Excessive grooming?

[LibidinousTurkey]

DCat has always been something of a sensitive flower health wise, though we have managed a run of about 18 months with no significant health problems

He went to a new cattery over Christmas which seems to have upset him unreasonably, causing him to groom excessively. So for the first 4-5 days after pick up he's been honking up fur all over the place but seems in good spirits, if a bit clingy.

A flea allergy means he frequently has the odd bald patch (due to his habit of prostituting himself round all the old ladies in the village, a couple who I suspect are not as diligent about flea treatment as we are) This coupled with his shocking Spring/ autumn moults means we manage occasional periods of general kemptness, otherwise we content ourselves with an aura of tattiness

Now though he seems stuck in a cycle of grooming that we are struggling to break and I'm starting to wonder if it's possibly a food allergy on top of fleas. Logically I know we treat for fleas diligently and I see so little evidence of them that I'm struggling to see how it can simply be fleas causing the issue.

Any advice would be much appreciated, particularly anything that will avoid a trip to the charlatan cat specialist at my vets

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

Our cat does it out of anxiety. Feliway plug-in for a bit worth a go? Cheaper from Amazon/Ebay apparently.

[LibidinousTurkey]

I could attribute it to stress at cat prison the cattery, otherwise he is the most laid back and placid cat I've ever met- even the vet has commented on his temperament so I'm sceptical it could be that. Though a diffuser would undoubtedly be cheaper than a vets trip!

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

I use it as a go-to treatment. Used it again recently as Spongecat not impressed by our semi-resident builders!