Winter months, dry heat.. Constant licking?!

[drunkmike]

Is this normal in the winter months for a longhaired cat? I should not say its not "constant" licking, but its definately alot more then it was during the warm months. It has also caused a bit more hairballs (I recently changed to science diet indoor food that is supposed to help alot with hairballs) from a vet recommendation. I try to keep up with as much brushing as possible, but it never seems to be enough.. It has cutdown on the hairball throwup fits though so it seems to be doing something!

It's not like he is licking one area in particular, its all over and I have noticed alot more fur on the carpet in his favorite spots to sleep. Is this all normal for them to shed like crazy in the winter months? I don't remember this too much from last year as I had a worthless roomate and Baxter never saw alot of "run of the house" time. Traci?

[Traci]

By licking, do you mean grooming, and does he appear comfortable? Or does he appear restless, uncomfortable, nervous?

I was just about to ask you how Baxter is doing. How have things resolved with the mouth, the recovery from the rabies injection, etc?

[drunkmike]

He is grooming sorry

Yes he is back to normal.. Every once in a while he will go for a crazy spaz run through the house but its just all of his pent up energy like any normal cat.

[drunkmike]

Although I do have to mention that every once in a while he will run like a crazy man through the house a few times then come to a very immediate stop, groom himself very fast and then off for another run and there is usually a few crazy meows included in that.. I don't think I would consider it nervous but its definately odd.. I'm not sure if its the pup that might be rowling him up or just a goofball Baxter thing!

Usually a simple "calm down!" will bring him down and he will jump up and relax on me.. I'm guessing its just him trying to get the puppy rowled up enough to play..

Dunno.. Normal kitty play?

[Traci]

Yes, dry air in the home in the winter months can cause excessive shedding. As long as he's otherwise healthy, it's normal for some cats.

Yeah, that sounds like he's just playing, my cats do that, as if there's a poltergeist chasing them, something only they can see!

[drunkmike]

Yes that is definately what it is like! My gf and I always joke that there is a ghost chasing him around! LOL He will be sitting dead still one moment then will go into a crazy run bouncing off of the walls screaming to high heaven then will come to a stop.. Lick himself a few times then take off running again.. I always find it funny how big his eyes are after he stops for his "grooming" session and looks around.. They look like they are about to bulge out of his little head!

The only unhealthy thing about him is his tooth and his mouth is still a bit red on the top.. Doc says that as soon as his teeth / gingivitus is all cleaned up it will also clean up the roof of his mouth..

Hopefully everything will clean up good soon!