Compulsive Grooming in Cats

Is kitty just clean or stressed?

Cats are naturally clean creatures and spend a large amount of their time grooming themselves. However, when a cat grooms itself to the point of baldness, it may indicate a problem called psychogenic alopecia. This essentially means that the cat is losing hair due to excessive and compulsive grooming.

Causes

Two of the main reasons a cat overgrooms itself are stress and boredom. Skin conditions caused by allergies to food or fleas can also trigger compulsive grooming.

Emotional Aspect

Grooming is a natural stress-reliever for your cat, and it can serve as a distraction while releasing hormones to calm her.

Symptoms

You may notice symmetrical bald spots, usually starting on your cat's abdomen or inner thighs. An increase in hairballs or large, pulled clumps of hair may also be an indication of overgrooming.

Diagnosis

A physical exam will be performed, and some tests may be conducted---such as a urinalysis or blood tests---in order to rule out other possible causes of the excessive grooming, including allergies or parasites.

Treatment

In the cases of stress or boredom, stimulating toys, a companion or extra play time can help dissipate your cat's anxiety. The antidepressant medication Prozac may be prescribed depending upon your cat's anxiety level and the underlying cause.

References

• Psychogenic Alopecia