cat licking to scabbing

[Cat_Lovers_Mother]

we learned that our cat is allergic to fleas years ago when she licked her back to point of skin damage.  hasn't had fleas since.  she has now started licking her back (along her spine) like she did previously and i'm noticing a small scab already.  i see / detect no fleas or evidence.  she's had no unusual stress and no dietary / lifestyle changes.  please help if you can...

[opus88]

hi...poor kitty, something is really irritating him, CML is right in her advice abt flea bites...

something else you can try is diet change...cats get allergic reactions to their diets even if they've been eating the same thing for a long time, particularly chicken or soy or grains..

OR it can be a chemical sensitivity....have you gotten new furniture or rugs recently? using new soap in your washing machine? Use only Vinegar to wash your floors with, added a room freshner? perfume/hairspray/candles???? cats are very sensitive to all these..
and most allergic reactions in cats show up as SKIN irritations..

how old is your kitty? excessive licking...can sometimes also be a sign of hyperThyroidism....have he or she had blood work done recently to rule out medical problems?

I strongly suggest you try the diet change, most Vets will tell you to try a hypoallergenic diet....this are tasteless and most cats hate them, but try...at least try something from a good pet store that is a new protien(not chicken) and grain free

also try eliminating as many scents as possible from your home...clean everything with vinegar only. I had to do all this for my Sami who also has skin issues due to sensitivities..I also found out he can't eat dry food...or he breaks out, there are many chemicals/preservatives and additives in dry food that cats are sensitive too

[CML2014]

Hi Cat,

Just to be sure she does not have fleas....take a white sheet and comb her over it. If little brown flecks fall off onto the sheet--well she has fleas. If you squish them they will turn into reddish streaks.

Usually cats are allergic to the flea BITE so she may have had a run in with some Flea gangs in the neighborhood you don't know about.

If no fleas then she needs to see the vet. Hard to say what it could be until it is seen and their is a skin scraping taken.

Good Luck and let us know what happens.
CML