Why is my cat licking bald spots on his back and biting when touched?

Question

My cat, Max is about 4 years old. I have noticed bald spots on his back near his tail. I will also notice him licking and bitting the bald spots. He has licked it raw and to the point that if I touch it he will turn around and bite me. This happened last year and it concerns me. Last year we had to put a pillow collar on so he could not turn around and lick it. We also tried hot-spot spray but it did not work. Please tell me what to do. I'm worried it might be serious. Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Male

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. Max may have allergies or may be developing a situation called hyperesthesia syndrome. I would definitely put the collar back on & then talk to your vet about seeing why this is happening. If it is allergies, your vet may recommend trying a long acting steroid to see if this brings him any relief. You may also want to try him on a sensitive skin/sensitive stomach diet like one made by Hill's. If your vet thinks this may be some type of food allergy, using a hydrolyzed protein diet is better than using some of the limited ingredient ones. Hopefully, Max will get some relief soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Why is my cat licking bald spots on his back and biting when touched?

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