Cat Twitching & Overgrooming

[ashann89]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with the way my cat started acting. My cat is a 2 year old male, and just three days ago he began twitching alot.  No particular area, sometimes its his ears or head, then it might be his back, or tail, etc.  He tends to do this the majority of the day when awake. We've been watching him & he'll just be sitting still, then suddenly begins licking himself really hard (mostly is back left leg, he's licked some hair off there I just noticed.) Then he'll run & stop, then lick, then run to different places of the house. Then just as quick as it came its gone & he just lays down like normal. He has no known injuries. In our place its my boyfriend, his mom, and me. She just left town a day before this started. Plus, its just started getting colder here in the past couple days. Could this have something to do with this? If so, is there anyway I can make him feel better I feel so bad for him. He acts normal all the rest the time, his best friend is a toy poodle, they grew up together & they still play like normal. Could he possibly have dry skin as well? How can I treat that in an inexpensive way? I'd spend all the money in the world to make him feel better if I had it, but we don't right now & I'm lost on what to do. Thanks for your help!

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

The symptoms you describe can be typical of fleas, and if if your cat and the poodle are  not already treated with a good prescription monthly flea preventative such as Advantage, Frontline, or Revolution, then I would recommend starting with this (call your veterinarian to obtain these products; over the counter flea control products are not as effective and can be toxic to cats). Fleas can sometimes be hard to find especially since cats tend to groom them off. If the symptoms persist then other allergies such as food or pollen/dust may be the cause and you could talk to your veterinarian about trying a hypoallergenic diet such as duck or venison and green pea.
Good luck,
Kimberly Coyner DVM DACVD
www.dermvetvegas.com

[ashann89]

Thank you so much for you help! We will certainly do that! Thanks again!! :)

[ashann89]

**I also wanted to add that we didn't notice any fleas on him, & I'm almost certain that he hasn't ever had any if I recall correctly.  I don't know what breed he is and I'm not sure if that would help or not? I posted this same question on the General Cat Community Forum with a picture of him if that might help.  Is there a certain type of cat food that might be better for him, too?  Thanks again!