Cat biting fur off, causing sores. Is it stress or allergies?

Question

My cat 11 has been biting his forearms and around his tail removing hair and creating very sore red patches that go scabby. He has done this for 4 years now. We have tried a steroid injection which worked well for 6 weeks at a time but have moved on to atopica which, if given every other day, works well at reducing his biting. His behaviour has changed recently and he will avoid the people who give him his medication and we think this is causing a lot of stress. What could this skin problem be? Pet's info: Cat | British Shorthair | Male | neutered

Dr. Davis · Accepted Answer

This overgrooming behavior is often due to stress and/or allergies. You can try using Feliway a pheromone diffuser which often relaxes cats. I've also had success with the anti anxiety supplement Solliquin. Solliquin is a soft chew and most cats like it. If giving oral medication is making Jasper stressed out then I would go back to giving the steroid injection for a while. You can also have the medication compounded into a tuna flavored liquid you can mix in the food then you wouldn't have pill Jasper. This is a difficult problem and you've done well controlling it. I also often try a long acting antibiotic injection as this will stop any infection in the skin and that may reduce the chewing and biting. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Jasper.

Cat biting fur off, causing sores. Is it stress or allergies?

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