There are several psychological or physical factors that can cause cats to groom excessively. Here, our veterinarians in Dallas explain why your cat may be overgrooming and what can be done to stop it.
Cats Who Begin Excessively Grooming
When cats spend an unusually significant amount of time grooming themselves, we call this overgrooming. The habit can cause health issues like fur loss and skin sores, leading to various skin infections and conditions.
A cat's brain releases natural neurotransmitters (endorphins) when they lick themselves. These endorphins induce feelings of comfort when your cat grooms themselves. Therefore, if your kitty is dressed, they may instinctively try to comfort themselves by grooming.
Many cat owners say they don't think their cat is grooming excessively, but this may be because they feel comfortable in the owner's presence and don't need to groom obsessively while in their company. However, when the owner leaves the room, the cat may start grooming again.
If you catch your feline friend overgrooming, don't punish them. This will only make your cat feel more stressed and could make the issue worse.
Causes of Overgrooming in Cats
Cats may overgroom for both psychological and medical reasons. When psychological issues such as stress and anxiety cause a cat to overgroom, this is called psychogenic alopecia.
Stress is the most common cause of overgrooming in cats. Various stressors, like permanent changes in your cat's routine and environment, can result in psychogenic alopecia. Examples of stressors that may be triggering your cat's excessive grooming include:
- Their owner being gone for longer hours
- Rearrangement of furniture
- Kitty litter being moved
- A family member is moving away
- Being in a chaotic household
- A death in the family
- A new animal in the home
- Moving to a new home
Medical factors that can cause your kitty to overgroom include:
- A wound on their skin
- Itchy skin
- Ringworm
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Hyperthyroidism
- Allergies
Consider any changes you have made to your cat's environment or food to determine why they might be overgrooming. If you suspect the increase in grooming may be due to an allergy, contact your veterinarian, who can test your cat for any allergies and definitively diagnose any allergic reactions. Your vet may also refer you to a veterinary dermatologist for further diagnosis and testing.
Signs of Cat Overgrooming
If your cat is excessively grooming, you will notice a stripe or line that resembles a buzzcut on their body. However, when a cat is overgrooming, marks are often found at the base of their tail, belly, foreleg, and inner thigh. If your cat's overgrooming habit is serious, they may have scabs, or otherwise damaged skin.
How to Stop Your Cat From Overgrooming
If you notice your cat overgrooming, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your vet so they can rule out any underlying medical conditions.
At your cat's appointment, your vet will likely perform a complete physical examination to look for any obvious health issues, such as injuries, parasitic infections, or symptoms of internal conditions, including hyperthyroidism. The vet can also perform a skin biopsy or other laboratory tests that may be required and then prescribe treatment for your cat's specific condition.
While you wait for your appointment, try to figure out if anything could make your cat anxious and eliminate the stressor. If you find the stressor, remove it from your cat's environment, and your kitty's excessive grooming may gradually disappear. Your veterinarian can offer tips on eliminating the source of your cat's stress.
When a medical diagnosis can't be made, your vet might prescribe anti-anxiety drug therapy to help stop your cat's excessive licking. Your kitty will most likely need to be on this medication long enough to help them manage their stress. If your vet prescribes these medications, you must follow their instructions carefully. You will also need time and patience to see this treatment take effect.
You should also know that the treatments for psychogenic alopecia aren't always permanent. Your cat's overgrooming habits could resurface anytime, indicating your kitty is stressed again.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.