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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Licked fur off tummy

20 replies

Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 07:54

Hello! Long time lurker on here and just wondered if anybody had any advice please. My 5 year old cat has, over the last few months, started licking the fur off her tummy and I wondered if there’s anything I could do about it. She doesn’t go outside so I know it’s not grooming from fleas etc, she has had to stay at my parents a couple of times recently which I think has unsettled her. She isn’t particularly stressed out when she’s there, just stays in her own room and they know not to bother her, but I think this might have stressed her out a bit? I already give her valerian and generally she’s pretty relaxed, albeit a feisty little thing! I haven’t taken her to the vets yet as that in itself does get her a bit worked up so was wondering if anybody had experienced this before and if it just went away on its own? Pic attached - thanks for any advice!

Licked fur off tummy
OP posts:
JoanOgden · 29/03/2022 09:23

Mine does this; like yours, probably stress-related (though also gets worse in winter, probably because she goes out less so has more time to get bored or anxious).

Staying in a room by herself at your parents' house sounds pretty miserable for your cat. Why don't your parents interact with her? And is there no way she could stay at home with a petsitter coming in?

Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 10:03

Hi, thanks for your reply, good to know others do it too. Ah I didn’t mean it like she sits on her own in the room! She’s a bit of a grumpy cat to be honest and only lets me fuss her so all I meant is they know not to go and try to pick her up, fuss her etc. the door is left open and she can roam around their house as much as she wants to, she just doesn’t want to. She’s only ever stayed there for 2 days and still eats, drinks, toilets as normal etc so as I say she doesn’t seem mega stressed there. Does your cat just stop doing it of its own accord? X

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Want2beme · 29/03/2022 10:39

It doesn't take much to stress a cat. I had a cat who was over grooming her back, at the top of her tail. I was shocked at how much fur had gone. The vet said it was stress related. I wasn't sure what was be causing the stress. The only thing I thought might be, was her being very territorial. There are a lot of stray cats where I live, (farm cats), and when she wasn't indoors, she'd be outside guarding her territory, constantly chasing off cats.

The over grooming did eventually stop.

Want2beme · 29/03/2022 10:39

She looks very sweet, not grumpy at allGrin

Gowithme · 29/03/2022 11:01

You could try those calming plug ins Feliway is it? Also when I rescued a dog who stress licked at first they said to put some sudocrem on it as it doesn't taste nice and might stop the licking, plus will help with healing. If nothing works though I'd take her to the vets and see what they suggest.

Happenchance · 29/03/2022 11:12

I doubt she'll stop doing it of her own accord. Repetitive licking can become an obsessive behaviour. I would take her to the vets and try and nip this in the bud as soon as possible.

JoanOgden · 29/03/2022 11:16

Mine is getting better now, but it is a long-term habit (probably as a result of her stressful life before she came to me) and I suspect she will always do it to some extent. I have tried Feliway and Zyklene but not sure it has had any effect. She is happier and less likely to do it when it's sunny, but I can't really control that!

Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 11:27

Thank you so much for all your replies everyone - I rarely see her actually grooming herself there, maybe once or twice a day (I work from home and she’s always near me) so its not like she is obsessively doing it although I guess she could be when I’m asleep. She has valerian every day but I’ll get her a plug in too - Just not sure what the vet would suggest if it is stress, other than what I’m already doing and giving her. She’s just never done it before so I can only link it to her couple of recent stays away. I appreciate everyone’s comments and advice though 😊

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Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 11:27

Oh no, she’s DEFINITELY grumpy 😂😂

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Happenchance · 29/03/2022 11:37

The vet will rule out any physical cause, such as allergies or pain.

Would she tolerate a cone or bodysuit overnight?

AwkwardPaws27 · 29/03/2022 12:12

Have you used a flea comb and thoroughly checked for fleas / flea dirt? Indoor cats can sometimes get them - they can hitched a ride in on your clothes.

Newnormal99 · 29/03/2022 12:25

My cat is suffering this at the moment. We solved it first time with a cone and steroid cream but it's come back in a bigger area. It's getting to be raw skin. I am going to have to take her back to vet but I don't know what long term answer is.

She has a very saggy belly so wondered if it was catching on stuff when she went outside but that's not much of the time she's very lazy.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 29/03/2022 12:26

Its normally stress if its not fleas, cats are very easily stressed and then it becomes a habit.
Maybe a spell in a cat bodysuit would stop the habit.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 29/03/2022 12:27

Also urine infections, has she been tested for one?

Yoyokitten · 29/03/2022 13:19

Hi My cat had this. She had been in our local cat's shelter for a month before we went to choose a cat.
She had come from a very busy home, where a young child had become allergic to her. Hers was stress rated, and after settling with us, as an only cat, she stopped doing it and the fur grew back really well. The vet did say though that it can be a sign of pain in the area.
Hope you get it sorted

Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 13:36

@Happenchance

The vet will rule out any physical cause, such as allergies or pain.

Would she tolerate a cone or bodysuit overnight?

I really doubt it! I will call the vets though and see what they suggest - thank you x
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Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 13:37

@AwkwardPaws27

Have you used a flea comb and thoroughly checked for fleas / flea dirt? Indoor cats can sometimes get them - they can hitched a ride in on your clothes.
I have checked for fleas yes, a few times over the last couple of weeks just to be sure - no sign and she isn’t scratching either (thank god!)
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Original poster
Hotmess1 · 29/03/2022 13:39

Thank you so much everyone for your replies - I am going to call the vet and try to get her in to rule anything out and if it is just stress then I guess it will hopefully just pass. I’ve ordered a feliway so hopefully that will help. Thank you fellow cat slaves! X

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MrOllivander · 30/03/2022 08:52

Mine does this for fun Hmm he has a steroid jab every 12 weeks which solves it
The vet was v helpful and there's quite a bit of stuff to try Smile

Original poster
Hotmess1 · 01/04/2022 19:45

Thanks everyone - I took her to the vets today and they’ve confirmed it is just stress and to give the feliway a few days to work, minimise stress and she should just stop in her own time. £42 for that information!!! At least they confirmed no parasites or anything more serious so money well spent to put my mind at rest I suppose! 😀

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