My cat's stress grooming won't stop. Tried products, what now?

I'm sorry Lynx has problems with anxiety. One option for decreasing stress is to add a Feliway Diffuser ( https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected ) to your house. This is a calming pheromone that will work for a month and may be beneficial long term. I have also had luck with Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water. Although you mentioned that this has been a long time problem, it certainly would be worth having your veterinarian examine Lynx to check for any underlying skin problems that are playing a role in her over grooming. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Personally I would try to reduce stress in the household by providing private, quiet areas for her to relax, use a pheromone diffuser like Feliway, try anti anxiety supplement like Solliquin, and if you need medication to stop it right away I prefer using a long acting steroid injection. Giving daily medication to a cat is stressful in itself and I don’t like to medicate cats excessively for overgrooming. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Archie.

Yes, the overgrooming can be from stress or anxiety. To control it quickly you can get a steroid injection from your veterinarian. You can also try using a pheromone diffuser like Feliway, and the anti anxiety supplement Solliquin. These things will help stop the overgrooming until she settles in with the new cat. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Obi.

This overgrooming behavior is often due to stress and/or allergies. You can try using Feliway a pheromone diffuser which often relaxes cats. I've also had success with the anti anxiety supplement Solliquin. Solliquin is a soft chew and most cats like it. If giving oral medication is making Jasper stressed out then I would go back to giving the steroid injection for a while. You can also have the medication compounded into a tuna flavored liquid you can mix in the food then you wouldn't have pill Jasper. This is a difficult problem and you've done well controlling it. I also often try a long acting antibiotic injection as this will stop any infection in the skin and that may reduce the chewing and biting. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Jasper.

Wow - Bits certainly has groomed all of the fur off of her abdomen! The two most common causes of overgrooming in cats include allergies and anxiety/stress. I'm glad to hear that all of her diagnostic tests have been normal, but unfortunately, neither of these issues show up with blood tests or imaging. I would ask your vet if they feel that she would be a good candidate for a medication to help manage some allergies in cats (Atopica) or anti-anxiety medication (Prozac is the most common option). The only way to get her fur to grow back is to treat the underlying issue, although it will still take some time and patience. I hope that everything goes well for Bits!

This is usually from overgrooming due to stress. In the photo the skin looks normal and you are correct there isn’t any evidence of fleas. Often this starts with a change in the household from a new pet, new person or moving. You can try using a pheromone diffuser like Feliway to help her relax and there are calming supplements like Solliquin that can reduce her anxiety as well. Make sure she has a quiet, private place so she can escape any commotion in your house. As far as treatment goes giving an anti inflammation injection or pills will let the fur grow back but unless the reason is addressed this may recur. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lola.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Excessive licking and grooming in cats is often related to allergies or stress. Moving house and adapting to the new environment can be stressful for many cats. Cat pheromones (for example Feliway) are typically used to treat stress-related overgrooming. They are available over-the-counter at pet shops and Online retailers. It wound be definitely worth to try a pheromone diffuser for Naomi. However, if the overgrooming start causing skin wounds, skin inflammation or hair falling, you should take Naomi to your vets to check her over and potentially investigate for allergic problems.