[Written by a Veterinarian] Excessive Grooming in Cats: Causes and Treatments—Understanding the Background of the Behavior and How to Address It Correctly

Cats groom themselves to keep their skin clean. However, if a cat licks itself so much that it loses hair, it's considered abnormal. In this article, we'll delve into the topic of excessive grooming in cats.

What is Excessive Grooming in Cats? How it Differs from Normal Behavior

What are the criteria for grooming frequency and duration?

Cats spend about 30% of their waking hours grooming. Since cats are active for one-third of the day, this means they spend about two hours each day grooming. Cats groom after meals, after using the litter box, when they're bothered by their own scent or an attached scent, but also to calm themselves down when they're overexcited or feeling a bit anxious.

Physical effects of excessive grooming (hair loss, dermatitis, etc.)

A cat's tongue has barbs and is rough. As you can tell if you've been licked, prolonged licking can cause pain. Cats groom themselves to remove excess hair and keep their skin clean. If grooming becomes excessive for some reason, they may lick so much that they lose hair. Furthermore, a cat's skin is thinner than human skin, and continuous licking can damage the skin, leading to dermatitis. Also, ingesting too much hair can lead to hairballs accumulating in the stomach, causing trichobezoars, which can sometimes result in intestinal obstruction.

Main Causes and Symptoms of Excessive Grooming

[Stress factors] Changes in living environment and anxiety

Cats groom when they feel anxious or stressed. It is believed that grooming helps them calm down. Cats are animals that are easily stressed by environmental changes. For example, moving, an increase or decrease in family members, redecorating a room, or construction nearby can all be sources of stress. Excessive grooming can occur as a way to alleviate stress. They often lick all over their body, and hair loss can be seen in areas other than the face.

[Potential illness] Allergies, skin diseases, external parasites, etc.

Some illnesses can cause excessive grooming in cats. In particular, external parasites such as fleas and mites, allergies, and atopic dermatitis are accompanied by severe itching and eczema. Cats excessively groom to relieve the itching, which leads to noticeable hair loss and dermatitis. Due to the itching, they may also scratch with their hind legs, resulting in visible scratch marks. Besides skin conditions, if there is pain from arthritis, tumors, or cystitis, cats may excessively groom the painful area, which can lead to localized hair loss.

[Compulsive disorder] Repeatedly performing the same action without purpose

Excessive grooming is categorized as "stereotypical behavior," which involves repeatedly performing the same action without purpose. Excessive grooming that started due to stress or other factors can continue to be repeated meaninglessly. If this worsens to the point where the skin is severely damaged from licking, or it interferes with daily life, it becomes a "compulsive disorder."

Specific Measures for Excessive Grooming

Environmental adjustments to reduce stress (providing new toys or hiding places, etc.)

The primary cause of excessive grooming is stress. Changes in the living environment or lack of exercise can cause stress. To alleviate stress, playing with toys frequently or hiding treats for them to find can help relieve stress. If the cat is feeling anxious due to environmental changes, provide a place where the cat can hide. Put something with your scent or the cat's scent inside and cover it with a towel to block outside visibility.

Veterinary examination and treatment: If illness is the cause

If an illness is the cause, improving the environment will not help. Especially if there are skin symptoms or the cat is persistently licking a specific area, there is a possibility of some kind of illness. A veterinary examination and treatment tailored to the cause will be necessary. Once treatment is administered, excessive grooming will also improve.

Additionally, if excessive grooming is caused by severe stress, treatment is also necessary. First, illnesses that could lead to excessive grooming are ruled out. If psychological factors are determined to be the cause, drug therapy such as anti-anxiety medication or behavioral therapy will be implemented.

Re-evaluate how you interact with your cat (avoid excessive interference, reconsider physical contact)

Excessive grooming may improve by increasing physical contact with the owner, such as playing. As the time spent not licking increases, grooming naturally calms down. It is not good to scold, shout, or forcefully stop excessive grooming. It is also considered unhelpful to talk to or pet a cat while it is grooming. When a cat is persistently licking without purpose, make a noise to distract it, then invite it to play with a toy or engage in some light training to increase the time it spends not licking.

How to Prevent Excessive Grooming

Tips for creating a relaxing environment for your cat

Loud noises from home appliances or construction can be very unpleasant for cats. A restless environment can lead to excessive grooming. Always provide a place where your cat can hide in the room where it lives. It is also important to keep it away from sources of noise. A calm place for a cat is a dark, narrow, or quiet place with familiar scents. Having such a place allows them to rest peacefully.

The importance of daily observation and early detection

Cats spend 30% of their waking hours grooming, so they're often grooming without you noticing. In cases of excessive grooming, the grooming time is even longer. Hair can be cut or lost due to grooming. Check for any thin patches of hair or redness of the skin. If your cat is persistently licking the same spot, there may be a medical condition, so if you notice anything unusual, consult a veterinarian immediately.

How to incorporate moderate exercise

Lack of exercise in cats can lead to stress. It is important to exercise moderately to relieve stress. You can try changing up play by introducing new toys, or increasing the time and frequency of play sessions. If your cat likes food, even throwing food for it to retrieve can be good exercise.

Common Misconceptions and Precautions

Counterproductive reactions often made by owners (excessive scolding, etc.)

You might scold your cat or raise your voice to stop it from licking. Such actions are not recommended. They will only add more stress, leading to a counterproductive outcome. Also, refrain from gently speaking to or petting your cat. It's also necessary to ignore them while they are grooming. If they continue to lick excessively, try to distract them by throwing a toy or making an unrelated noise.

Why indiscriminate use of over-the-counter medications and sprays is dangerous

Excessive grooming may be due to an underlying medical condition, in addition to psychological factors. If you use over-the-counter medications or hair removal sprays without identifying the cause, they may have no effect at all or even worsen the condition. Always consult a veterinarian and receive appropriate treatment.

A Veterinarian's Advice: What You Can Do for Your Cat's Health Management

The benefits of regular health check-ups

It is often difficult for owners to determine whether grooming is excessive or not. Even if there is hair loss, they may not take their cat to the vet. While grooming is a normal behavior, excessive grooming has a cause, and the cat may be in distress. It is not uncommon to encounter abdominal hair loss during cat health check-ups, and there have been several instances where it was due to excessive grooming caused by cystitis. In this way, excessive grooming can be a sign of some kind of illness. During a health check-up, the entire body is thoroughly examined, allowing for the detection of skin problems that are usually invisible. Skin problems, including excessive grooming, can also be contagious to humans and other cats. Regular health check-ups enable early detection and early treatment of diseases.

Checklist for early detection of diseases

Excessive grooming can occur due to certain diseases. If you observe any of the following symptoms, there is a possibility of an underlying disease:

• Continuously licking the same spot
• Besides hair loss, there is dandruff, flea dirt, skin eczema, redness, or bleeding
• In addition to grooming, scratching with paws or rubbing the body
• Other symptoms besides grooming, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or elimination problems
• If you observe any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian immediately.

The importance of collaborating with specialists

In cases of excessive grooming caused by psychological factors or compulsive disorder, a special type of treatment called behavioral therapy may be required. Some veterinarians specialize in behavioral therapy. For persistent excessive grooming that is difficult to improve, referral to a veterinarian specializing in behavioral therapy may be recommended.

Summary

Excessive grooming in cats can be caused by stress, various diseases, or even compulsive disorders. Never scold a cat for excessive grooming; instead, help them release stress through play. It is also important to provide a safe hiding place where the cat can feel secure. If excessive grooming persists, it may not be due to stress, so it is important to consult a veterinarian.