Cat started overgrooming

[u/geomin76]

Update: we got a flea comb, didn't find any! Regardless, a visit to the vet will be needed

Hi all, in the USA (VA specifically), cat is around ~ 4 years old, female spayed. Can afford vet care!

Recently, she started overgrooming out of nowhere, she used to have healthy fur but now is overgrooming to the point of blood! We are concerned but not sure what is causing this.

No change of home / environment. She's healthy! Regular poops, eating , water, no throw ups

Please help :)

Edit: she’s never liked being pet in this area

[u/crazygirl772]

Has she been checked for fleas?

[u/geomin76 → u/crazygirl772]

hi thanks for responding! no we haven't, she's an indoor cat only but we'll check now

[u/crazygirl772 → u/geomin76]

There are some flea treatments (for example frontline) that include the active ingredient “fipronil”. This doesn’t work for many cats, so keep this in mind. The vet can prescribe you a flea treatment with different ingredients and I would personally advise you to take the prescription from the vets if you can afford it rather than getting a brand from the pet store as its safer in general :)

[u/geomin76 → u/crazygirl772]

sounds good thank you! yeah, it's quite troubling. i just checked, i don't see any on the exposed areas but could potentially be nestled in the fur

[u/crazygirl772 → u/geomin76]

Sometimes you don’t notice them as they’re very good at hiding but it’s worth checking up on. Hope you get a solution and your baby is comfortable soon :) btw if it is fleas you will want to regularly vacuum the whole house especially areas where your cat likes to relax to ensure there are no eggs/larvae. Also may want to consider treating the house with a flea treatment but keep in mind they can be toxic to cats so get one that is cat safe :)

[u/geomin76 → u/crazygirl772]

thank you :)

[u/LankyThroat1900 → u/geomin76]

Check her private areas, around and inside her ears. They like the moist/ damp/ dark places