Causes and Treatments for Over-grooming in Cats: Before They Lick Themselves Bald

The cause of "excessive grooming" is not only dermatitis. Stress can also cause cats to lick themselves so much that they go bald.

Excessive grooming can sometimes lead to bleeding and pus. Ideally, you want to stop it.

Therefore, this article explains in detail the causes of excessive grooming, proper countermeasures, and methods to stop excessive grooming that cat owners should know.

What is excessive grooming?

Excessive grooming is also known as "lick granuloma" or "acral lick dermatitis".

As the name suggests, it is a condition where a cat continuously licks the same spot until the fur falls out. Bald patches tend to appear on easily licked areas such as the belly, hind legs, inner thighs, hindquarters, and back.

Continued licking of bald spots with a rough tongue can cause inflammation of the skin or even bleeding.

If excessive grooming is not stopped, bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. Also, a large amount of fur is swallowed, increasing the frequency of hairball vomiting and raising the risk of hairball disease.

Excessive Grooming Cause: "Skin Problems"

When a cat has some kind of skin abnormality and feels itchy, it will not only scratch but also repeatedly lick the area to try to heal it.

Parasites such as fleas and ticks, infections such as bacteria and fungi, as well as allergies and atopic dermatitis can cause excessive grooming.

Excessive Grooming Cause: "Stress"

Most cases of excessive grooming in cats are said to be caused by "psychological stress."

While cats groom to keep their fur clean, it also serves to calm themselves down. You've probably seen them licking their front paws when they miss a jump or get scolded by their owner.

Cats are creatures that feel anxiety, tension, and stress from even slight changes in their environment. As long as the source of stress isn't removed, they'll continue to lick and lick, unable to calm down, leading to excessive grooming.

Increased Family Members or Resident Pets

Events such as "the birth of a baby" or "a new cat joining the family" can be a major source of stress for cats. Cats have a strong territorial instinct, so they may perceive any living creature other than their owner as an enemy.

Changes in Living Environment

Be cautious of changes in the living environment such as "furniture rearrangement" or "loud construction noise." For cats, an unfamiliar environment can be a significant source of stress. Cats have excellent hearing, so the operating sounds of appliances like air conditioners can also cause stress.

Doesn't Like the Litter Box

"Dirty litter box," "smell of other cats," "loud noises nearby," and other factors that prevent comfortable elimination can be a major source of stress. In addition to the litter box, a calm environment is also needed for eating, sleeping, and scratching.

Lack of Exercise/Obesity

Although cats have an image of loving to sleep, they can become stressed if they don't get enough exercise. Additionally, if a cat becomes obese due to lack of exercise, the stress of not being able to move freely can lead to excessive grooming.

Collar or Clothes Don't Fit Skin

Many cats wear collars regularly as a measure to prevent them from escaping. However, the collar material may be hard or heavy, putting a strain on the cat. Similarly, cat clothes can also cause stress if they don't fit the skin.

Excessive Grooming Prevention and Countermeasures

To prevent excessive grooming, it's important to create an environment where cats can easily relieve stress and are less likely to feel stressed.

Increase Playtime with Your Cat

First, try increasing the amount of time you play with your cat. Even 10 minutes a day is enough; play extensively with their favorite toys. Toys that stimulate your cat's hunting instincts, such as wand toys and electric toys, are recommended.

Engage in Physical Contact

If you notice your cat persistently licking the same spot, discreetly approach and brush them. Gentle petting or massage is also fine.

However, it is said that "back patting" and "butt patting," which cats enjoy, can cause excessive grooming. Although the causal relationship with excessive grooming is unclear, prolonged patting is not recommended.

Improve the Living Environment

Re-evaluate whether the litter box, eating area, and scratching post are comfortable for your cat. If your cat doesn't get along well with other cats, separating their litter boxes and eating areas can be effective. It's also a good idea to have a scratching post for each cat.

Also, create a quiet, dark, and confined space as a safe haven for your cat. This can be on a cat tower or inside a closet.

Dieting

Cats are muscular, so they are prone to obesity. While ensuring an environment where cats can exercise without strain, such as cat towers and cat steps, strive for appropriate dietary management.

Choose Skin-Friendly Cat Collars and Clothes

Hard, heavy, or unsanitary cat collars can cause stress and also lead to collar baldness.

If you're using a leather or vinyl collar, switch to a soft, lightweight cotton or linen one that is less irritating to the skin. Similarly, if you're dressing your cat in clothes, choose ones made from carefully selected materials.

Also, we recommend keeping cat collars clean at all times and replacing them with new ones every six months.

How to Stop Excessive Grooming?

To stop excessive grooming in cats, the most important thing is to eliminate the source of stress, as mentioned in the previous section.

If there are skin abnormalities, go to the vet.

If there are any abnormalities on the skin such as redness, bleeding, or dandruff due to excessive grooming, symptomatic treatment is necessary. In addition to topical medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, oral medications such as anti-allergics and painkillers, or even surgery may be required, so it is important to seek veterinary consultation.

Also, if excessive grooming cannot be stopped, medication to calm the cat may be prescribed. It is also important to have regular health check-ups, as there may be an underlying illness.

How to spend time until excessive grooming stops

Excessive grooming is an act of self-harm. Cats want to stop, but they can't, and they keep licking, making it worse.

To stop such painful excessive grooming, using an Elizabethan collar or protective cat clothing can be effective.

●Lightweight, soft, and less stressful Elizabethan collar

Wearing an Elizabethan collar physically prevents grooming. It gently protects bald or injured areas and can help break the habit of licking little by little.

Traditional Elizabethan collars often obstruct vision, causing cats to bump into things and making eating and using the litter box difficult, which can be stressful.

That's why we developed the "Lightweight and Soft Cat Elizabethan Collar." Made of fabric, it's soft and causes no major sounds or impacts even if it bumps into something.

●Cat Skin Protective Clothing/Post-Surgery Wear to Protect Skin from Excessive Grooming

For cats not accustomed to Elizabethan collars, protective cat clothing is also recommended.

Poponeko's "Cat-Friendly Cat Clothes: Skin Protective Clothing (Coverall)" is lightweight and has a gentle texture, making it less likely for even sensitive cats to dislike.

Summary

Excessive grooming is largely attributed to "psychological stress."

Moreover, cats tend to groom excessively specifically when their owners aren't looking. It's very common to find them "bald" or "bleeding" when you realize it.

Excessive grooming cannot be stopped by training. It is important to identify the cause of the cat's stress and improve it as much as possible.

If your cat's licking habit just won't stop, skillfully use an Elizabethan collar or protective clothing. However, both Elizabethan collars and protective clothing can be stressful for cats. Choose gentle materials and use them correctly to minimize their burden.