My Cat is scratching and licking off fur.

[Bartmas]

Hi
My 3 year old Maine Coon has been dropping fur like crazy since Nov/2011..until now Feb/2012. Took him to the Vets and he has no fleas. Now we are doing the allergy to food and he's on Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dry Food. Also, gave him flea treatment with heartworm. He doesn't appear sick but sure is looking scruffy now from losing so much hair. He has been chewing it off on his fur on his back legs. He still has to have a test done checking for parasites...waiting on him to co-operate.... but after reading these posts... we adopted an older Boxer in September of last year. They have not been put together but we crate the boxer while the cat is out until we are sure they understand they are both family members..... now I'm wondering if the Boxer has created too much stress for the cat and this is his reaction..
I guess I'll follow through with tests for him but maybe involve him more around the Boxer. Because we know nothing of her background ( although she is very sweet) we are't sure how they will get along and we are in and out all the time so I can't trust them alone with each other.

Also.. has anyone found a really good canned cat food.. I can't find any my Maine Coon likes...I would like him to eat sardine in olive oil.. but so far..no luck.

[opus88]

I posted this previously and I will add it here again, its a good read.
also forgot to mention, if you are using scented litter change that to unscented...let us know how you make out ok.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/12/23/environmental-allergies-and-your-pet.aspx

[opus88]

good for you for reading all the posts, there are many on this site that deal with this problem, its very unlikely the culprit is stress...more likely an allergy. remember kitty doesn't have to have fleas for a 'flea bite allergy' to spring up it only takes ONE bite.
the reason is usually always allergy's. to the food, the environment or to fleas.
first of all STOP dry food, its loaded with chemicals and preservatives. I will give you a site that names good commercial can foods that are avail...also stop using all chemicals in your home, candles/cleaners etc.
rather than sardines in olive oil, I would get a good quality Omega 3 vitamin to add to the food (or give orally if he wont' eat the food its in)..the best one on the market is Krill Oil. NOW Foods brand is one of the best, for cats it has to be free of soy and preservatives. I can tell you where to buy it if you can't find it in your local health store.
post again if we can help more. good luck

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=cannedfoods