Cats may overgroom themselves for a various reasons & it's essential to determine the underlying cause to address the issue effectively. Overgrooming can lead to skin problems, redness, sores, depression, pain & hair loss if left untreated.
Medicating may only be addressing a secondary symptom but you will need to get to the root cause to solve the actual problem.
Why does my cat overgroom? Let's discuss 6 reasons.
1. Medical Conditions:
Various medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism & certain hormonal imbalances can cause changes in a cat's coat & skin, prompting excessive grooming. Other illnesses such as UTI, arthritis or dental issues may lead cats to overgroom the affected areas, trying to "soothe" it or as a coping mechanism.
Suggested Treatment: Your cat needs a vet visit. Tests will need to be done to determine what is possibly wrong.
2. Parasites & Skin Conditions:
External parasites like fleas, ticks, mites (resulting in mange), as well as various skin conditions (e.g. dermatitis) or fungal infections (e.g. ringworm), can irritate a cat's skin, causing itching & drives them to overgroom.
Treatment: Apply a spot on (e.g. Revolution) treatment as a 1st step. IF the issue still persists, your cat needs a vet visit. Issues such as ringworm doesn't resolve with spot on treatments & can be zoonotic (i.e. spread to humans & other animals).
3. Stress or Anxiety:
Cats often groom as a self-soothing behavior when they are stressed or anxious. This can be triggered by changes in their environment, such as moving houses, a new family member, a new pet, loud noises or getting bullied by other pets, etc.
Suggested Treatment: Rule out medical issues first. Introduce any changes slowly & gradually to make environment as stress free as possible. Seek behavioural help if anxiety doesn't reduce.
4. Atopic/Contact Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is an allergic reaction to environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold or certain cleaning products. Contact with certain substances or materials can cause skin irritation & itching, causing overgrooming, in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
Suggested Treatment: Trial & Error - switch to plant based, scent free & animal friendly products. Keep environment clean & dust free & invest in an air purifier. Make a note of when the issue commonly occurs to try to narrow down what is the possible allergen - could be seasonal.
5. Food Allergies (more common than you think):
Some cats develop allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their diet, resulting in skin inflammation, itching, and overgrooming. Common food allergens include proteins like chicken, beef & dairy. A food elimination trial needs to be done with a novel protein diet (i.e. something rare such as kangaroo meat), if it's suspected to be food related.
Suggested Treatment: Food elimination trial or hypoallergenic diet. Seek veterinarian's advise.
6. Boredom or Frustration:
This behaviour can be a result of not having enough mental or physical stimulation in their environment. Playing with your cat daily is important as allows him to expel energy & frustration. Some cats develop compulsive grooming disorders (psychogenic alopecia), where they groom excessively due to psychological factors.
Suggested Treatment: Spending more quality time with your cat & playing often. Put your cat on a fixed routine & ensure he has sufficient stimulation with cat trees, ramps, puzzles & toys. Seek behavioural help if anxiety doesn't reduce.
If you notice that your cat is overgrooming, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian. They can perform a thorough examination, conduct tests if necessary & help determine the underlying cause.
If all medical issues have been ruled out, do not hesitate to fix a home visit consultation with me to address behavioural issues.
You can find a downloadable Infographic below or on our Instagram Page @thecatwhisperersg
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