Excessive grooming

[Tiggy's Mum]

I think a few people on here have had success with Zyklene when used in their cats with stress related cystitis, don't recall anyone using it for overgrooming issues but I would imagine it works on the same principle. If you do try the Feliway give it a week or so to 'kick in' before reflecting on whether it helps.

[Peardrop]

I have friends in cat and dog rescue and one suggested this http://www.petdispensary.co.uk/zylkene-4899-0.html

[Desley (booktigger)]

Kizzy overgrooms due to stress, Feliway has made a massive difference to her though, and we are currently trying out Serene-um on vet advice, she says it can work really well. Cheaper from VetUK than the vet as well, it has just cost me £19.93 for a Feliway refill and Serene-um drops.

[Wibblechick]

My friends cat, Smokey, used to do this when they lived in a top floor flat.  Smokeys tummy was completely bald and the area around his "privates" too .....

To all outward appearances Smokey was a happy, much loved laid-back cat. 

When they moved to a bungalow (and they themselves were much happier) Smokey stopped pulling fur out ....

He died aged 22/23 with all his fur grown back ....

We dont always know what stresses cats - Id try Feliway and Rescue remedy for starters

Hope it works out for you 

[Millys Mum]

Have you tried treating for fleas every 4 weeks? It can take just one bite to set them off and being indoor cats doesnt stop the fleas getting in 

[sheryl]

I had the same problem with my Coonie Roxy (RIP baby girl) Sher looked beautiful from the front, all long haired and fluffy and then when she turned round I used to think OMG what a mess -It went on for ages and we spent a fortune in the UK on tests etc, changed her diet and tried everything.  When we moved to Germany we mentioned it to the vet and he diagnosed the problem in about 10 minutes - she had a hormome imbalance (the vet said it could have been due to being spayed too young?) she was prescribed ovarid (the human hormone tablet) and had to have a quarter of a tablet every other day - she was always worse when the weather was warm for some reason, the treatment cured the problem within about 2/3 weeks - It might be worth mentioning to your vets.

[Peardrop]

If it's stress related have you tried Feliway and/or rescue remedy?

The thing is I don't know what she would have to be stressed about

As Dawn says cat stress and human stress are worlds apart.  Is he a sensitive soul? One of my boys is very sensitive, he doesn't have any issues like overgrooming but when I have the Feliway plugged in you can really notice the difference in how much more relaxed he is. He even starts chasing his much more dominant brother, I love seeing the look on Riley's face when Lu decides he's going to do the chasing for once  I've found the plug in diffuser to be really effective, I have used the spray in their baskets for vet trips but it's hard to say if that helps as no cats like going to the vets! 

Edit to add: You can get Feliway from the vets but it's much cheaper online. A lot of memebrs on here use VetUK, they're normally very quick at delivering and they donate 5% of the order total to a rescue if you go via a rescue link.

Delivery is free with VetUK (when you spend over £15) and they usually despatch the same or next working day using first class post so superfast too.  They also donate 5% of your order total if you click through a rescue link to whichever rescue you've 'clicked through', occasionally you can find some items cheaper at other online pharmacies but in general (for the products I've bought) they're the cheapest so not only do I save money but I get to help the rescue out too    If you do order from them below is a list of rescues on Purrs that have VetUK links

The rescues on here that have a link are below, I always take it in turns every time I order.

http://www.canterbury.cats.org.uk/ - scroll down and click on VetUK logo

http://www.coventrycatgroup.org.uk/sections.php?id=commission - click on the words 'vetuk link'

http://www.catactiontrust1977.co.uk/ - click on 'vetuk online shop' on left hand side

http://www.pawsinncats.com/ - click on vetuk logo at bottom of home page

www.chesterfieldcats.co.uk/ - click on vetuk logo on right hand side of home page

 

[Tiggy's Mum]

If it's stress related have you tried Feliway and/or rescue remedy?

The thing is I don't know what she would have to be stressed about

As Dawn says cat stress and human stress are worlds apart.  Is he a sensitive soul? One of my boys is very sensitive, he doesn't have any issues like overgrooming but when I have the Feliway plugged in you can really notice the difference in how much more relaxed he is. He even starts chasing his much more dominant brother, I love seeing the look on Riley's face when Lu decides he's going to do the chasing for once  I've found the plug in diffuser to be really effective, I have used the spray in their baskets for vet trips but it's hard to say if that helps as no cats like going to the vets! 

Edit to add: You can get Feliway from the vets but it's much cheaper online. A lot of memebrs on here use VetUK, they're normally very quick at delivering and they donate 5% of the order total to a rescue if you go via a rescue link.

Delivery is free with VetUK (when you spend over £15) and they usually despatch the same or next working day using first class post so superfast too.  They also donate 5% of your order total if you click through a rescue link to whichever rescue you've 'clicked through', occasionally you can find some items cheaper at other online pharmacies but in general (for the products I've bought) they're the cheapest so not only do I save money but I get to help the rescue out too    If you do order from them below is a list of rescues on Purrs that have VetUK links

The rescues on here that have a link are below, I always take it in turns every time I order.

http://www.canterbury.cats.org.uk/ - scroll down and click on VetUK logo

http://www.coventrycatgroup.org.uk/sections.php?id=commission - click on the words 'vetuk link'

http://www.catactiontrust1977.co.uk/ - click on 'vetuk online shop' on left hand side

http://www.pawsinncats.com/ - click on vetuk logo at bottom of home page

www.chesterfieldcats.co.uk/ - click on vetuk logo on right hand side of home page

[Peardrop]

sometimes what they see as stress and what we see as stress can be completely different, I'd definately give feliway a go

I will check it out 

[Peardrop]

You might ask your vet to do a blood test to check for the eosinophil levels. My cat Lucia licked all the fur off the back of her front legs and the insides of her thighs, she turned out to have eosinophilic dermatitis, like an allergic reaction, that caused her to start licking, then become a bit complusive about it. A short course of prednisone tablets fixed her up and she never had the problem again. My little ginger Sammy has it, it manifests as small red spots on back legs, and his bottom lip gets a bit swollen.

Coco's skin is perfect as smooth as a babies bum.

[Dawn F]

sometimes what they see as stress and what we see as stress can be completely different, I'd definately give feliway a go

[Peardrop]

If it's stress related have you tried Feliway and/or rescue remedy?

The thing is I don't know what she would have to be stressed about

[Christie]

You might ask your vet to do a blood test to check for the eosinophil levels. My cat Lucia licked all the fur off the back of her front legs and the insides of her thighs, she turned out to have eosinophilic dermatitis, like an allergic reaction, that caused her to start licking, then become a bit complusive about it. A short course of prednisone tablets fixed her up and she never had the problem again. My little ginger Sammy has it, it manifests as small red spots on back legs, and his bottom lip gets a bit swollen.

[Tiggy's Mum]

If it's stress related have you tried Feliway and/or rescue remedy?

[Peardrop]

My youngest Siamese has a bald tummy/back of thighs and legs. I took her to the vets who gave her a steroid injection

 The thing is her skin is completely clear of any spots, blotches, marks, anything it is perfect.

She is spoilt rotten, has loads of toys, is never left alone, is not allowed outside, has nice food and has everything a puss could want.

The steroid injection didn't work and it breaks my heart to see the backs of her legs looking like the moths have been at her.