Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/16/2009

Question
i was wondering why my cat regularly chews at her arm and pulls her fur out, its always on her arms, we've given her medication incase is could be a skin condition or infections but nothings working. shes  an indoor cat and is scared of almost everything. could it be that shes stressed or has anxiety? if so, how could i help calm her?

Answer
Cherokee,

A medical issue causing her behavior should be ruled out before treating it as a behavioral or emotional problem. Some possible medical conditions are cystitis, inflammation of anal sacs, hyperthyroidism, allergies or hypersensitivity to parasites, food, dust, pollen, or mold.

You didn't mention if you have treated her for fleas. She may have Flea Dermatitis. That is an allergy to flea saliva. Even ONE flea or flea bite can cause a reaction such as your cat is having.

If a trial dose of steroids controls excess grooming, the condition is probably medical and not psychogenic in origin.

Compulsive 0ver-grooming behavior is called Psychogenic Alopecia. Hair loss is generally on areas only accessible to the cat such as the abdomen, flank, back, chest, and legs. It is a way to reduce emotional tension  due to psychological reasons such as stress, nervousness, fear or anxiety. It is more common in purebred cats of Oriental breeds.

You can try and determine the cause of the cat's anxiety and/or stress and if possible eliminate it. Often though you may not be able to figure out the exact cause because if she is the nervous type, she will react the same way to any cause of stress to her. Even you arguing with someone may stress her. If that is the case anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication (like kitty Prozac) is prescribed to keep the psychogenic behavior in check. Sometimes, as with people, it can take a few weeks to begin to work on the cat. I would speak to your vet about it.

Tabbi