My crazy cat pulls its hair out. Any ideas?

United States
February 27, 2007 9:29am CST
My black cat apparently has an aversion to his own hair, as he likes to spend a considerably amount of time pulling it out. A large patch on his back by his hind quarters is extremely thin and nearly bare, due to his strange behavior. We've had him checked out, and it isn't fleas or allergies. It is most likely some sort of neurotic behavior, but we can't figure out how to stop him from doing it. It has been going on for years. It doesn't really seem to bother him, and it wouldn't bother me if I didnt have to consistently pick up little patches of black cat hair from everything.
1 person likes this
4 responses
• United States
27 Feb 07
If I were you,I'd try to change vets.My brother's mother-in-law had the same problem with her cat,Corny.She took her to the vet and it wasn't fleas or allergies .Said it was probably a nervous disorder and gave her some pills.I don't remember the anme but it sure did the trick!
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Feb 07
I've found the easiest way to give pills is to hide it in a treat. My cats usually will just swallow it and never know the pill is in there. I use the soft treats and put it in the middle and roll it up into a little ball.
• United States
27 Feb 07
Unfortunately we are dealing with a cat who defines the very definition of finicky. He eats only fancy feat and his dry food, and will probably detect the pill in his fancy feast. But it's worth a try anyway, thanks again.
• United States
27 Feb 07
I'll have to look into that, although I dont exactly relish the idea of having to give my cat a pill every day.
• United States
27 Feb 07
It might be some sort of skin problem, has the vet ever tested him for skin diseases or thought he might have one? Since you say he doesn't have fleas or allergies it probably is that he has a neurotic behavior. Maybe ask the vet to prescribe some sort of tranquilizer or something that might calm him down. I know when one of my cats became stressed out over us moving into a new apartment my vet put her on elavil to calm her down. She was consistently running to urinate all day even though she didn't have to go and she was tested and everything was fine, she was just stressed. I believe something is bothering him and he's pulling his hair out as some sort of release. Maybe try just calling another vet and asking for their suggestion of how to stop this behavior, they may have some ideas.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Feb 07
Thanks for the input. We though it might also be stressed related, and looked for signs. But he seems to do it whether stressed or naturally relaxed. Unless he is just typically constantly stressed? He does seem to have a rather quirky personality, and can be pretty antisocial at times.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Feb 07
Your cat could be stressed all the time and only pull out his hair when it gets too much for him. Cats tend to hide a lot of things that bother them because of their instinct not to show weakness to other animals. The cat I was talking about being stressed when we move, when we first got her (she was originally one of my sister-in-laws cats and we took her and a few others when my sister-in-law passed away), the first year we had her she kept getting conjunctivitis. She was always kept as an indoor cat and when I asked the vet why she kept getting it, the vet told me she was stressed and this was how it was coming out. She was acting fine with us and didn't appear to be stressed but she was. This went on the whole first year we had her. I would think something is causing him to pull his hair out but I don't have any idea how you can find out what's causing it because a cat pulling out his hair is just not normal as far as I know. I would just check with another vet to see if he's causing himself any damage by doing this and if there's anything you might be able to do for him.
1 person likes this
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
2 Mar 07
Sounds almost like it's just a nervous habit. Like people who bite their fingernails. Perhaps you need to break him of the habit. Telling him no and trying to stop him every time you see it. It might be hard, like quitting smoking maybe, but I'm sure it can be done. Either that or be prepared for the theropist bill. A kitty shrink may be needed;)
• United States
2 Mar 07
ya but you have to tell that its bad to do like that they can listen ..............