Were there any other behaviors that indicated that the cats were stressed or anxious in the foster home? Peeing outside the box, hiding, fighting, guarding resources, clinging to you for affection, hypervigilance, etc. I would be asking the vet team to do a medical workup for sure. Especially since the steroid made a difference. This could indicate possible inflammation or allergy of some kind. You can keep an eye out for neurological symptoms as well. If there is an underlying medical reason then no amount of behavior work will solve it. Reducing stress will help, for sure, but the cause needs to be addressed. Also, if medical reasons are ruled out, but the cats are exhibiting chronic anxiety behaviors, there are medication options that can help get them through a stressful or extra-anxious time. Again, this would involve the vet team. Being specific about what behaviors you are seeing, how frequently, and using objective language can help a vet team as well. Observe and document. I also use Zylkene - an over-the-counter supplement - to help ease anxiety in cats, but always run this by your medical team first.
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Michelle Flowers
Foster Program Manager
Seattle Area Feline Rescue
UW-AAB
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2026 03:46 PM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: How do you deal with itchy, scratchy cat pulling out hair?
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
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