Hi,

http://imgur.com/a/OJ4tS

I was hoping to get advice with my Bengal who seems to be having an issue with persistent grooming - to the point where she is creating wounds that scab.

Quick background - she is 3.5y.o, was just fixed, and had her rabies shot last month. She was a breeder cat who had two litters. She's been in a new environment for roughly 1.5 months, and has been fed the same dry food and using the same type of litter. The top most scab in the picture I included are from her chewing at where her shot was. I currently have a little sweater on her which is just enough to block another large scab on her front arm.

I was suggested by the previous owner to feed her raw hamburger meat instead of the wet food I have been feeding her daily since it is possible it could be a food allergy. Also suggested to shampoo her, and put betadine on her scabs. Was hoping to get some advice as to whether or not these all seemed like a good idea, or if any other suggestions could be made.

Thanks for your time

I assume the breeder and previous owner are the same person? If so, then yes, follow everything the breeder has advised, ref the food.
I would also seek vet advice, in addition, regarding a possible reaction to the rabies shot as that is her point of irritation - Definitely if the behaviour doesn't stop. It may need steroids, could even be a flea allergy which is unbelievably common!

It could be that she is struggling to adapt to being a pet, in a home environment, and needs some Feliway around the house to help calm her.

I hope you can get this sorted quickly, as it must be very distressing for the poor baby. XX

Hamburger meat really isn't appropriate food for cats, for a number of reasons. It's not nutritionally complete, plus cats tend to do much better with poultry than with beef or pork. Also I haven't heard of allergies causing cats to essentially drill holes in in their skin. It's usually more like mowing grass, where they create larger bald spots. So I don't think what you have is a food allergy (although, I could be wrong...).

My guess is that your cat is hurting either because of the operation or because perhaps the shot was mis-administered. I would definitely contact your vet, or perhaps find a different vet to check your kitty out. Poor kitty...

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The little monsters 3

First of all, stop feeding the raw hamburger meat. It is not good for cats. Raw chicken is a much better alternative when it comes to raw feeding. Turkey is good as well. However, organs and bones need to be included for a complete nutritional meal for a cat.

Now onto the over grooming. I'm guessing this is stress related. Going from an environment of having litters and raising kittens to a new environment with new people, new smells can truly stress out a cat to the point that they start a strange behavior. Since your baby has a relationship with a vet, I would call them and let them know what is going on. There could be skin irritations that are contributing. I'm guessing the over grooming is not happening in the area she was spayed. If it is in the area of the injection, know that my bengal also washes and washes that area after receiving the injection, but it lasts less than a day.

I would do whatever it takes to alleviate the stress for the cat. Bengals need a lot of attention. She has not been with you for very long and it can take weeks or months for an adult kitty to settle in to a new home. So, be patient and be diligent that she not be able to injure herself causing scabs.

Talk with your breeder and see if she has any recommendations since she knows the cat's personality better than anyone right now. Most of all, hang in there. Things will improve over time.