Cat licking her hair off - allergies or stress?

[Samson_Delilah]

My female cat has started licking off her hair on her paws and legs and possibly is starting on her belly - they are long hair and it's kinda hard to tell until a definite bald patch appears.  This has been happening since before Christmas.  At first I thought it was due to the loss of her beloved "Cat tree" but I got her a replacement - although I'm not sure she likes it near as much.  The Vet thinks it's an allergy - probably to food - but I can't get her to eat the $35 per 8lb bag of Green Pea and Duck food I bought for her.  She went days without eating and I finally gave in - as I didnt want to deal with those complications too.  So, I have just ordered another type of food - Venison and Green Pea - hopefully she'll like that a little better.....and I've ordered the stop itch wipes and lotion from Dr. Fosters and Smith.  I am hoping one of those will help.  The other issue is that I travel A LOT for my job - often gone at least 3 or 4 days.  I started travelling this heavy in September and her hair loss started after Thanksgiving.

Any ideas or things I can try.  I was thinking of trying the Feliway diffuser - but after just ordering over $50 of food and itch relief - I am going to hold off before spending $30 on an air diffuser.

Any comments are appreciated.

[anyone567]

Oh I am so off the steroids. I only let them do it twice and that was out of hesitation and desperation for her relief. Besides diabetes I heard they can cause problems with their kidneys and liver functions. That being said...

My other concern is that I've read a few comments on the forum saying cats must have wet food. I started Freddie on dry food bc I heard its healthier for them, makes them live longer, and make it easier ro clean thee litter (if u get what I'm saying)
So anyways.. she won't eat wet food.I've tried many different brans and flavors but she just won't touch the stuff.
Is it really a huge problem? She drinks plenty of water and loves fresh water that comes straight from the fauce. And has plenty of frsh water in a clean ceramic dish.
Should I be worried?
Thanks in advance for any advice

[opus88]

good for you and all the digging for info that you've done!! you are absolutely on the RIGHT track with foods, Natural Balance grain free is an EXCELLENT food...not only for cats with allergies but for all cats!!
If this one doesn't work out keep going by the suggestions of this natural foods store, they appear to know what they are talking about.
Please though stay OFF the steroid shots, believe me I've been there too with my Himalayan and his allergies. the steroids only give temporary relief as you've seen and they WILL lead to many health problems such as diabetes for your kitty....this can all be handled with changes to diet and environment so please do not do the steroids any longer..
Welcome to our Cat forum, I hope you will stay with us ...we are just a group of cat owners(parents) who like to exchange ideas or problems and help one another out...
we'd love to have you and your kitties visit us frequently.....♥

[anyone567]

Very similar problem I have a half maine coon have domestic cat and our problem has been going on for 4 years. At first in the summers she would just lick her back end hair off making her looking like a lion but it always grew back in the winter, like a dummy I thought she was just hot. It wen on like this for thw whole 4 years but then it began getting worse. I work from home and she loves and gets plenty attention. She loved going outside but I couldn't let her where we lived. When we moved my friend said oh just wait til she gets outside it will get better..not. just worse. Now she was licking her belly all her paws anywhere she could lick and was getting scabs. So I thought she might be allergic to fleas. She had one flea bite n her skin just got so scabby fwlt so bad for her being itchy. N in my experience the itch creams n sprays don't work bc she licks them off. So I changed her litter to yesterdays news.. highly reccomend it..and finally went to the vet, they gave her a steroid injection (which worked immediatley) and told me to but frontline flea and tick drops in case she was allergic to fleas. So her fur started growing back bc she was not itchy anymore. But after a month the steroid wore off and she was back to itching..I now only wash my blankets and clothes in sensitive unscented natural detergent..I even tried a calming liquid that goes in her food incase it was behavioral..so I went back to the vet 3 months later they gave her another steroid shot for her own relief but said I had to figure out what she was allergic to. But I had to wait for the shot to wear off to see which food (and protein) was working, so last week I picked up NATURAL BALANCE LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET GREEN PEA AND DUCK FORMULA. (My 6lb bag was only 11.99, not too bad) Thank god she took a liking to it right away bc there r 2 other cats in the house who free eat reg iams dry cat food and she won't even touch it, I feed my cat in my bedroom and the other cats don't touch her food. Its like she knows what's good for her and so far no excessive licking, just grooming. And I love to see her beautiful stripes come back in. Also the natural pet store I go to said if this protein doesn't work they will keep exchanging the food til I find one (venison, rabbit, real salmon, ect) and they also pointed out that its not just a change in the protein but by taking the grains and starches out of the cat food makes a huge difference. So check that your food says GRAIN FREE. I know its been a while but I hope my story helps others. I would cover all grounds: good unscented liter (yesterdays news is the best I've found, frontline drops (even for indoor cats bc we can bring them inside from outdoors), unscented laundry detergent (if your cats snuggle in your beds or clothes), and finally a grain free limited ingredient product with real protein source, not by products, such as duck or rabbit, even dhidken is still okay as long as it follows the guidelines above I reccomend any of **** Van Pattens NATURAL BALANCE BRANDS because they work great, aren't too costly and offer free exchanges or refunds. Good luck to everyone with itchy, fur licking cats... oh ps even if your cats problem wasn't behavorial to begin with if not treated in time, it can sometimes become behavioral bc they get so used to excessive "grooming" it becomes a habit. Okay I'm done for real GOOD luck All.

[mopete]

My 2 yr old tabby has two sores in the neck area...about the size of a big quarter, no hair in those areas. Have had it for 6 weeks. Have switched diet to no grain, chicken, beef, salmon. I have use the pea and venison formula mentioned in this forum...they have not had a problem yet with it but if it is bad food I will change to something else.
Been two vet twice...on steroids...no trying antibiotics and antihistimines. Have not tries litter yet but that is next. Just when it seems the sore gets better either he or his brother upset it somehow. Just curious how long these type of sores take to heal...seems forever...will call the vet again but just looking to see other experiences.

[Ryzingkat]

Erm.  That is supposed to be "I recently lost..."  I'm illiterate.

[Ryzingkat]

I recently found a lost a cat to a brain tumor and was quickly granted a new one by fate despite my many attempts to resist getting another.  But here he is.  Bacchus Thistlewood is here to stay.  Only problem is that he is neurotic and none too bright.  As a submissive male abandoned in a garbage can he can with a lions share of baggage.  I treated him for fleas and blamed his omnipresent chewing on stress.  But it just wouldn't stop!!!  I bought pheromone spray to comfort him, changed his diet and litter, got him a collar with happy-kitty scents in it and calming cat treats, toys, and EVEN a kitten!  Now I have two cats.  One who is licking constantly and mad at me for bringing in an interloper and another who can't seem to grasp the fundamentals of bathing at all.  I was so hoping Bacchus would share his enthusiastic tongue with The Rawhide Kit.  Alas.  I suppose I will try looking into seasonal allergies next.  Does anyone know of any products sold over-the-counter or home-remedy-esk that might help with allergies?  I've recently spent a great deal of money on vet bills and will be needing to save up before I can rack up anymore.