Why is my new cat biting her tail until it bleeds and loses fur?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies as opposed to being behavioral. This is possibly more specifically due to flea allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tiggy! He is adorable and looks to be a tabby domestic shorthair. I think the easiest thing to do is check for fleas. Fleas love the tail area and are very itchy. I would also treat for fleas. Over the counter options are Frontline or the Seresto collar. I wish you the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor guy! Your pictures are adorable! Even though he is an indoor cat, fleas can still get inside. Your description makes me think he is very itchy and cats can act crazy when they are itchy. I would take a fine tooth comb and comb him on his back by his tail. Then wipe the comb on a white wet paper towel. If you see black squiggly flecks that dissolve with water to bloody streaks that is flea poop. Obviously if you see adult fleas you have an answer. Check his skin for scabs. Another possibility is full anal glands. Those would need to be checked by a Vet. If he is eating and otherwise fine have him checked about the holiday. Good luck!

He could have pain in his tail from a skin wound or fracture that is causing him to traumatize his tail. He might also have feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a likely neurologic disease that can result in self trauma. I’d recommend having your vet examine him to see if there is any evidence of other diseases and to discuss starting medication if needed.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. He may have full anal glands that need to be expressed or be dealing with an allergy. This could also be stress related. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would have the vet check his anal glands to make sure that is not the cause. You can also try the Feliway products, which can be found online or at you local PetCo. Feliway is a pheromone product that might help relax him if this is due to anxiety.I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lilly! I would have Lilly rechecked. At a bare minimum she needs medications (prednisolone taper) to relieve the itching. I would request that a skin scrape be performed to rule out skin mites. They are microscopic and need to be looked at under a microscope. I would also culture the area for ringworm. She may have allergies and I would suggest trying to change her diet first. Chicken is the number one allergic protein so try to change her to all venison or salmon diet. You will need to give the diet 2-3 months to see if it works. If mites, ringworm and food allergies have been rule out then I would consider it behavioral and start her on prozac. I hope this helps and I wish you and Lilly the very best! Happy New Year!

If she isn't on a flea preventative, that is one thing she should get on right away. Some cats have an allergy to flea bites, and all it takes is one flea to cause the itch to start. You may not find a couple fleas with a flea comb. Since she has trauma to her skin, I would recommend that you have Meow Meow examined by the vet. She may need an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory while we work on why she is pulling out her hair. In addition to fleas, there are other causes, such as pain, anxiety, mites, food allergies, etc. Here is a good article explaining what might be going on: https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/