Does your cat lick itself continually? Does your cat have patches of fur lacking or hair loss? If that’s the case, your cat could be grooming excessively. Right here we’ll talk about the best way to spot indicators of extreme grooming, what could be inflicting your cat to over groom itself and the best way to cease it.
Indicators to look out for
There are a number of key indicators to look out for should you suspect your cat is over-grooming. You’ll want to observe your cat and see:
- Any hair loss or patches of fur lacking?
- Is any space of your cat’s pores and skin uncooked or irritated?
- Are they licking, biting or scratching a specific space of their physique obsessively?
When you discover any of those indicators, it’s necessary to schedule a visit to the vet to rule out any well being situations. Extreme self-grooming, often known as hyperesthesia or psychogenic alopecia, could be a signal of hysteria or stress in cats. Now let’s assist your cat out!
Methods to cease extreme grooming in cats
Extreme grooming could be a results of a wide range of points however is often related to pores and skin situations, underlying well being issues and anxiousness or stress.
Overgrooming as a consequence of a pores and skin situation
Pores and skin situations can lead to fixed scratching, licking, biting and overgrooming. Begin with a visit to the vet for therapy. In some circumstances, extreme grooming could be a signal of an underlying well being situation. Your veterinarian might prescribe remedy or suggest a change in food plan. In case your veterinarian determines that your cat is wholesome, then take into account behavioral causes in your cat’s grooming obsession.
Over grooming as a consequence of anxiousness/stress
When you assume extreme grooming is because of anxiousness or stress, there are some things you are able to do to assist your cat and scale back stress the place potential. Begin by analyzing your setting. Is it loud and hectic? Does your cat have locations to cover if they need? Are there different animals within the dwelling? Has something modified, like a brand new home, new child, new vital different? If that’s the case, your cat could also be stressed concerning the setting.
Begin by making a serene setting in your cat. Ensure your cat has locations the place they’ll disguise, like a closet or spare bed room. Hold the noises down. By no means punish your cat as this might make the issue worse (and it doesn’t work!) – you’ll simply trigger extra stress and wreck the bond you have got along with your cat.
In some circumstances, boredom in cats may cause anxiousness and stress. Contemplate whether or not or not your cat is bored or affected by separation anxiousness. Ensure they’ve loads of toys and play time with you to launch pent up vitality. Playtime is a superb bonding expertise for you and your cat.
Grooming is a crucial a part of cats’ lives, but when it turns into extreme, it ought to be addressed along with your veterinarian first. If well being points are dominated out, take into account your pet’s psychological well being and take the required step as outlined above to right the habits. In case your cat remains to be having points, take into account consulting with a cat behavioral therapist.