Another query from me as I have had so much support and advice on MN today.
I have cancer, and look and smell strange - for example, covered in disinfectant by district nurse multiple times a week. Since this started my cat has been over grooming, and I think this is related.
He is a daft, soppy thing, always wanting cuddles. For the last few months he has been overgrooming until he is half bald, and vomiting hairballs constantly, multiple times a day. He has been checked by a vet, who just thinks he is stressed by my disinfectant smell.
I have anti hair ball medication for him, and lots and lots of feliway, but it is not working.
I have tried several cones to prevent grooming. The ones I tried at first seemed to upset him and he struggled to remove them, However, I now have a soft disc type cone, and he is not distressed by it, he can climb and sleep and cuddle normally. He is purring on my lap wearing it. I take it off to feed him as he doesn't seem to be able or willing to try and eat with it on, but eats well as soon as it is off, then does not object to me putting it back on again.
I have ordered a crate-type water bottle from amazon, which should arrive today, so he should be able to drink whenever he wants with the disc on. I am carrying on with the feliway and anti hairball medication as well.
What do people think? Is this ok? Will this help prevent over-grooming in a humane way, or am I being unkind? Is there another way? He looks odd, but does not seem unhappy. The vet's only suggestion was a hard cone, which he got upset about.
Can I leave him wearing this disc-cone long term? (Apart from meal times) Or is there any reason why I should not?
He is an indoor cat, if that makes any difference, quite elderly, and not very active. We spend most of our time together so he is not out and about unsupervised wearing it.