How to Stop a Cat from Pulling its Hair Out

When you hear a person say they are pulling their hair out, you know they are expressing frustration at dealing with a difficult and stressful situation or problem. Cats, however, actually pull large tufts of hair out when they are dealing with stress or suffering from other afflictions. Hair pulling may be short-lived or an ongoing problem requiring medical treatment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Examination by a licensed veterinarian

Allergy Related Hair Pulling

1. Consider any recent changes in your cat's environment, food, medications or shampoos. Your pet may be pulling out its hair to alleviate an itch or skin rash due to an allergic reaction.
2. Seek treatment and advice from your veterinarian. A veterinarian will run blood or skin tests to determine if your cat is suffering from an allergic reaction.
3. Begin eliminating things that might be causing an allergic reaction. Of course, you shouldn't stop giving any medications without your veterinarian's approval, but you can change your pet's food, shampoos or flea treatments.
4. Moisturize your cat's skin and help heal inflamed areas with a topical aloe vera gel, if your cat is suffering from allergies.
5. Ask the veterinarian about cortisone-type injections to alleviate your cat's allergic reactions.
6. Make sure your cat's coat is clean and free of matting. Don't just brush your cat. Use a comb to make sure there is no matting down close to the skin.

Stress Related Hair Pulling

7. Recall any stressful or traumatic event or change in your pet's routine and environment. Cats are creatures of habit and often just the addition of a new animal or person on the scene can cause undue stress.
8. Ask the veterinarian if your cat should be medicated to resolve the problem. If your pet is pulling its hair out due to stress, there are several medications that can be given to relieve your cat's anxiety.
9. Play with your cat and pet him, give him extra attention and it will help overcome some anxiety.
10. Eliminate stressors in your cat's life, if possible. Obviously you can't get rid of a new husband or child, but you don't have to keep the new puppy if it is causing your cat undue stress.
11. Recognize that your cat may be obsessive compulsive, and over-grooming and hair pulling may be just a habit.
12. Distract your cat from his behavior. Add climbing frames, a bird feeder, fish tanks, play toys or catnip to your cat's environment. If the cat is active in play and has other things to focus on, it may help reduce the hair pulling behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cat's hair is matted it may be pulling its hair out to relieve the problem.
• Avoid stroking your cat along its back as this may trigger a hair pulling attack.
• Always see your veterinarian for a diagnosis and suggested treatment of the problem.