Odd Cat Behavior

Question
I have 5 cats who all get along well and have done so for over a decade.  My torty has gotten a little crazy as of late.  She eats, drinks, goes to the litter box just fine, and I've taken her to the vet and all seems to be in order with her - except she runs everywhere she goes, and hides.  She also started scratching herself a year ago.  I've tried various diets for her per the vet, had her wear the e-collar and rubber nail covers (she rips those off minutes after they get put on).  If I make her go out on the deck in the sun and she doesn't feel the need to hide,so that has been one solution - but indoors she gets nutty.  She continues the scratching until she is scabbed nd bloodied.  
The only thing I thought it might be is her buddy of the past 10 years has rebuffed her.  They used to sleep together and the torty loved it, but my black cat is a loner and wants people attn only.  My black cat is fine...just the torty is out of control.

Answer
Hello Vanessa,

First of all, get a second opinion from another vet, to be absolutely sure there is nothing physical, such as a skin condition or flea allergy, that is causing the scratching.  Once you are sure that you have ruled out anything medical, you can safely put the scratching down to a nervous problem.  

It's hard to say whether it's connected to your two cats falling out - cats can start to become nervous for all sorts of reasons you may not even know about - for example she could have been upset by another cat that has ventured into your garden or had a fight with one of your other cats.  If nerves are the problem, you need to tackle the stress first and not the actual scratching, as this is just a symptom of how she's feeling and claw covers won't be much help.  Try buying a Feliway diffuser, which is available via your vet and from online pet pharmacies, which contains synthetic phermemones that mimic the cat's own scent and make them feel safer and calmer.  It is also available in a spray form that you can use when handling her, and spray in places such as her bed and other favourite sleeping areas, to try and calm her down.  Also provide her with somewhere private to sleep so that she has a sanctuary where she can escape and feel safe - preferably somewhere high such as a new shelf above the stairs, as cats feel safer at height.

If none of this makes a difference, please pursue your vet for further testing, as this behaviour is not normal and ultimately your cat could become very poorly if she keeps scratching at herself.

Best of luck with this and I hope she's on the mend soon.
Take care
Annie