My wife and daughter inexplicably shaved our cat’s belly when she was around a year old. 3 years later, the cat apparently thinks it’s supposed to stay shaved and she won’t let it grow back. Now her nipples are getting inflamed and I can’t get her to stop.
I think she’s going to need a cone?
I’m angry at my wife and daughter for doing that. I’ve told them how cruel it was many times.
I’m not a vet.
What do you mean by the cat thinks its supposed to stay shaved? What does she do to make you think she “thinks” that?
What does she do to her nipples that makes them inflamed?
I mean my girl cat suckles on herself, but that is just one (preferred) nipple and she doesn’t do it to the degree of it being inflamed. In any case a nipple (or the total area of nipples) is just a small part of the belly area.
In other words, please provide clarifications!
And pictures! 
The cat has been doing this for three years and never seen a vet for this?
And it’s only now a problem because her nipples are inflamed?
If you want advice from a vet, make an appointment. There could be something else wrong which is causing her to overgroom herself.
It sounds like overgrooming, which can be a sign of fleas, allergies, nutritional imbalance, or stress. I HIGHLY doubt it has anything to do with having her shaved (Is she longhaired?) and you need to get the cat to a vet pronto. Cats don’t think they are supposed to stay shaved. If that were the case every spayed cat out there would have this issue - they ALL get shaved for the surgery.
Stop blaming your wife and daughter. There is nothing inherently cruel about shaving an animal, and it can be a kindness and even a medical necessity if the fur is matted or too hot for the climate the animal is in.
Take her to a vet today.
This.
Despite all the issues You, your Wife, and your Daughter may have, there is no way a cat can stop hair growth on it’s entire belly.
If the cat has inflamed nipples, seek the advice of a Veterinarian.
Missed edit window:
If the nipples were injured years ago from improper grooming, it may just now be manifesting itself with mammary duct problems, causing her to focus her attention around the affected area.
A cat can lick so intensely as to create a bare belly.
Ignorance fought.
Thanks
Cats can remove the hair from more than their belly with overgrooming. I once had a cat. She was sweet, but a little shy. Then I got another cat. The first cat hated having another cat around. Within a month she had licked off all the fur below, say, her waist. No hair on her belly, her back, her sides, her back legs, or her tail.
The vet called it neurotic overgrooming. We found the second cat another home. He was outgoing and had no trouble making the adjustment.
Sorry to abandon the thread for so long, but I haven’t been on the board for a while.
Cat’s belly is a little better.
She’s starting to let it grow back a little, but the fur is still like 25%. Not patchy, just short.
Thanks everybody who responded
ETA: after rereading everything I have to say that we are always on top of any kind of fleas or anything like that. This kitty receives zero negativity. She sleeps 22 hours a day, not stressed. Not the issue.