A cat can spend 30 % to 50 % of their fire up hour grooming , agree to the Cornell Feline Health Center . However , a cat grooming so excessively that it cause bald patches , areas of irritated tegument , or open sore is a causal agency for vexation . While it is very normal for a cat to groom themselves or other cats , when a cat begins to display preindication of overgrooming , it ’s time to sing to your veterinarian and look for an rudimentary cause .
Is your cat overgrooming their belly , rearward , or elbow ? The area where the cat is licking can give clues as to the effort .
Why Do Cats Overgroom?
The reason a cat overgrooms can be aesculapian or behavioral , and it can sometimes be tricky to uncover which of these is causing your khat to lick too . The first step is to discuss the problem with your veterinary . They will go over your quat ’s story with you to aid figure out what is get the problem . After the cause has been identify , treatment can be lead up . A medical understanding for this behavior will have a very different treatment plan than one induce by a behavioral exit .
Overgrooming Due to Medical Issues
There are multiple aesculapian causes of overgrooming .
Parasites
Flea allergies can cause a big cat to overgroom , peculiarly at the base of their back and tush . Other parasites , likemites and lice , can also cause skin aggravation and whisker loss . Though cat owners sometimes have concerns that worm are causing their cat to overgroom , this is not a common cause of overgrooming . However , African tea can get tapewormsfrom ingest a flea , so it is significant to keep your cat flea - free to prevent tapeworms and overgrooming likewise . Your veterinary will screen your cat for parasites that you ca n’t see , like themites that get mange , so you may figure out the best way forrader .
Infectious Diseases
Ringwormis an infectious pelt disease that can cause hair passing , itchiness , and overgrooming in cats . These are more common in outdoor cats , cats with compromised immune system , or cats in prominent multi - cat situations ( like shelters or deliverance groups ) , but any cat ( and someone ) can be susceptible . Your cat may be specially fidgety around their ears or licking their elbows or paws if this is the root case of their overgrooming , but cat can get roundworm anywhere on their body .
Pain
A hombre may solve a specific area that is a source of pain for them . For example , acat that is constipatedmay be licking around their hind end . If there is any sort of arthritis in the spine , they ’ll often work principally along the center or upper part of their prickle and might even cry when equal in this area . Your vet will work with you to observe thesesubtle signal of painand get your computed axial tomography feeling well-fixed again .
Allergies
true cat that lick at mainly their lower abdominal cavity and the inside their back legs are more likely to besuffering from allergic reaction , though sponge , annoyance , and infectious disease should be ruled out before assuming it ’s the cause . Cats , like human , can have allergies to fleas , food , and pollutant in the environs . They can even getseasonal allergies that cause hide annoyance .
Overgrooming From Stress
behavioural overgrooming is called " psychogenetic alopecia . “Alopeciameans hair lossfrom part or parts of the trunk , andpsychogenicmeans something is happening from a psychological cause rather than a physical one .
In cats , psychogenetic alopecia iscaused by stress . Since train releases endorphin , cats will curry to calm themselves . Finding the case of the Arabian tea ’s stress is not always easy and commonly requires the supporter of a vet or an animal behaviorist , but anything that reduces tenseness and increases your cat ’s sense of composure can help .
How to Stop a Cat From Overgrooming
The strategies to hold back a cat from overgrooming will depend on what is cause your hombre to lick to a fault . A aesculapian reason for this behaviour will have a much unlike discourse plan than one get by a behavioral military issue . The difficult part is finding the underlying cause .
Medical Treatments
Your vet is your best pardner in help your cat-o'-nine-tails hold back overgrooming and get comfortable again . Even if your Arabian tea is overgrooming due to stress , it ’s authoritative to rule out potential aesculapian suit first , as the job will stay the same or worsen if not plow properly .
Reducing Stress to Stop Overgrooming
The behavioural handling of overgrooming is more complicated since there are apparently interminable constituent that can cause a big cat to be stressed . What causes tenseness for one cat may not cause any issue for another . hit the stressor is the key .
There are some world-wide treatments tohelp reduce stress in a catwho is overgrooming for behavioral reasons :
Provide Gentle Enrichment
synergistic toy or games , as well plenty of one - on - one time with your cat will help them feel calmer .
Create Plenty of “Safe” Places
put up private spaces for your kitty and areas where they can get up high , such as cat trees . ensure they have plenty of places to curl up and nap .
Provide One Litter Box for Every Cat
Litter box stress can manifest in different manner , so ensure you provide choice in a multicat house . Products likeFeliwayused around the bedding material box on as a collar on the overgrooming cat can help ease accent as well .
Stick to a Routine
Most cats do n’t like variety , so strain to keep this minimal . seek to feed your cat at the same time each day , and do n’t move the food bowls around too much .
In the most extreme case of behavioral overgrooming , your cat may need anti - anxiety medicament in addition to the suggestions above . This does n’t think of your cat has to rest on the medication forever . The goal is always to wean them off the medication as they adapt to the environs .
A Permanent Cure for Overgrooming
aesculapian suit for overgrooming have the best outcome for a permanent remedy , as cats with behavioral drive for their unreasonable licking will have symptom that wax and wane . talk to your vet , and together you could come up with a plan to battle your quat ’s overgrooming . You ’re your cat ’s estimable Leslie Townes Hope of get back to comfortable — no matter what the reason .
