Hi Justin,

Why the steroid shot? Just curious. A vet gave our middle-aged, chubby
cat a steroid shot for possible food allergies, and it brought on
diabetes. Not to scare you (famous last words) but watch for weight-loss
or extra thirst in him. Maybe Jake is young and thin and not at risk!

I hope he's doing well.

Rhonda

Yes, that is what it was with me--just a strong intuitive feeling, based
upon
what you have told us about Jake and Elwood being introduced and doing
what so many boy cats seem to do!

The steroid shot should help with any inflammation that is causing
irritation.

Here is how I solved Cheeky's problem, and by the time I
got her to stop her entire side was bald.

I pinpointed what was different in the house. Here it is:
Buddha, my other cat had a fit related to her hyperthyroid
and a possible heart condition, so all of a sudden there was
the upheaval of getting her into the carrier (she is a drama
queen and a little thug!) and in for tests and ultrasound
and such. Then Buddha began sticking to me like glue!
It was the weirdest thing, you would think she would have
been like "sh.t man, I'm staying away from her she keeps
loading me up and taking me to the vet!" but no.

Instead of hanging out on the first floor, with occasional
forays into the second for food and extra play she began
to come to the third floor which has always been Cheeky's
turf--where her box is, her food is, where she hangs out,
and where she sleeps with us. (Buddha has her own
bed she has always liked to sleep in, on the first floor.)
Not only did Buddha get up on our bed but she began
hanging out in the guest room where Cheeks loves to
sleep during the day.

Since Cheeks is a very polite little girly cat, she just
took it all in and groomed like mad until she was
bald! Anyway, here is what I did. I encouraged
Cheeks to hang out with Buddha (I did not have the
heart to chase Boo away.) and I spent more time
downstairs with Buddha. Also, when Boo was on her
way upstairs, I said to Cheeks in that "get 'em"
voice that they all respond to, "Get that cat! Get
her, Cheeky!"

This seems to tell Cheeks that it was okay to
defend her turf. So she began, about half the time,
standing her ground and kind of rushing at Buddha
when she came upstairs. No growling, no hissing,
no swatting. These are girly cats! ;) They do a lot
of staring and walking away to think it over!

Eventually Buddha stopped coming up, and we now
make sure to play with them together several times
a night on the second floor, with the lazer pointer.
It took over a month for Cheeky's fur to grow in.
Good luck with Jake! He is a cutie.

Consider getting a Feliway diffuser to help with stress issues.