Why is my cat licking fur off her inner thighs and groin area?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 4 years and 9 months old
My cat has been licking the fur from the inside of her back legs to her groin and I would like to know the possible cause and solutions to the issue. She does not have any fleas or noticeable sickness that I can see.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 17th, 2018
Your kitty is likely a nervous or stressed cat, especially if stressful events (new neighborhood cat, new boyfriend, new baby, mvoing, removing or adding furniture, new puppy , etc.) have happened before she started the excessive licking. This licking pattern would be typical for overgrooming. Your vet needs to rule out parasites, fungal and bacterial infections. If there is none of these then you can try to help your cat by removing anything stressful in the house that can be removed and placing Feliway dispensers in the areas she spends most of the time. Feliway is a pheromone that makes cats happy and takes away stress. You will need to do this for at least two months before you will see success. If this does not work, then your vet can do some medication trials to see whether she will stop the overgrooming.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 16th, 2018
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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