over the phone without seeing him if they don't think it's serious.

[Sylvanas]

Are there any different materials in your new home that he could be allergic to?

My older cat was bald from the shoulders back at one point and I tried different ways of calming her but the vet said it was probably an allergy.

[ScentedScandal]

We used to have a cat that did this, but he had eczema. Maybe the vet could detect a skin problem. Fleas also could cause this. But yes it could also be a stress thing too.

[Fuzzymum1]

One of ours over grooms a triangle low on his belly - between his back legs- he leaves the bit round his bits fluffy but his belly is just a bit fuzzy, He's always done it and is almost te now - he leaves the rest of his coat alone though. The vet has checked him over and can't see a reason for it other than habit now.

[camptownraces]

One of ours did this.

Vet offered quarterly steroid injections because "it's an allergic reaction, but we'll never find out the cause".

Try a change of diet. It restored things to normal within a couple of weeks.

[Gruffalump]

Thanks for your replies guys - I think the fur is beginning to come back a little after we have bought actual Feliway and sorted the cat flap.

There are definitely a few cats round here, so I suspect he is in the middle of a turf war! He always seems to find a nemesis!

[cozietoesie]

Poor guy - stressed out?

I'm glad there seems to be an improvement.