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Is my cat's excessive licking and bald spots due to anxiety?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered

Hello I think my cat snoopy has anxiety but I am unsure he has a lot of bald spots due to biting scratching and licking himself way more than he should he also has many sores from it please help!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 14th, 2017

Hi thank you for using PetCoach. Excessive grooming can certainly be due to behavioral causes but it could also be due to primary allergic or skin disease. Ideally I would recommend a veterinary work up to in sure there's not a medical condition for his licking and grooming. Allergies, parasites and even some immune system disorders can cause itchiness and sores on the skin. If it does appear to be behavioral the vet can also diet you as far as possibly using anti-anxiety medications to help snoopy. When anxiety treatment you can do at home is he using Feliway pheromone products. These can help reduce stress and anxiety in cats. https://www.feliway.com/uk/Cat-behaviour/Is-your-Cat-over-grooming And there are anxiety or behavioral medications that can be used short term for potential he chronically if needed to help snoopy stop his over grooming. I hope this helps, thank you for using PetCoach.

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