Let me tell you, cats are clean creatures.
They have to make sure their fur is clean at all times.
There is no stopping cleanliness when it comes to cats.
It amazes me that some cats are cleaner than some humans I know.
Marley, my fully-grown cat, is a clean freak.
He makes me question whether my grooming habits as a human being are even sufficient enough.
But little did I know that Marley had developed a bit of a self-grooming problem.
And by that, I noticed that he had several patches of hair missing particularly around his stomach and legs.
This was more than a little alarming for me as a cat owner.
I had to figure out what was wrong.
So I took Marley to the veterinarian to see what was going on.
Apparently, Marley had developed stress for some very odd reason.
This caused him to develop what they call psychogenic alopecia.
I don’t know what caused his stress, but my focus at that point was no longer on what was causing his stress.
It was to either reduce it or eliminate it altogether
The veterinarian told me to focus on two things: stress reduction and environmental enrichment.
And that’s what I want to get into today.
So without further ado, let’s get into how to stop excessive grooming in cats.
4 Steps to Stop Your Cat from Excessive Over Grooming
Keep Feeding Time Consistent
Make sure your cat eats at the same time every single day. Don’t switch it up.
This will help get your cat feeling normal again.
Give Your Cat Safe Spaces
Provide your cat with hiding boxes, access to higher perches, and appropriate scratching surfaces.
Make sure your cat has access to everything it needs as it will surely need to unwind.
Your cat needs to be in a cat-friendly playground.
Give Your Cat Emotional Support
Make sure your cat’s emotional needs are being met.
Make sure to play with your cat and interact with it on a daily basis.
Bonding with your cat will make your relationship stronger and have a positive psychological effect on it.
Be Patient
Your cat will not become a non-excessive groomer overnight.
It will take time for it to get back to normal.
Remember, this is a process.
Key Things to Remember About Excessive Grooming
- Make sure to rule out any other medical causes for excessive grooming. Conditions such as psychogenic alopecia are very serious and should not be taken lightly. Look into what is making your cat behave in strange ways.
- The veterinarian is your friend. Your veterinarian should point out health concerns and what steps to take should there be anything for you as an owner to worry about.
- A cat-friendly environment leads to a happy cat. Make your home as cat-friendly as possible. Use toys. Use cat food. Use whatever you can to your advantage to get your cat back to normal again.
Video: Excessive Grooming in Cats
If you have no idea what psychogenic alopecia is or you are concerned that your cat may have it, don’t worry! I have you covered! Just check out the video link below.
In this video, you’ll discover what causes excessive grooming in cats and what you do to do stop it.
Final Thoughts on How to Stop Excessive Grooming in Cats
If your cat is grooming itself excessively and you notice several bald spots on its body, take it to the veterinarian immediately.
Don’t try to diagnose the problem yourself. Let a trained professional do it.
That’s what veterinarians are for.
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions closely. They will tell you what you need to do.
Conditions such as psychogenic alopecia are not to be taken lightly, but they don’t have to spell the end for you and your cat.
Remember, you can overcome this problem with your cat by being there every step of the way.
You must be logged in to post a comment.