Old cat pulling out hair while we're away - stress?

[IHeartKingThistle]

She's sometimes done this before but we've got home from holiday today and there's fur everywhere and she's got a bald patch on her chest We've been away 4 days.

We've always left her when we've gone away as she was a rescue cat and absolutely hates being out of her familiar routines. But she's 15 now and getting confused at times. I don't want her to be stressed on her own but I can't see that she'd be happier in a cattery.

Anyone's cat done similar? How can I reassure my old girl?

[IHeartKingThistle]

To clarify, we don't just leave her! Friends come every day to feed her and give her a bit of attention.

[cozietoesie]

How often (and for how long) would you likely be going away in the future?

[IHeartKingThistle]

We never go away for more than a week. Have a week booked at the end of August. We're away for weekends fairly regularly though visiting family, perhaps one in every 5.

[VulcanWoman]

Aww, my Cat has a small bald patch on his tummy, since we've had him it has got smaller (he was a rescue too). The Vet said some Cats completely strip their fur, so only the fur they can't reach (on their head) is left, so it could be worse. Our Cat, once or twice a year goes to the Cattery for a week at a time and I don't see any difference in his bald patch. The Vet said if you've tried everything else to get rid of any stress, they're tablets but the Vet wasn't keen on the idea.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Thanks, I'll look into that. She's so easily unsettled at the moment. We have builders in next month which will freak her out too - last time she started using DD's room as a toilet. It's not medical, I'm almost sure it's stress.