This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
I just recently had two foster cats in my home. Both cats were scratching until they created sores. They both also were either licking or pulling out their hair on a regular basis. The diagnosis at the shelter was that the cats were exhibiting signs of stress.
Cat 1 was treated with the use of the pheromone diffuser, a calming collar, and with a calming supplement for her food. After a month with no improvement, she was returned for an alternate foster placement, thinking that she needed to be in a single cat placement foster. Her hair pulling and scratching have not changed in the second foster home.
Cat 2 was treated with a diffuser, and a steroid shot. She stopped scratching for about a week and a half after the steroid shot, but increased her hair licking and pulling. She was also returned to the shelter in the hopes that she would find a better foster placement/adoption.
Does anyone have other suggestions about how to reduce the hair pulling and scratching?
The assumption was that the cats were stressed by the presence of my three personal cats and that was another reason for finding them a different placement.
Food allergies were not discussed or offered as an option; however, an attempt was made to rule out specific protein, but was not successful as the support and time to do so was not really available.
Gina
Volunteer and Foster
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment#FosterPrograms-------------------------------------------