My rescued cat licks bald spots. Is it anxiety, allergies, or fleas?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | 5.4 lbs
I rescued my cat from outside about a month or two ago. We switched her to dry food recently and we also switched her litter. When we first got her she had a bald patch on her head and neck. Her bald spot filled in a while ago but she's been constantly licking and scratching herself to the point where she has another semi bald spot. We recently went on a weekend trip and we had to leave her home where she was basically alone, I'm thinking it could be an anxiety thing or allergies.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 5th, 2017
It's not impossible for a cat to have stress that is causing the excessive licking but usually it is an allergy and the most common allergy for a cat is fleas. Even if you don't see them on her. Since you mentioned that you rescued her from outside my guess is that she has fleas. Cats don't like to have fleas so they will groom themselves excessively to get the fleas off which is why you often won't see them. Here is a good article that may help you determine if fleas are present. http://www.petmd.com/cat/parasites/evr_ct_does_my_cat_have_fleas I would start with fleas as the number one consideration and if you determine there are no fleas then you should get her to the vet for some testing. If you determine fleas are present I would treat her with a GOOD topical flea prevention like Advantage II or Fronline- DO NOT use Hartz or Seargant brands. They are awful and cause many toxicities in cats. You need to apply this EVERY month even if she does not go outside. You also need to treat the environment (so the inside of the house and the yard if she goes outside). https://www.chewy.com/virbac-knockout-es-area-treatment/dp/53856 https://www.chewy.com/advantage-ii-yard-premise-spray-32/dp/103395 If you want to work the stress angle I see no harm in doing that as well. I suggest you get Feliway diffusers for your house to see if that helps. https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected Hope this answers your question. Best wishes!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 1st, 2017
If she licks them frequently you can start by putting an e-collar around her neck, that will prevent the licking and might hep them healing by doing that. you could also put an antiseptic cream on those patches 2 times a day, but only after you put that collar on.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on March 24th, 2019
Poor Alice! This could be a skin infection, fleas, mites, or allergies. You are right that she does need to see a vet, but you have to stop her from licking the bald patches. That just makes them worse. I would put an Ecollar on her to stop her. I will put a link below on how to make one at home. I hope this helps! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ffR-LzyW1M
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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