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Why is my cat licking herself raw, causing painful skin sores?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

Cat has sores by licking until raw

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2018

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Licking until raw is a sign of irritation. This irritation can be due to fleas, other skin parasites, and sometimes other diseases such as tumors, intestinal pain if it on the stomach, or just a simple skin infection. I would recommend a visit to your vet for pain medications and antibiotics, and you will also need an E-collar to stop the self-trauma that is making it worse.
Best of luck with Jackson!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 17th, 2019
These lesions are most likely caused by Farrah licking. The reason for her licking could be a few. She may have fleas, she may have allergies or it can be OCD. I recommend getting her skin evaluated and potentially getting antibiotics. I recommend a ecollar on her also. I would also recommend flea prevention even if she is indoors. This is where I would start with treatment.
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on March 3rd, 2019
Poor Tweetie! In most cases, excessive licking with hair loss, raw spots, or skin irritation is caused by a medical problem of some kind - some possible causes would include allergies (food allergies, or an allergy to something in the environment), a bacterial or fungal skin infection, fleas, or skin mites (mange). Treatment will depend on what the underlying problem is, so it's important to get a diagnosis first in order to know how to help her.

I would recommend taking Tweetie to the vet for an exam. He/she can do some simple skin tests if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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