My cat is chewing its tail and ripping out fur. What's the cause?

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!

Poor Frenchy! It certainly could be stress. If you haven't yet, I would try an anti-anxiety medicine like amitryptilline. If you can't give a pill, your vet can call the compounding pharmacy and see about getting it put into a gel that can be put on her ear tip. Cats that are mostly indoors easily get frustrated because that don't get to do the normal things outdoor cats get to do like hunting, etc. Also, if your vet hasn't tried a long acting steroid like depo-Medrol, I would talk to them about that. Steroids are great for allergies and cats usually tolerate it well as long as they are otherwise healthy. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Ketkat! The most common reason for chewing the back or the tail is fleas. Use a fine tooth comb and brush above her hips and down the tail. If you catch an adult flea in the comb you have an answer. If you don't, use a wet white tissue or paper towel to remove the fur and debris from the comb. If you see black squiggly flecks that when wet look like blood streaks that indicates flea poop. I would recommend a good flea preventative like the Serest collar, Bravecto for Comfortis. be sure that ALL animals in the house are treated. Other possibilities are skin allergies from the environment or food and cats can over groom from anxiety or behavioral reasons. If you do not find fleas I would take her to the Vet for a diagnosis so you can get her feeling better. I wish you all the best!

If you’ve ruled or fleas, it could be some other allergy, though over grooming is not uncommon as a behavioral issue. Here is an article I think you may find very helpful. https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/overgrooming-cats/ Thanks for asking PetCoach!

Hello and than your for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect Macaroni has allergic skin problem and that's way he is biting and scratching excessively. Sometimes blocked anal glands can produce itchiness in that area, so it should be checked as well. Please, take Macaroni to your local vets for an appointment. If the ointment worked only for short time, your cat will most likely need a stronger anti-inflammatory medication, possibly as injection or in tablet form to reduce the itchiness and inflammation. For now, try and stop him from biting the skin as he will make things worse. Head cone works usually best in such cases.

[Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/) are the most common cause of hair loss and [excessive grooming in cats](https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help), but there are several other medical causes as well - including [fleas](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-rid-of-fleas/), bacterial or fungal infections, or skin mites. I would definitely start your cat on a good monthly spot-on product such as [Advantage II](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat/cat-flea-and-tick/cat-flea-and-tick-drops/advantage-ii-once-a-month-cat-and-kitten-topical-flea-treatment-over-9-lbs) to make sure fleas are not the problem - you can get this over the counter at many pet stores. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you will need to have your cat examined by a vet - he/she can do some testing if needed to diagnose the problem and get your kitty the appropriate prescription medications to treat it. Behavioral causes, such as stress or anxiety, can also lead to overgrooming. [Calming supplements](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-training/cat-training-calming-aids/calming-cat-supplements) or [pheromone products](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/brand/feliway) can be found at the lcocal Petco. If these do not improve the condition, your veterinarian may recommend prescription strength remedies.

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!