Does Your Cat Lick Its Fur Off? Find Out Why!
If you’re a cat parent, you may have witnessed your feline baby licking its fur. Cats are active groomers and tend to lick themselves to clean their coat. However, excessive grooming in cats can be associated with behavioral issues or underlying health problems and may result in hair loss. In this blog, we will discuss possible reasons behind excessive fur licking and hair loss in cats.
Let’s get started!
Why Do Cats Lick Their Fur Off?
Let’s look at some of the reasons why cats lick their fur excessively.
- Excessive Grooming
While all cats are active groomers, some of them end up grooming excessively, which may contribute to a condition known as psychogenic alopecia. During excessive grooming, cats may lick or chew the fur on areas such as their backs, chest, abdomen, or legs. Some kitties may also chew or pull out their fur, potentially causing skin irritation or injury. This condition is more common with young female felines but can be seen in other cats too.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Just like their human friends, even cats can suffer from obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Repetitive behaviors in cats may sometimes begin as displacement behaviors in response to stress, but persistent or compulsive behavior can have several possible causes. For example, a cat may continue a repetitive grooming behavior even after the original stressful situation has passed.
- Displacement Behavior
A lot of cats tend to lick their fur in stressful situations, commonly known as displacement behavior. Such behavior may be a way for cats to respond to or cope with the stressful situations. Displacement behavior in cat generally lasts for only a few minutes. However, repeated displacement behavior can turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Skin Allergy
Some cats can develop allergies to certain food ingredients or environmental allergens like dust, pollen, or mold. When a pet reacts to an allergen, the body’s immune response can contribute to itching and skin inflammation. To relieve themselves, cats may respond by excessively licking or scratching the affected area.
- Wounds & Infections
If a cat suffers an injury or experiences an insect bite, it may cause them to lick the affected area in an attempt to relieve themselves. Uncontrolled licking can even result in hair loss around the site of the wound.
- Parasite Infestations
External parasites such as fleas and ticks can infest cats and feed on their blood. Their bites can cause significant irritation and itching in cats. Many cats are also allergic to flea saliva, a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) that triggers intense itching. In response to the itching, cats may lick or groom their fur excessively, often leading to hair loss.
Some of the most effective treatments to help cats with parasite infestations are Revolution Plus for Cats and Advantage Multi for Cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Fleas Cause Excessive Licking in Cats?
Fleas can cause excessive licking in cats as their bites can cause itching and skin irritation. Cats react to this discomfort by licking themselves much more than usual.
2. How can I treat excessive licking and hair loss in cats?
Treating excessive licking and hair loss in cats requires identifying the underlying cause, which your veterinarian can help determine. Depending on the diagnosis, they can recommend an appropriate treatment to prevent excessive licking and address any resulting skin irritation or damage.
3. What are some signs of over-grooming in cats?
Some signs of over-grooming in cats include the presence of bald patches, broken hairs, or red and irritated skin.
Bottom Line
Excessive licking and resulting hair loss in cats can be associated with physical discomfort, skin problems, parasites, allergies, stress, or other underlying causes. Identifying the underlying cause and following appropriate treatment can help manage excessive grooming and aid in the prevention of further skin irritation or infection.
At BudgetVetCare, we carry an impressive range of skin-care products for cats that can help relieve skin problems in cats. Visit our online store to buy your preferred products from the comfort of your home.
