This is driving me crazy. My boy got into a car accident last year and had to spent almost 3 months in a crate. He had to have one of his hind legs amputated as well. He has healed great and seems happy overall, except for the fact that he over grooms like crazy. What I've noticed is he obsessively starts licking:
1) when he wants attention and I don't acknowledge him (I realized this one only recently, where I deliberately ignored him to see what he'd do)
2) when he's sleeping he'll sometimes wake up and starts licking or chewing for a bit as if he has an itch (itchy because of the over grooming?)
3) sometimes when I get home from work. I'll give them some attention and usually he starts licking again.
The licking and chewing started 2 months after release from crate jail. He only licks his hind leg, lower belly area and both front legs about halfway on the inside. He let me touch and pet him everywhere, so my guess is he's not in pain. I have changed their food to a different protein source, thinking it was allergies, but that didn't matter.
So I'm thinking it might just be due to boredom. He used to go out a lot and is strictly indoors now. I have no possibilities to let him safely outside. I tried walks as a kitten, but he hated it. Thinking about it, the biggest change after losing the leg is his outdoor time that's gone.
Writing this I might be answering my own questions already, in that case some confirmation and tips would be greatly appreciated. He has a big orange buddy and they play multiple times a day. It doesn't seem to fulfill his needs though. Playtime is a nightmare. I have lots of different toys and wands, which he likes for the first 2 days or so. After that all interest is gone. He does ask for playtime (or outside time) though, yet when I take out the toys he just walks to the door wanting to go outside. He is 2.5 now, so should still be plenty playful I imagine.
Like I said, I might be answering my own questions. Unfortunately my vet isn't very helpful with this problem.
1) when he wants attention and I don't acknowledge him (I realized this one only recently, where I deliberately ignored him to see what he'd do)
2) when he's sleeping he'll sometimes wake up and starts licking or chewing for a bit as if he has an itch (itchy because of the over grooming?)
3) sometimes when I get home from work. I'll give them some attention and usually he starts licking again.
The licking and chewing started 2 months after release from crate jail. He only licks his hind leg, lower belly area and both front legs about halfway on the inside. He let me touch and pet him everywhere, so my guess is he's not in pain. I have changed their food to a different protein source, thinking it was allergies, but that didn't matter.
So I'm thinking it might just be due to boredom. He used to go out a lot and is strictly indoors now. I have no possibilities to let him safely outside. I tried walks as a kitten, but he hated it. Thinking about it, the biggest change after losing the leg is his outdoor time that's gone.
Writing this I might be answering my own questions already, in that case some confirmation and tips would be greatly appreciated. He has a big orange buddy and they play multiple times a day. It doesn't seem to fulfill his needs though. Playtime is a nightmare. I have lots of different toys and wands, which he likes for the first 2 days or so. After that all interest is gone. He does ask for playtime (or outside time) though, yet when I take out the toys he just walks to the door wanting to go outside. He is 2.5 now, so should still be plenty playful I imagine.
Like I said, I might be answering my own questions. Unfortunately my vet isn't very helpful with this problem.
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