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Excessive licking leading to hair loss in cats shouldn't alarm you. This behavior, known as overgrooming or fur mowing, commonly subsides with appropriate treatment of the root cause. Medical issues or stress often trigger cats to overgroom. This guide explores prevalent causes of feline overgrooming and effective remedies, along with interim measures to address your cat's compulsive licking.
Procedures
Preventing Cat Overgrooming
Utilize an Elizabethan collar to curb overgrooming while identifying the cause. Once you pinpoint why your cat is licking its fur excessively, focus on addressing the underlying issue. Meanwhile, an Elizabethan collar—also referred to as an E-collar or head cone—can offer temporary protection to your cat's fur and skin, potentially breaking the cycle of obsessive licking. Find an Elizabethan collar at a pet supply store or online, or consult your veterinarian for assistance.
- The collar should fit snugly, allowing space for 2 fingers between it and your cat's neck.
- Keeping an E-collar on a cat can pose challenges. Tying it to your cat's regular collar or learning to fashion a harness from gauze with your vet's guidance might help.
- If prolonged use of the collar is necessary, ensure your cat remains clean and groomed through daily brushing, particularly crucial for long-haired breeds.
Use a bitter spray or ointment on areas where your cat overgrooms. If your feline friend tends to concentrate its overgrooming on specific spots—like an itchy wound or an infected area—applying a bitter spray can serve as a temporary measure while addressing the underlying issue. These distasteful sprays discourage licking and can be found in various flavors such as bitter apple, cherry, or orange at pet supply stores or veterinary offices.
- This option is also viable if you struggle to keep an Elizabethan collar on your cat.
- Some of these treatments are available as ointments or creams. Experimentation may be necessary as some cats may actually find the bitter taste enjoyable.
- Exercise caution when applying these products around open wounds as they may cause stinging or irritation. Always follow the instructions on the product label.
Shield problem areas with a bandage or clothing. If bitter sprays or Elizabethan collars fail to deter your cat's overgrooming, covering the affected area is another effective temporary solution. Consult your vet about using a bandage over an itchy wound or infected region on your cat's skin to minimize licking. Alternatively, consider dressing your cat in a baby onesie or dog sweater to limit grooming on the back, sides, and belly.
- You can even fashion a charming onesie for your cat using a sock.
Treat your cat for fleas if detected. Excessive scratching, chewing, or restlessness in your cat could indicate a flea infestation, leading to hair loss. To check for fleas, gently comb your cat's fur with a fine-toothed flea comb. Look for fleas (small brown or black insects resembling sesame seeds) and flea dirt, which turns red when wet.
- If fleas are present, treatment is essential to prevent bacterial skin infections. Consult your vet for options such as flea shampoos or spot-on treatments, which also target other skin parasites like lice and mites.
- Alongside washing your cat's bedding and thorough vacuuming, consider using pet-safe pest control products like diatomaceous earth in your home.
- Cats with flea allergies may experience hair loss around the tail and hind legs, along with bald patches and scabs around the head and neck.
Engage in interactive play to alleviate boredom and loneliness. Keeping your cat entertained and engaged through play reduces the likelihood of excessive self-grooming. Dedicate some time daily to interact with your cat, whether through playing with toys or indulging in a cuddle session.
- Ensure your cat has a variety of toys for independent play, providing entertainment even when you're not available.
Explore calming aids like pheromone spray for anxious cats. If your cat tends to be anxious and on edge, consider spraying its favorite resting spots with pheromone spray or using a diffuser in areas it frequents. Alternatively, opt for a calming collar to help relax your cat, reducing the urge to self-soothe through excessive grooming.
- Find feline pheromone products such as sprays, diffusers, or collars online, at pet supply stores, or through your veterinarian.
Consider anxiety medication for highly stressed cats. In cases where your cat exhibits extreme stress, such as after a recent relocation or the addition of a new pet or family member, medication may offer relief. Consult your vet regarding prescription anti-anxiety medication to alleviate stress-induced behaviors like excessive grooming and licking.
- Your vet may suggest combining medication with other stress-reducing strategies, such as establishing a calming daily routine or providing additional toys and hiding spots.
Why does my cat excessively groom?
Underlying medical issues may trigger excessive grooming in cats. Schedule a vet appointment to identify potential causes of your cat's fur licking. Your vet can differentiate between overgrooming and other forms of hair loss and address common medical reasons, including parasite infestations, skin infections, allergies, wounds, and hormonal imbalances, through examination and diagnostic tests.
- Observe for symptoms such as rashes, redness, scabs, or sores in areas where your cat excessively licks its fur.
Stress-related grooming can contribute to over-grooming behavior. Grooming serves as a source of comfort for cats, leading anxious or stressed felines to groom excessively, often resulting in hair loss. Focus on identifying potential stressors such as changes in environment or routine, and implement strategies to enhance your cat's sense of security and well-being.
- Manage inter-pet conflicts by providing separate spaces and resources for each pet, minimizing stress in multi-pet households.
- Maintain a consistent daily routine for feeding, grooming, and playtime to establish predictability.
- Offer various resting and hiding spots, such as climbing structures and cat condos, to create a secure environment.
Guidance
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Occasionally, cats develop a habit of excessive grooming during periods of temporary stress, which may persist even after the stressor has resolved. Interrupting the licking cycle, such as through increased playtime or temporary E-collar use, can help your cat overcome this behavior within approximately a month.
