excessive cat grooming - her little legs are going bald!

[mooseloose]

My mother in law had problems with her cat in the summer licking herself so much that she lost a lot of fur around her legs.

The vet found nothing iritating her, and presummed stress about the dog annoying her.

She was given £28 plug in smelly thing to calm her which did no good at all. She gets on better with the dog now anyway - they play together. But in the last two weeks she has started licking again. MIL is going to take her to the vets for a skin scrape - but I'd be surprised af any skin flea type bugs about this time of the year!

Anyone got any suggestions please! Anything for stress? Thanks -

my dog used to do this and we were told it was a behavioural anxiety type thing.

Is she neutered?? Cats in heat often lick themselves barmy...
They odften go into season late winter/early spring. (once the nights draw out)
Are there any kitties hanging about outside?

I think she's been done - but i will check that!

My cat did exactly the same, it all started with the arrival of dd2. We also bought the plug in thing (supposed to smell reassuring to them)and were offered CAT COUNSELLING for the cat! (my husband looked incredulous, and said, a la Jim Royal, 'and how much will that cost (Bar) ?' !! I can confirm counselling never took place.
Then it all got better, the cat seemed to accept dd2, and it's been fine since. (3 years)