Why is my cat picking and licking one spot? Is it stress or pain?

Question

Hi my cat has being picking at this one area for the past three months which has related in the picture below. Should i be looking for something to add to her food or something i can place directly on the skin? Thanks. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

This is a sign of overgrooming. Overgrooming is a sign of stress and one way of a sensitive or nervous kitty to relieve the stress. If your cat is an older cat this could also be a sign of pain, possibly arthritis of the spinal cord or hips. By the time cats reach the age of 7 they will start to get arthritis and some cats groom and lick the area that hurts. You will need to reduce the stress, ie find out what upsets her, this could be kids fighting , moving furniture, new baby, new boy or girl friend, neighbor's cat threatening her through the window, etc. Get some Feliway dispensers and plug them in in the areas where your cat spends most of her time. Feliway needs to be used for at least three months. It is a pheromone that makes cats happy and so reduces stress significantly. Have your vet examine her spine and hips for arthritis (palpation, x-ray) and rule out pain as the cause.

Why is my cat picking and licking one spot? Is it stress or pain?

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