I'll soon see if swapping out the traditional litter for the shredded paper variety helps Arthur.

[Siwsan]

I can't believe I found it. When I was at the locally owned pet supply place, last week, there was none. They also have a crushed walnut variety.

I'll finish after I see that they are actually using it. I know felines aren't fond of change.

Meanwhile, as long as I keep him from licking, he seems to be pretty much back to normal. Sometimes there's a little redness but that might be due to him using the litter box. I'm doing a WHOLE lot of guessing.

[TexasTowelie]

1. I recommend Charmin Extra Soft Triple-Ply.

No expense be spared to provide for the comfort of King Arthur!

[Walleye]

2. Patches likes to lick his belly sometimes. It's not too bad at the moment

But sometimes he licks until it’s pink. I just started just brushing him with his favorite boar’s bristle brush when I see him doing it and he stops and forgets all about it. Just a compulsion with him I think. I hope it’s nothing worse

[Ocelot II]

3. I wonder if he just got in the habit of licking himself there

(obviously a concept we humans can't relate to, eww!) so even if it isn't itchy maybe he licks more than necessary for hygiene purposes, and that causes the irritation and inflammation. I once had a cat who licked a big patch of fur off his belly repeatedly. The vet explained that he (the cat, not the vet) started licking because of some irritation and then had got used to doing it. It did take several cortisone treatments and the Cone of Shame for him to finally stop.

[Siwsan]

4. I don't catch him licking a whole lot but then I'm not with him 24/7.

And when I do, I gently try to distract him.

I'm just going to try leaving him in it for today and see if things stay as they are. He doesn't really seem at all uncomfortable, like he was with the cone collar.

[Polly Hennessey]

5. The collar he is now wearing is suitable for a 🤴 King.