Cat licking fur off tummy and inner back legs

Question
Hi
Would be grateful if you could help.  My cat has been licking her fur which has probably taken place over a two week period between my grooming her.  She has been to the vet and there are no skin problems i.e. fungal infections etc they did a "strip/patch test); she had never had fleas; I have three cats and two dogs and the newest to join the group joined us 12 months ago; to my knowledge there is nothing new in terms of cleaning products or diet that I have used around the house. The vet has currently given me cortisone/antihistamine tablets for the next 6 days to see if they will help identify whether it is an allergy.  And the options suggested are that it could either be an allergy or an anxiety/stress issue. She has been on the tablets for two days now and it seems she may be still furiously licking fur off as there is more gone off the other back leg now.  Nothing is affecting the other cats or dogs at this time in any way similar or otherwise.  

Please could you help me with what possible options could cause this if not already mentioned above and what alternative remedies if any including natural therapies, you might be able to suggest. Are there any other things I could do to help her (my cat)

Thank you
Syd

Answer
Hi Syd.  I would agree with the vet that this is probably caused by anxiety or an allergic condition.  The pattern of hair loss seems to fit a behavioral problem very well.  Many times, allergic hair loss will be worst on the head, neck and back areas.  But both are still good possibilities.

To address the problem in case it's behavioral, I recommend to use a product called Feliway.  This is a synthetic facial pheromone, a hormone which cats release through their cheeks.  It helps them to feel calm and relaxed.  I use plug-in Feliway diffusers in my own home to reduce stress at all times.  You can learn more about how the product works at www.feliway.com.  It's available online and in pet stores in most places.

Also, you may want to try some flower essences with her.  The company I prefer is a U.S.-based one, but they ship to all countries.  I like these essences because they were formulated by a holistic vet.  See www.spiritessences.com.  Your kitty may benefit from the Obsession Remedy.  There might be other formulas that would be helpful in addition, so you should feel free to contact the creators of the essences.  Dr. Hofve has always gotten back to me quickly and courteously.

As for allergy treatments, the most effective route is, of course, to avoid exposure to the allergen.  Aside from flea allergies, food allergies are the most common type.  And it might be a wise investment to have an allergy pannel run on her to see which food ingredients she could be allergic to.  Or, you can ask the vet for a low-allergen prescription food, or a food with alternative sources of meat and vegetable matter that she has not tried yet.

In case it's environmental allergies, you can try a product called Stimmune by NHV, if you can find it.  It's a combination of several natural ingredients known to reduce allergic response and calm inflammation.  Additionally, supplementing your kitty's diet with omega-3 fatty acids can help limit the body's allergic response.  A good choice is Dermaquin by Nutramax.  This is just fish oil.  You can feed your cat any mercury-free fish oil, but most of those pills made for humans contain at least 4X the daily amount that is optimal for a cat.

Best of luck to you!

Jessica