Cats like to groom and preserve themselves clear; wanting pristine is of the utmost significance to felines however, ‘Why is my cat overgrooming?’ you ask. And, ‘When is an excessive amount of an excessive amount of?’
I’m a complicated surgical veterinary nurse. I’ve additionally written veterinary academia, pet care books and have articles since 1999. All through my profession in veterinary observe and within the pet care industries, overgrooming in cats is one thing I noticed loads. It’s comprehensible to be involved, notably if you’re noticing hair loss in your kitty as effectively, however fear no extra. Be a part of me as we taxi via when and why regular grooming turns into overgrooming, the issues overgrooming causes, and how one can assist your cat.
Earlier than we leap proper into it, take a second to think about your cat’s weight loss plan. A whole and good-quality feline weight loss plan is important in serving to deal with most points, that is particularly so in sustaining your cat’s hair and pores and skin in high situation. When you have a younger kitten, do try the finest kitten meals for them or in case your cat is all grown up, browse the finest cat meals to your grownup kitty.
What does cat overgrooming appear to be It’s regular for a cat to groom recurrently; this can be a each day wholesome behavior they partake in. It’s effectively documented, because the Cornell Feline Well being Centre reviews, that cats will spend 30% to 50% of their day grooming and that is classed as a traditional period of time spent on this important exercise. Cats groom themselves usually by licking their fur, nibbling, and rubbing their entrance paws over their heads and entrance quarters.
Overgrooming, nonetheless, happens when your cat spends an irregular period of time and a focus on grooming. At first, this may increasingly seem acceptable and may go unnoticed, nevertheless it quickly results in hair thinning, hair loss, and pores and skin sores (pores and skin lesions). Bald or thinning patches on account of overgrooming really feel tough and spiky to the contact, because the hair shaft has been damaged off mid-way by the grooming.
(Picture credit score: VICUSCHKA/Getty Photographs) That is in distinction to the smooth-feeling bald patches you’ll discover in alopecia not associated to overgrooming. You could discover these roughened bald strips alongside the insides of their legs, beneath the stomach, or on their again.
Cats may also chew or chunk their tails – any such overgrooming could cause smooth tissue harm or mutilation, based on the Journal of Feline Medication and Surgical procedure .
Extreme licking, nibbling, biting, chewing, and scratching are all problematic indicators that your kitty is overgrooming and requiring your intervention. Other than secondary hair loss and pores and skin points, overgrooming may trigger the elevated incidence of hairballs in cats on account of all the additional hair they’re swallowing.
Why is my cat all of a sudden obsessively grooming? At round 5 weeks previous , a kitten will start to begin grooming themselves, a pure conduct that continues for all times. Cats self-groom not solely as a result of it produces endorphins (the feel-good neurotransmitters) however as a result of it helps to manage their physique temperature, and assists within the elimination of parasites, infections, and allergic reactions (thereby additionally aiding the prevention of traumatic pores and skin situations like dermatitis ).
It additionally stimulates their circulation and distributes pores and skin oils too. Like all the pieces in life although, an excessive amount of causes harm and in case your kitty is all of a sudden overgrooming, the next causes might be the explanation. A visit to your vet is suggested as quickly as you see any overgrooming habits.
1. Stress (behavioral)
Extreme grooming is often attributable to stress and this can be a quite common explanation for hair loss in cats. When a cat has develop into harassed, anxious, fearful, or fearful, they could groom themselves to really feel higher and safer because it releases completely satisfied endorphins.
Stress, concern, or anxiousness in cats can happen for a lot of causes from a brand new pet of their house, outdoors roadworks, a brand new meals to boredom, or a home transfer.
(Picture credit score: Katrin Scharl/Getty Photographs) 2. Allergy symptoms and pores and skin infections
Allergy symptoms could also be environmental, parasitic (flea allergic dermatitis FAD for instance), seasonal, or food-related. Frequent allergic reactions in cats continuously react on the pores and skin making it itchy, uncomfortable, and worsening. When pores and skin is disrupted on account of an allergy or a bacterial pores and skin an infection, cats will go into overgrooming mode in a bid to alleviate discomfort and heal it.
Fleas trigger a selected allergy in cats referred to as flea-allergic dermatitis. Your cat isn’t allergic to the flea however the flea’s saliva, which is injected into your cat’s pores and skin when the flea bites them for a feed.
Indicators of allergic reactions (whatever the originating trigger) embody pink/pink pores and skin, thinned hair, bald patches, scabby areas, itchy ears, ear infections, paw and nail licking and biting, behavioral modifications, scratching, rubbing of physique components on furnishings or the ground, disturbed sleep or relaxation, lethargy, and gastrointestinal issues.
3. Ache
Cats who’re in ache or discomfort will lick or nibble on the space in query. The supply of ache might come up for various causes, for instance, a wound sustained when out climbing bushes or a fracture from a street accident. Older cats are prone to situations like arthritis which makes their joints ache, or they could have one other underlying well being situation inflicting skeletal or muscle ache.
How do I cease my cat from overgrooming? As soon as you might be conscious your cat is overgrooming, a visit to your vet is required to rule out any medical points. After that, behavioral issues could be investigated and addressed. Both means, an acceptable remedy plan could be put collectively to assist your cat and it could consist of 1 or few of those strategies. The appropriate one in every of course will rely upon the reason for the overgrooming.
(Picture credit score: Waitforlight/Getty Photographs) 1. Administer any treatment or remedy as prescribed by your vet. This may occasionally fluctuate from parasite remedy to antibiotics to ache reduction to lotions. All of it will depend on the explanation for the overgrooming. In some instances, wounds for instance, surgical procedures could also be required.
2. Use anti-anxiety drugs reminiscent of pheromone sprays and plugins. These assist to calm your kitty by emitting an artificial model of the pure pheromones a cat releases when they’re completely satisfied, subsequently serving to to quell anxiousness and stress.
3. Rectify environmental stressors. This may be robust as it may be many issues however as soon as the perpetrator is recognized it makes life simpler! If they’re harassed over their feeding bowl (they don’t just like the odor of plastic as an example), then swap it for a ceramic one. Have you ever modified their litter? Extra complicated behaviors on account of newcomers within the family or a brand new house might require recommendation from a cat behaviorist or your vet. Take away the set off, if doable, do not punish them, and attempt to make your cat really feel as secure and safe as doable.
4. Incorporate preventative flea and worming remedy to keep away from parasitic issues. Guarantee you might be recurrently grooming them too. This not solely helps their coat however gives bonding alternatives and the prospect to watch their pores and skin and fur for any indicators of points. You too can take your cat to an expert groomer. Seek the advice of the Nationwide Cat Groomers or your native groomer for extra info.
Understanding cat physique language isn’t solely fascinating, it paves the way in which for profitable and enjoyable cat parenting. Grooming is not only for canines! In case you are in search of recommendation on cat grooming and what instruments to make use of, now we have all the highest suggestions for brushing cats .
