My cat is licking and scratching herself bald. She doesn't have fleas and won't eat her prescription food to determine if it's a food allergy. Not sure what to do next.

Question

I'm at my wit's end and could really use some advice. I've got a sweet tabby named Charlie, and for the past few weeks, she's been obsessively licking and scratching herself to the point where she's losing patches of fur. I checked for fleas, but she doesn’t have any, and we even did a course of flea treatment just to be safe. The vet suggested it might be a food allergy and prescribed a special diet, but the problem is Charlie won't touch the prescription food, no matter what I try. I've mixed it with her regular food, warmed it up, even tried hiding it in treats, but she’s not having it. She just picks around it and ends up not eating properly. It’s heartbreaking to see her so uncomfortable, and it’s stressing me out, too. Has anyone faced a similar issue with their cat? What else can I do to figure out what's causing this? Any tips or tricks to get her to eat the special food or ideas on what else could be triggering this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Dial A Vet · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your cat's discomfort! Excessive licking and scratching can be distressing for both of you, but I'm here to help. Since you've ruled out fleas, we can consider a few other common causes.

Cats often over-groom due to allergies, either environmental or food-related. Environmental allergens, like pollen, dust, or mold, might be the culprits. Stress or anxiety can also lead to this behavior, as grooming is a natural stress-relief mechanism for cats. Finally, skin infections or irritations might contribute to her symptoms.

For at-home care, try to identify and reduce potential stressors—this might mean introducing calming pheromones or providing a more enriching environment with toys or climbing structures. Regularly brushing your cat can help to stimulate her skin and remove excess fur and dander, which might be relieving for her.

Keep an eye out for signs like open sores, bleeding, redness, or any changes in behavior, like lethargy or a decrease in appetite. These signs might indicate something more serious that needs immediate attention.

I’d love to explore this further with a video consult through Dial A Vet so we can discuss her specific needs and find a solution that works for both of you.

My cat is licking and scratching herself bald. She doesn't have fleas and won't eat her prescription food to determine if it's a food allergy. Not sure what to do next.

Answer

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