My cat keeps licking a bald spot on his paw. When should I see a vet?

An e-collar (cone) will prevent further licking. A physical exam with your veterinarian may diagnose the underlying cause. He may be painful in the joint, have local infection (bacterial or fungal) or have allergies (flea bite, food or environmental). Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis.

Hair loss like that is not normal, no. It's a good idea to bring Meow Meow to your vet just to rule out any potential issues such as fungal or bacterial infections that could be causing it. If it was caused by stress leading to overgrooming, keeping the sweater on can help reduce the irritation and allow the area to heal. As for cleaning, keeping it dry and removing any debris with a clean warm washcloth should be enough unless there is a visible wound or infection present.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to know exactly what is needed without an examination though this does sound severe enough that it warrants an evaluation by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check if further surgery is needed or possibly treat for a likely infection and most importantly start Selina on medications for pain as this is likely painful. In the meantime, you may use an e-collar to prevent licking. Good luck and have a great day!

This nipple was irritated by a scrape or insect bite I think, then Mishi started licking it excessively causing it to be more inflammed today with the hair loss. I recommend using a cone on him to prevent licking. Then clean the area with hydrogen peroxide and you can apply a thin film of cortisone cream on it to soothe the skin. If it isn’t improving then you should bring him in for an exam and treatment. This will continue to get worse if he keeps licking the area. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Mishi.

It could be an allergy or food sensitivities. It may also be behavioral or boredom. Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further licking. Have your veterinarian examine Astro to diagnose skin infection (bacterial or fungal) and to discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials. Consider interactive toys to keep him distracted and pheromone products such as Feliway spray or plug in diffuser to decrease any anxiety.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Casper. I recommend that that he sees a veterinarian. He will likely need to have the hair shaved to better evaluate under area. He could have an infection, a wound or be experiencing an allergy. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent any further self trauma. Based on his exam findings, his veterinarian will prescribe medication to help him feel better. I hope this information helps!

An Elizabethan (cone) collar to stop Lily from licking is a good first step as that will stop the irritation and spread of any bacteria from her tongue. Keeping the sore spot clean and dry with a washcloth or pet wipe can also help it to heal and clear up with less irritation. Hair coming back can take a bit longer if it's been licked bald. If the area doesn't heal even with home care, or worsens, a vet visit is best to check the spot, and treat it for any infection, etc.