Question:
I have a female cat that will soon be 16-years-old. I feed her Authority cat food for sensitive skin, and she uses clumping cat litter and doesn't go outside. She is constantly grooming, licking and scratching. Is this a sign of something wrong with her environment, food or health? Since she is grooming all the time, she is also throwing up fur balls. She has licked her tail so much it is bare up close to her rear. The Authority cat food is made up of turkey and oatmeal. I used to feed her Purina ONE, and one time I used that new one with vegetables mixed in. It seems she started the grooming after the new food. The vet thought she was probably allergic to something in the food. So I changed her to Authority, but she is still grooming all the time. She does have some allergies because, every once in a while, her eyes start running. I would appreciate any advice you may have.
M.S., Irving, TX Sep 13, 2010
Answer:
Judging from your cat's age and the fact that because most cats are exposed to chemicals in their environments, food and water that can damage their thyroid glands, your veterinarian should check your cat for hyperthyroidism. Common signs are increased grooming, often to the point of self-mutilation, increased irritability and aggressiveness, and increased appetite and weight loss. Considering her age, I would advise no more vaccinations, which could further impair her immune system. Visit FelineNutritionEducationSociety.org for advice on transitioning her onto a more natural, biologically appropriate diet. She may well be allergic to certain ingredients in her diet, such as corn, soy and fish. Some cats have shown to be allergic to synthetic fragrances found in the litter or elsewhere in your home, including laundry detergents. Cats are very chemical sensitive, and simply treating them with steroids or antihistamines without doing some in-home detective work to identify possible allergens is not the best solution.
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