I adopted an abandoned cat in early December 2013. He had belonged to arsehole tenants of mine who moved on and left the poor sod behind. He had been an indoor cat all his life (he is now 5) and was extremely unfit and overweight, tipping the scales at 22lb. Quite frankly, he looked as if he'd swallowed a bowling ball when I took him home with me.
He had a lot of bald scabby patches which he groomed excessively, and he was also extremely nervous and rushed to hide under my bed at any loud noise or sudden movement.
But by March this year he'd gained a lot of confidence and started prowling round like he owned our property and also became happy to use a cat flap and seems to like roaming around outside.
He has also lost a lot of weight, and he is currently down to a much healthier looking 16lb.
(I'm pretty sure he is at least part maine coon, as he is such a big fellow too, not just a fatty. So that weight isn't as bad as it first sounds!)
But despite his increased confidence, seeming affection for his new humans, and apparent happiness, his patchy fur problem has continued, and he is still very prone to over-grooming.
I had initially assumed it was simply a nervous habit. Then once it became clear that he wasn't frightened anymore, but was still licking, I figured that it was probably flea dermatitis - as my childhood cat would sometimes lick himself bald in a similar fashion if he was bitten by fleas. But after assiduously dosing him with program and frontline and generally doing my best to de-flea his environment, the problem has continued, and in all the times I have flea-combed him I have never found a single flea - or even flea dirt on him.
So now I am pondering other reasons for his apparent inability to let the fur on his arse grow properly!
I suppose it could just be compulsive licking on his part, but he genuinely seems like he is itchy when he licks, rather than licking for comfort or for the hell of it
I've never had a cat like this before, can anyone shed a little light?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.
The litter tray
Cat licking himself bald...
7 replies
SuckingGin · 26/07/2014 05:13
OP posts:
CrystalSkulls ·
26/07/2014 15:30
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.