Help with my cat's new habit....?

Your cat seems to be going out of his mind with boredom or loneliness, so yes, another cat seems like a good idea. But don't just bring another cat in and plunk it down. Anitra Frasier in her New Natural Cat has a chapter on introducing a new cat into your home, and you may want to read that chapter and then take what you need from it when you bring the new cat home, to avoid hissing, spitting and/or fighting. For an established male with a sweet personality, a non-dominant female kitten six or so months old (not a wee kitty, which is a lot of work) might be a good choice.

There is also a wonderful toy you might consider, one that won't wind up under the bed. It is called a Cat Dancer, a long piece of wire that attaches to the wall, with a cardboardish doohickey on the end that "dances" when the wire moves. Cats do leaps and wheelies trying to catch the doohickey. It costs about $7 - $8, and is an elegantly simple item.

Another toy that won't wind up under the bed is the Turbo Cat which costs about $12. It is a disk about 15" in diameter with a track on the circumference, and a white ball that fits in and rolls around the track. The center of the disk has some of that cardboard scratching post stuff, and there is a little packet of catnip that comes with the toy. You rub a little of the catnip into the cardboard scratching post stuff, the cat gets on the toy to rub against the catnip and scratch with delight. That's when you give the ball a tap, and the ecstatic cat discovers a mouse-like object that goes round and round and he can't catch but can bat around. I have never seen a cat that didn't love this toy. I always get mine at K-Mart, but they are available everywhere, as is the Cat Dancer (be sure with this one to get the model that attaches to the wall. There is a hand-held version, but it won't amuse your cat when you are not home.)

Also, when you are not home, you might want to leave the radio on or alternatively, leave the tv on the Animal Planet. Some cats love to watch tv.

Another "toy" is a little fish tank, but keep the top covered. In a way a fish tank is a kitty tv.

I disagree with the vet who wrote and suggested behavior modification. It sounds like you are not home enough for this to really be effective. Your cat is becoming neurotic in response to an important emotional/social need not being met. Some cats don't mind being alone during the day; other cats, like other people, really suffer during the hours alone. I really do think he needs companionship and stimulation, that he is bored and lonely.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

It is an allergy, read bellow.

Flea bite allergy is characterized by being a seasonal allergy that is worse during peak flea times in the summer and fall. Even in temperate areas or in cases with home infestations, the symptoms of flea bite allergies appear to worsen in the summer and fall. Cats that have flea allergies will bite at the base of their tail and scratch frequently. The bite of a single flea can cause hours and days of intense itching. Many cats have a characteristic loss or thinning of hair above the base of the tail. In addition, fleas or flea dirt (feces) can be found on the cat the majority of the time. The feces, or flea dirt will dissolve into a red color when moistened; this is because it is primarily digested blood. However, if the cat is bathed or treated regularly, very little evidence of fleas may be found. Severely affected cats may itch over their entire bodies, have generalized hair loss, and red inflamed skin. Hot spots are often a result of flea bite allergies.

tail chasing is usually a symptom of boredom or developing personality problems.

he needs plenty of his own toys, a scratching pole, and a bit of mental stimulation.

animals stuck in a house or yard all day without any stimulation tend to go a bit crazy.

dont allow him to do it.. when he starts, stop him and distract him with a toy. he will learn to focus his energy elsewhere.

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I think it's normal for him ... I know a girl witch had a cat and bite his tail and now he has a very short tail ... sorry for him ... :( Anyway ... maybe he's just playing ... try to buy him a very interesting toy ... ;)

sorry can't get past ur pic. your cat has gorgeous eyes. they are kinda boobly but real nice

he possibly has autism or diabetes