bare belly!

[span]

Possibly being an over-cautious cat mother, but my (10-year-old, fluffy Norwegian Forest-looking thing) cat has recently developed a bit of a bare belly. He's got patches where he seems to have mostly lost the fur in a little patch on the upper insides of his hind legs, and also on his lower tummy. It's just been in the last two months.

I feel like this is probably quite an unimportant thing, but then a couple of friends have suggested it could be a symptom of something worse. One's suggested a sore tummy on the inside might be making him lick his tummy more. He's washing a lot, but then cats always do! He seems fine in other ways - eating, playing, sleeping and fussing just as much as usual.

I know I can always take him to the vet to find out, but like lots of animals, he gets totally freaked out by the vet which in its own way is bad for him. And I'm aware I can be guilty of over-worrying. Has anyone had experience of this?

Many thanks in advance!

[bexVN]

Common area for over grooming due to fleas or stress!

If absolutely certain not fleas then consider stress. Any changes at home? Any new cats in the area?

Medical check advised to rule out pain, other probs if given all clear then work on the above

[span]

bexVN said:

Common area for over grooming due to fleas or stress!

If absolutely certain not fleas then consider stress. Any changes at home? Any new cats in the area?

Medical check advised to rule out pain, other probs if given all clear then work on the above

Ooooo okay, that's interesting, thanks. I deflea-ed him just before the weekend so perhaps it was that. I wouldn't have thought he was stressed - he looks the epitome of relaxed to me, and nothing's changed at home. So I'll see if the deflea-ing does the trick and if not will consider sending him on a spa weekend.

Thanks ever so much for your help - I'll hopefully be able to sort him out now without a trip to the vet.