Shadow Is Overgrooming Again......

I'm at a loss. She was so much happier when we had her teeth taken care of. She's still playing (even pushing age 10) with her catnip toys, but she's licked her belly bald again.

The vet told me to put Vapo-Rub on her stomach, as the smell repels them, but she's licking anyway! We're on vacation next week, and she goes to the doctor as soon as we get back.

She's an indoor cat, so I'm doubtful on fleas. I suppose it could be her food. She's on Iams food, though. It's good food. It's weight management/hairball food. She's not really overweight - she's at the tip top of normal for her size - the vet said she didn't want her to weigh any more.

Any suggestions?

 

Have you introduced any new things such as new pets into the home? My mom's cat was very stressed and licked himself just about bald when she brought home two kittens.

 

No - no new pets. We are going away in a week, but we haven't started packing or anything yet. We decided to leave her at home and have my mom come to her rather than stress her out by sending her to mom's, and her two cats whom Shadow really doesn't care for.

The more I think about it, her belly may be itchy because when I rub or scratch it, she purrs really loudly and gets her feet going.

I'd still appreciate any thoughts before my vet visit.

Thanks!

 

I wouldn't use Vicks vaporub....shouldn't even use it in vaporizers with sick cats.
And it could be the food.....my foster Dixie can't eat Iams - I put her on the Iams weight control food and she lost all the fur around her eyes and on top of her ears. She looked strange. I put her back on Purina One and the fur grew right back in.
Is your cat licking her belly raw? Could be allergies...and I can imagine the Vicks Vapor Rub must hurt like heck when putting it on raw skin.
I'd change food, leave her free of stuff and see what happens.

 

I stopped the Vapo Rub when I saw her licking it anyway. I didn't want her ingesting it. It worked when she was pulling at her stitches years ago. When I called the vet, they confirmed that I should stop it if she's licking anyway - I told her I already had.

She was on Purina One Hairball Control for years. We switched when she began having problems with her teeth, as we thought the Iams would be easier to manage. I think I'll put her back on Purina One and see what happens.