My 7yr old Cat AlleyCat is knibbling her hair off

[AlleyCat7yrold]

I have a 7yr old Cat that has started licking and knibbling at her hair. She is a completely indoor cat (spayed and de-clawed) and always has been. We have a 3yr old small dog. 3 months ago we got a bad flea infestation and it took some time but we got rid of them. Both animals are treated every months with flea meds (but had never had to treat our animals for fleas before this outbrake). During the outbrake AlleyCat cleared all the hair on her belly area (no lesions or sores). And now she is knibbling the hair on her right side (no lesions or sores). And its not bald just very short. In the past she had been a very stand off kitty and in the past six months she has become alot more friendly (I thought it was just age). She has been on the the same food and useing the same litter for the past 7yrs. We moved about 9mths ago and her enviroment is much better then it had been for a long time. She has a very relaxed and none stressful life now. No new kids or animals have come into her life.

Im just wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this and what i can do to make it better.  

[opus88]

hi Alleycat and welcome, heres a link to our HEALTH PAGES with several great websites to search out and learn ALL the reasons behind hair loss due to many causes. flea allergy dermatitis definitely one of the possibilities since you mentioned the flea infestation that proceeded the over grooming. this link will give you suggestions on how to treat....good luck, keep us posted please.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Pets/CAUSES-OF-HAIR-LOSS-IN-CAT-and-PHOTOS/show/1201?cid=2

[nancyjac]

Sounds like she is allergic to flea saliva. The unfortunate thing about those monthly flea treatments is that they only kill live fleas and only after they have already bitten. A cat who is allergic to fleas will react to a single flea bite. I would suggest flea treatment that kills fleas and eggs before they bite.  She may also need a topical or systemic antihistamine to counter the allergic reaction.