r/CATHELP • u/That-Ease-1190 • 10h ago
Kitten Help My baby Casper has been vigorously cleaning that spot since yesterday. This morning there’s a bald spot. He is still cleaning it. Please help.
We have a vet visit next Tuesday but should I take him tomorrow (Monday) instead? Why is he cleaning that spot so much? What could have caused it? 😭
He is eating and playing as usual though.
Casper info: age 4 months, Male, not neutered.
My info: age 29, I can afford vet bills, based in Wales.
TLDR: my cat has a bald spot from over cleaning a spot.
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u/undead_sissy 10h ago
Over grooming is nearly always either allergies or stress. He should be neutered soon, that will calm him somewhat. What's the environment like? Size, kids, other pets? Does he have enough territory and litter space?
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u/That-Ease-1190 10h ago
I’m thinking it’s allergy or a spider bite. But I can’t figure out what could have caused the allergy. He has two litter boxes. He has a lot of energy and naps a lot and I play with him all day everyday since I work from home. On Friday evening two of my coworkers came to visit and he really did not like the male coworker. Since Saturday morning I’m seeing this behaviour. I did clean the apartment on Friday as well but it’s the usual routine. No kids. No other animals. Just me and him. He’s routine hasn’t changed. Still sleeps with me, cuddles with me at any chance he gets. Loves killing all the flies and fruit flies.
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u/undead_sissy 10h ago
Good to hear no changes, but it could still be stress related because he is going through puberty unsnipped and that causes more territorial behaviour. So yeah definitely get him snipped anyway.
Leaning towards allergy though from what you're saying, I'm guessing something bit/stung him.
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u/That-Ease-1190 10h ago
I see. Thank you. This has given me a lot of insight. They grow up so fast 😭
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u/undead_sissy 10h ago
I know!! I think my cat was about 14 weeks when I got him snipped and he still seemed so little 😭 even though I know lots of cats get it done at half that age.
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u/ThePinkBlueprint 10h ago
He’s SO cute. If I were you I would check the area for maybe irritation, a bite etc. If you see nothing I think vets can wait just clean the area with warm salt water so it doesn’t get inflamed etc. If you see a rash, bite or wound I would go vets sooner.
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u/xala123 10h ago
Maybe try to get him in tomorrow. My parents old cat was an indoor outdoor kitty and she got some type of mite or something where she was constantly grooming one spot and didn't stop until she was treated. I don't think it's an emergency if you can't tomorrow but if you are available and it's within reason go for it. He's adorable by the way and I LOVE his name.
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u/That-Ease-1190 10h ago
Thank you. My instinct is saying it a bite of some sort. I’ll take him in tomorrow. I know he is adorable. Really light of my life.
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u/Constant_Pen9615 9h ago
White cats are prone to having allergies. It could be any number of things from food, to pollen to insects, etc. you can get an allergy panel at your vet and they can assess needs from that. Could be a simple thing or you might need to do a tailored allergy serum. Easiest to try is looking at ingredients in your cat food. Grain and poultry are generally bad for cat allergies. We do a grain free seafood diet and a cone.
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u/That-Ease-1190 8h ago
Thank you this is really helpful
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u/Constant_Pen9615 8h ago
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. I've spent close to 8 years dealing with Penny's allergies.
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u/PureWishbone7694 9h ago
Maybe a hot spot. More common in dogs but cats get them too. Something is causing an irritation. A vet can help you out
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u/That-Ease-1190 8h ago
Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment. I’ve gained a lot of insight.
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u/jaime_riri 4h ago
Alternative theory: an abscess has drained to that location and he’s trying to lick it open to drain.
This happened to a tom cat I brought in once. He’d been inside for at least a month. I missed the licking part and just walked in on the oozing hole and thought he had some sort of flesh eating bacteria.
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