Why Do Cats Overgroom?
While grooming is natural and necessary, some cats will overgroom, causing skin irritation or hair loss. If you own a cat, you probably have felt the scratchy texture of their tongue, which is needed for grooming. Cats lick their body and paws to clean them, disperse natural oils, maintain their coat, and promote proper circulation. A cat with normal grooming habits will spend 30%-50% of their day grooming themselves! Here are a few reasons a cat might be overgrooming, and some ways to help solve the problem.
Why Do Cats Overgroom?
Cats overgroom for a variety of reasons. Some cats overgroom from physical problems such as rashes, hot spots, or allergies. Overgrooming might also be a sign of parasite infestations from ticks, fleas, or ringworm.
Not all reasons for overgrooming are physical, sometimes it might also be the result of stress and anxiety. Grooming is a self-soothing behavior, so when a cat feels anxious or overwhelmed they are more likely to overgroom. Cats are creatures-of-habit, so changes to their routine or a new environment can be very stressful for them. This kind of grooming is called psychogenic alopecia. Over time, it can become a habit if not addressed soon enough.
How To Determine Why Your Cat Is Overgrooming
If your cat is overgrooming because of a health-related problem, you probably will notice symptoms. For skin problems, you may see hot spots, cuts, bug bites, red patches, bumps, hair loss, or dry patches of skin. In some cases, these symptoms can mean your cat has a skin infection or parasite. If you notice these symptoms along with fatigue, loss of appetite, or their fur losing its shine, contact your veterinarian to determine if your cat has a parasite or infection.
Some other health-related causes of overgrooming might be arthritis, auto-immune conditions, diabetes, or a urinary tract infection. Since overgrooming can be caused by many different health conditions, it is important to speak with your veterinarian if your cat starts overgrooming.
How To Help Your Cat
If your cat overgrooms because of physical reasons like infection, allergies, or parasites, you should speak with your vet. Your veterinarian will be able to provide the correct treatment. For skin irritations like hot spots or bug bites, you can use HoneyCure to soothe the area, prevent infection, and deter them from licking the area while it heals.
If overgrooming is caused by anxiety or boredom, there are ways to make your home more comfortable and fun! Here are a few that we suggest trying.
Most pet stores and veterinarians sell cat-formulated wall plug-ins or sprays that release a relaxing pheromone that only cats can smell. This may help to reduce your cat's stress and make them less likely to overgroom.
Keeping a solid routine may help your cat feel more relaxed. Try an automatic food dispenser with a timer to ensure your cat gets their food at the same time every day.
If your cat is bored try giving them mentally stimulating toys that they can play with during the day. You can try a food or treat puzzle, interactive battery-powered toys, or leave blinds open so they can bird watch!
Whether your cat is bored or anxious, spending more time at home with them may help reduce their anxiety.
Even though grooming is natural, it is important that a cat doesn’t overgroom. It can become a habit for cats, so breaking it can take time. Be patient with your cat while you both get into a healthy grooming schedule.
Care, International Cat. International Cat Care, 6 Oct. 2019, icatcare.org/advice/over-grooming/#:~:text=The%20majority%20of%20cases%20of,or%20when%20they%20are%20anxious.
“Cat Overgrooming: What’s Normal and What Isn’t?” Bond Vet, 14 Mar. 2022, bondvet.com/b/cat-overgrooming.
“Understanding Your Cat’s Grooming Habits: Hill’s Pet.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 7 July 2023, www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/why-cats-groom-and-lick-themselves#:~:text=Cats%20groom%20themselves%20not%20only,To%20stimulate%20circulation.
“Parasitic Infection in Cats.” Wag, Management, Cost, 22 June 2023, wagwalking.com/cat/condition/parasitic-infection.