Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat is licking her belly bald. Is it anxiety or a skin issue?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Why is my ten year old car missing all the hair from her belly and inner thighs? Im pretty sure she’s licked it all off, shes bald! Theres a couple spots on her front legs missing hair too but she’s fine on her face, chest, and back. she’s spayed, vaccinated, otherwise healthy but has always been a bit jumpy. Is it general anxiety or something fungal? Theres no lesions or rough or bleeding areas. Just bald skin.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 24th, 2018

Hello!

Cats commonly cope with anxiety by over-grooming themselves, usually in their belly region. I think you are exactly right that she has licked the fur off.

In a fungal infection, I would expect to see redness of the skin, crusting, or discharge.

The first thing I'd recommend for anxious kitties is a product called Feliway. It's a feline pheromone product that helps naturally calm cats. It can come in diffuser, spray, and collar forms.
Cats also find great comfort in height. If she doesn't have many high places to perch around the house, that can be something that helps her interact more.

There are also options of anxiolytic drugs, such as Prozac, that can help if you don't find success in the other options.

I hope this helps!
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 23rd, 2017
Stress can definitely cause cats to lick their bellies causing hair loss. You could try a Feliway diffuser or spray and see if that helps alleviate some stress. Your vet could also prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, like Prozac or Trazodone. As for the spot behind her ear, she may have an ear infection and may be scratching at her ear causing the hair loss. Have your vet take a look at her to determine if treatment is needed. Hopefully she adjusts to her "mom" going to school! That is so sweet that they are so close.

http://www.feliway.com/us
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on March 12th, 2019
Hi, and thanks for your question.
This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites.
Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc).
Even though it is best wait for biopsy results, some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics).
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 19th, 2019
I am sorry to hear about your kitty! Excessive licking and balding is often a sign of an allergy in cats. There can be many different causes of allergies, which you can read about at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952664 . I would recommend an examination at her veterinarian to see if there is any secondary infection that requires treatment and get her started on treatment for possible allergies.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 16th, 2021
I see what you mean about Kitty. Because you don't know what caused it, I would not give her any medication or apply anything to it. She will just lick off any medication you apply topically, which isn't good for her. The vet can prescribe what is needed to treat it safely. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

Is my cat's excessive licking and bald spots due to anxiety?

Hi thank you for using PetCoach. Excessive grooming can certainly be due to behavioral causes but it could also be due to primary allergic or skin disease. Ideally I would recommend a veterinary work up to in sure there's not a medical condition for his licking and grooming. Allergies, parasites and even some immune system disorders can cause itchiness and sores on the skin. If it does appear to be behavioral the vet can also diet you as far as possibly using anti-anxiety medications to help snoopy. When anxiety treatment you can do at home is he using Feliway pheromone products. These can help reduce stress and anxiety in cats. https://www.feliway.com/uk/Cat-behaviour/Is-your-Cat-over-grooming And there are anxiety or behavioral medications that can be used short term for potential he chronically if needed to help snoopy stop his over grooming. I hope this helps, thank you for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Cat overgrooming belly, causing pink skin. Is it anxiety?

Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent excessive grooming. This may be enough to allow for healing. A pheromone product such as Feliway spray or plug in diffuser may decrease any anxiety. If the behavior persists, have Cina examined by your veterinarian or a certified veterinary behaviorist. Prescription anxiety medication may be indicated along with behavioral modification.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My rescued cat licks bald spots. Is it anxiety, allergies, or fleas?

It's not impossible for a cat to have stress that is causing the excessive licking but usually it is an allergy and the most common allergy for a cat is fleas. Even if you don't see them on her. Since you mentioned that you rescued her from outside my guess is that she has fleas. Cats don't like to have fleas so they will groom themselves excessively to get the fleas off which is why you often won't see them. Here is a good article that may help you determine if fleas are present. http://www.petmd.com/cat/parasites/evr_ct_does_my_cat_have_fleas I would start with fleas as the number one consideration and if you determine there are no fleas then you should get her to the vet for some testing. If you determine fleas are present I would treat her with a GOOD topical flea prevention like Advantage II or Fronline- DO NOT use Hartz or Seargant brands. They are awful and cause many toxicities in cats. You need to apply this EVERY month even if she does not go outside. You also need to treat the environment (so the inside of the house and the yard if she goes outside). https://www.chewy.com/virbac-knockout-es-area-treatment/dp/53856 https://www.chewy.com/advantage-ii-yard-premise-spray-32/dp/103395 If you want to work the stress angle I see no harm in doing that as well. I suggest you get Feliway diffusers for your house to see if that helps. https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected Hope this answers your question. Best wishes!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Cat has an irritated spot on his stomach. Is it anxiety licking?

Hi there! It appears from the picture that it's a patch of irritated skin- this can be caused from self trauma (obsessive licking), allergies, or a skin infection. Many cats cope with anxiety by over-grooming themselves, and they most commonly do it in the belly area. From your story, I'm suspicious that Jack was nervous while you were away and possibly did this to himself. For this spot to go away, he needs to stop licking it. This can be done by putting on a cone collar or a shirt- whatever you think he will tolerate best. As far as fixing the problem in the future, I'd recommend using Feliway products. It's a natural feline pheromone that helps to relieve anxiety. If that's not helpful, your vet can recommend a low dose anti-anxiety drug to help him get through stressful times, like when family members are away. If the area begins to ooze or smell bad, it is a sign of an infection. Your vet will likely take a sample to find the cause of the lesion, and then treat with antibiotics and possibly antihistamines or anti-inflammatories. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My cat keeps biting his belly. Why is he losing fur and what can I do?

Such overgrooming in cats can be related to allergies or anxiety - feeding a calming food such as royal canin calm or adding a claming supplement containing b vitamins, tryptophan and casein can also help. Occasionally antiinflammatory medications may need to be prescribed by your vet in order to break the recurrent itch-scratch/groom cycle and allow the skin to heal

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my cat over-grooming, losing hair, and getting bald spots?

If there is no medical reason such as fleas or food allergy and it is behavioral there is medication to help. She may notice another animal or cat outside that is new that is stressing her out and causing her to do this more, There may be a new neighbor with a dog that she smells passing by the door increasing her anxiety. You can start with feliway diffusers and sprays to help in side the apartment. You can also talk to your vet about anxiety medication to start her on to decrease this behavior.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat is licking his legs and tummy bald. What can I do?

Cat pheromone therapy to decrease stress is my recommendation. The product is called Feliway. I suggest using the diffuser product. ( https://www.feliway.com/au/Why-Feliway/Bald-patch-on-cat!-Here-is-how-to-help ) The other thing to do is environmental enrichment. ( thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats ) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejmrLa_Cs4 )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share