Cat Over-grooming: Causes, Solutions, and Proper Care from a Veterinarian

Cats groom themselves by licking their fur to keep their skin clean. However, they may groom excessively for various reasons, a behavior known as over-grooming or "lickiing until broken". If over-grooming becomes severe, it can lead to serious dermatitis.

This article explains cat over-grooming.

What is Cat Over-Grooming? Exploring the Causes of Excessive Licking in Cats

What is Cat Over-Grooming?

Cats use their tongues to clean themselves, maintaining the health of their fur and skin. This is called grooming. Sometimes, grooming can become excessive for various reasons, a behavior known as over-grooming. Over-grooming can be caused by medical conditions such as dermatitis or infections, or by psychological factors like anxiety or stress.

Common areas for over-grooming are places cats can reach, such as the belly, inner thighs, hind legs, backside, and back.

Cause 1: Skin Itching or Infection

Dermatitis caused by allergies or atopy can lead to intense itching, which is a major cause of over-grooming. Additionally, external parasites like fleas and mites, or bacterial and fungal infections, can also cause severe itching. Cats tend to lick intensely at itchy spots. Since they cannot lick their ears, they are often seen scratching them frequently with their paws.

Cause 2: Stress or Anxiety

Cats may groom excessively due to psychological factors such as stress or anxiety. Changes in their daily lives, such as moving, a new family member, long periods of being left alone, or staying in a hotel, can cause significant stress for cats. Excessive grooming can injure the skin, leading to bleeding and secondary infections, creating a vicious cycle of further licking.

Risks Associated with Over-Grooming

Can progress to hair loss and dermatitis

A cat's tongue has rough protrusions. These protrusions serve to entangle hair during grooming, keeping the fur and skin clean. However, excessive grooming can lead to hair loss and skin damage. If the skin is damaged, it can bleed, and pathogens can enter the wound, causing pus. Dermatitis causes itching, which leads to further licking and worsening of the condition.

Can also cause hairballs and vomiting

Excessive grooming causes cats to ingest a large amount of hair. While small amounts of hair are usually excreted in the feces without issue, large amounts can form hairballs in the digestive tract, leading to vomiting and loss of appetite. While it's good if the cat can vomit out the hairball, it can sometimes get stuck in the digestive tract, causing intestinal obstruction.

Treatment and Prevention of Cat Over-Grooming

The treatment for over-grooming varies depending on the cause. First, various tests are performed to identify the cause, and then appropriate treatment is initiated.

Pharmacotherapy

If the cause of over-grooming is an infection by fleas, mites, bacteria, or fungi, treatment for those specific issues will be administered. For fleas and mites, parasiticides are used, while antibiotics or antifungals are used for bacterial or fungal infections. If the cause is allergic or atopic dermatitis, itching is controlled with steroids or similar medications.

Pharmacotherapy may also be used in cases where psychological factors are a strong contributor. If the over-grooming is severe, psychotropic drugs may be used. Supplements to reduce stress may also be utilized.

Shampooing and Protective Clothing

Shampooing can physically remove fleas, mites, and substances that cause itching. However, bathing can sometimes stress cats, so follow your veterinarian's instructions. Also, therapeutic shampoos may be necessary instead of over-the-counter ones.

Over-grooming creates a vicious cycle where licking further irritates the skin, leading to more licking. Therefore, measures such as protective clothing or Elizabethan collars may be used to prevent licking.

Dietary Therapy

In cases of allergic dermatitis, the cat's food can sometimes be the cause. Therefore, hypoallergenic diets may be used. Since the food used will be therapeutic, a prescription from a veterinarian is necessary.

Dietary therapy may also be used for over-grooming caused by stress. Certain foods, such as those for urinary stone prevention, often contain ingredients that help reduce stress and may be used as a supplementary measure.

Measures to Reduce Stress

For over-grooming caused by stress, home care is also important. First, it's crucial to identify the source of the stress. Cats can easily feel stressed by changes in their daily lives, such as moving, an increase in family members (human or feline), more time spent alone, or the introduction of new appliances.

To relieve cat stress, small efforts can make a difference, such as spending more time interacting with them, playing with toys, or providing a safe retreat. If you realize you haven't been giving your cat enough attention recently, increase your interactions to make them feel satisfied.

Veterinarians may also use pheromone sprays or diffusers to help reduce stress at home.

At-Home Care to Prevent Over-Grooming

Daily Observation and Early Detection Tips

Cats groom normally, and they may lick a bit when slightly stressed. In cases of over-grooming, they lick frequently, causing hair loss, so it's important to observe the frequency of their grooming and whether their fur is thinning. Also, check by touching their body to see if there are scabs or if their skin is red.

Revisiting Grooming Habits

While cats groom themselves, it's also important for owners to brush them regularly. Brushing not only removes hair that the cat's grooming might miss but also promotes blood circulation in the skin, helping to keep it healthy. Additionally, it prevents hairballs by reducing the amount of excess hair ingested. It also helps relieve stress for the cat.

Creating a Comfortable Environment for Your Cat

To reduce your cat's stress, try to avoid placing stressful items in their environment. For example, don't allow them into rooms with noisy appliances like washing machines.

Consider installing a cat tree in the room where your cat spends time or arranging furniture so they can see outside from a window. Cats also need a space where they can retreat. Make sure there are enough litter boxes for your cat.

When to Consult a Veterinarian

Don't dismiss it as "just licking." If you notice your cat grooming more frequently than usual, or if there's hair loss or redness, consult a veterinarian.

Over-grooming can hide various underlying causes beyond skin problems or stress. It can also be caused by pain. In a past case I treated, over-grooming of the abdomen was found to be caused by cystitis. Do not wait and seek examination as soon as possible.

For the examination, skin tests will be performed, so if you shampoo or disinfect your cat at home beforehand, the cause may become unclear. Do not act on your own judgment; always confirm with your veterinarian.

Summary

Cat over-grooming can be categorized into causes related to illness or psychological factors. Since the condition often does not improve on its own, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as you notice it. If over-grooming is due to stress, create an environment where your cat can feel comfortable.