The vet believes it is stress related which always seems an easy answer as far as Blackie is concerned. However, there is a young cat who has been venturing into our garden over the past weeks. He doesn't seem to threaten Blackie - yet anyway - just looks to see if Blackie is going to attack and when he senses he isn't, just carries on smelling different plants in the garden. Blackie sits and watches him, might spray urine over a bush (presumably to let the intruder know the garden is his territory). A couple of times he has run back into the garden room leaving his territory undefended until I chase the youngster away.
Knowing Blackie as the vet does, she thinks the intruder is stressing Blackie out and causing his licking/scratching. I've suggested to the vet that we block up the hole through which this cat comes - but as Blackie also uses this hole and has done all his life, the vet didn't think this was a good idea.
I am out of ideas to help Blackie other than chasing the cat away to let it know its not welcome - shame really, its a friendly, sweet looking little cat. For a while I thought Blackie had found a friend ... until I remembered Blackie doesn't have cat friends
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)