Cat losing fur from his tail

[CurrerBell]

Our 18-month old cat keeps losing fur in a strip down the base of his tail (his brother also lives with us and has no issues).

We suspect he's pulling it out himself, as we've occasionally seen him grooming himself quite vigorously and sort of ripping out the hair in that area. Does anyone know what could be causing this? The bald skin doesn't look red or inflamed, and he seems to be eating well and going out as normal.

This happened my cat around his neck and head but was accompanied with small red bumps that became red and sore. The vet said it was flea allergic dermatitis although said there were no fleas on him. He gave him tablets which did the trick.

Glad your cat is fine now, Phelan. We've been flea treating the cats and I don't think they have any fleas, but it could be something like that. I haven't seen any red bumps or irritated skin but I will keep checking.

A veterinary nurse I spoke to suggested stress, but I can't think why he would be stressed. He is quite nervous and flighty though by nature, compared with his brother.

As he seems well in himself we didn't rush to take him to the vets when it started happening, and then the hair mostly grew back. But now it's happening again - always at the base of the tail - so I think a trip to the vets might be in order...

Looks like over grooming.
Flea allergy tends to be base of tail where it joins the back and is bumpy.
It can be stress but some cats are just prone to doing it I think.

Ours did the same as @PhelanThePain. She was over grooming and is allergic to flea bites. She goes for stronghold treatment and a steroid injection when it flares up

Thanks for the replies. I guess it's not really the base of the tail where it meets the body, but a strip down the lower section of the tail. The skin looks kind of grey underneath with no hints of any bumps or redness. Hopefully it is just overgrooming as he does not seem in any distress.

Both cats hate being given the Stronghold treatment each month. They try everything to get away and make it as difficult as possible... then they sulk afterwards. I'm always worried it hasn't worked properly although haven't seen any fleas on them.

Our vet does the stronghold treatment for us as Nell has a habit of nipping. She's perfect for him though!

I use Bravecto, which is only every three months, very effective and covers ticks as well.
A friend's cat had a hormonal issue that caused fur loss, but that was pretty evenly all over her body, rather than in one place.
Old girl had flea allergy and she used to literally gnaw at her tail ( steroid injections very effective whenever she had a flare up. They can still get the odd bite, even if the flea then dies as the cat has been treated).
It sounds as if you have caught your boy in the act and he is licking rather than chewing away at his tail?

Ah I didn't realise they could still get bitten even if the fleas die.

We have occasionally caught him sort of overgrooming his tail... almost tearing/nibbling away at the hair but I don't think he's actually chewing his tail. I haven't seen him do it for a while though. The hair loss is always in one continuous strip down his tail - nowhere else.