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1716071 tn?1308803156

Cat Licking Belly&BackLeg fur off

I have a 10 year-old, orange, shorthair, indoor (though we could have tracked anything indoors on our shoes), female cat.

Approximately 2 months ago she started licking her back legs a lot. Over a few weeks she licked her inner back legs and lower belly completely bare. About 2 weeks ago I noticed very faint pink dots on the bare skin. They were not raised bumps. They were not there before. One week ago she has licked the pink spots so much they are much more noticable now, though still not raised even as much as acne bumps to make a comparison. This week she has licked a spot or two to rawness. She is also licking small bald areas to her front legs.

She has NO FLEAS. I do not think it is ALLERGIES as her diet/environment has not changed. I've seen her go hours and hours without licking her belly but then I'd come into my bedroom some afternoon and she's licking her belly and legs again. None of my other cats as of yet have begun to lick their fur off.
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Avatar universal
My cat is doing the same now.. She started about month and half ago,  maybe two.  Hair on belly is gone,  now she is working on outer hind leg.  It almost seems she is hellbent to do it, even after I stop her.  She also would only allow you to pet her head and never lay on me or by me. However, about a moNth ago,  She started to occasionally lay by me. Two weeks ago,  She started to lay by my side on couch constantly.  My other two are fine,  and I haven't changed anything from my normal routine around the house. ??
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Avatar universal
I have a kitty doing the same thing.  We have moved from Phoenix to Norhtern Nevada, and he is still doing it.  Tried un scented clay litter and that wasn't it, either.  Tried switching to a grain-free food and it got worse.  I understand grain and chicken a the main things cats develops an allergy to, so my next step is to try NO CHICKEN.  Ugh.  Good luck to all of us!!
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Avatar universal
My Yeollow Tabby is doing the same thing. NO spots though.
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13525158 tn?1432856530
I have a cat that has the same problem. He was trapped as a feral to be integrated into my feral colony. There was something in his eyes that told me he just needed love & I was right! It was obvious he had been in a lot of fights & had led an unhappy life. He's now leading a charmed life, which he so richly deserves!
Anyhow, he has OCD. I only pet him around his face & belly. If I pet his back in the slightest, it will trigger him to lick. I use aromatherapy to keep him calm (you can also use a tincture in her water).  Redirection also helps, using a favorite toy & then rewarding with a treat. The main thing is to get her focus off licking & be diligent in order to modify her behavior. Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
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Avatar universal
I have 7 cats only one licks all her hair off. they all use the same litter and eat the same food. We have used other foods, other litter and have moved. She mostly does it in the warmer months. Her belly is bare and she is licking hair off behind her front legs now. she does this every year. I was told it is allergies. I gave her medication from a vet for allergies once and it did work. I have since purchased childrens allergy pills and cut them in half it helps but not a cure. I am not suggesting you try this. I am trying this as a more inexpensive remedy. Hope it helps to know it is an allergy and not always what you are doing wrong.
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1716071 tn?1308803156
We don't really use cleaners in this house, I've long been a fan on water/vinegar spray for cleaning and I don't have anything fancy the would require polishing. She doesn't play in the bathtub where we use the foamy commercial cleaner. It think it has to be then the air freshener spay my sister uses. She doesn't like the "cat smell" and likes to spray the couches and her bedroom with it, a ferbreeze or something like it. If I stop her from using it how long until I could see results, when would my cat stop licking herself? I'm worried that it'll be a habit for her by now and she'll keep licking even if we get rid of the irritant.
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