literally..:help:

She is about 11 years old. Is short haired with quite dense fur.

She has been pulling out her fur around her back legs for some weeks. She is now letting this grow back but she is now pulling out the fur under her tail, near her bottom.

She has also lost quite of weight as well recently.

I am going to take her to the vets but has anyone got any suggestions? We have de-wormed & de-flea'd them recently...

Some years ago,one of ours had a similar problem and it was due to her trying to clean herself and not quite bing supple enough to do it. I nded up combing her and cleaning her around there, and also put her on a diet.

However, I think a trip to the vet is a very good idea - it could be stress related - any changes in the housing arrangements or care arrangements lately? New cat in the area?

PS after reading Katkin's post - she also had a flea allergy and after sorting those little beggars out she was MUCH better - and still is!!

As JoeP says, older cats with joint problems often find it difficult to groom, particularly around the base of the tail and back, so it could be that. Also, some cats have allergies to fleas and often try to over-groom to relieve the pain - you would probably see signs if redness and inflammation if that is the case. Stress is another key contributor to fur licking and tugging. I would be tempted to get her checked over.

Thanks for these ideas. I thought about the flea issue already, which is why I de-flead them a few weeks ago. There is no sign of any redness- although the skin was a bit rough (as though it had been irritated and then healed over).

I wonder if it stress related- she did go off her food for a while but now seems to be eating again. The trouble is, she gets so stressed out at going to the vets, I don't want to upset her anymore, if you know what I mean.

Cats get very stressed if they are 'dirty' at the back end. I remember carefully using nail clippers to remove some mattd fur, and combing daily. Are there any dandruff style flakes around the areas she has a go at?

She has had a little bit of dandruff- but that seems to have cleared up. I think it was at the same time as the skin was irritated.

my cats does exactly this when she is stressed. is mainly when people are letting fireworks off. the fur just about grows back and they start all over again from september to the new year. makes me grrr!

My dads cat was losing fur round her back legs, we never actually saw her pull it out, but it was something to do witht he glands round her back end not emptying etc... Took a trip to the vets to sort....

Some info on over grooming

http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/Articles/cat_overgrooming.htm

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/overgrooming.html

http://www.cat-world.com.au/OvergroomingInCats.htm

Thanks for all of your comments.

We are going to the vets on Saturday morning. I just hope I have some skin left on my arms after I have got her in the cat box to take her!

If she has 'dandruff' flakes then I'd get her on a course of evening primrose oil dizzy chick, as well as taking her to the vets. You can get human capsules and split them to pour the oil over the food or get the veterinary version (called Viactutan) which is in a pump dispenser, which you just put one pump a day on her dinner.

There is lots of research that evening primrose oil helps the skin condition and helps reduce flakes, skin dryness and helps any fur regrowing to come in in looking good too. It is used routinely for cats with dry skin or dry coat conditions at the Shelter and the best part is that they don't even know that you're doing it because you just put it on their food and it doesn't have a flavour.

I hope you find the cause of her overgrooming and get her happy and healthy again soon.

my old cat started with this a few years ago and was prescribed Ovarid, as the vet said it was hormonal.

She was on Ovarid for a while and it stopped, she doesnt take any now and has been clear for 18months.

Hope you get kittry sorted.