CAT BEHAVIOUR VET
Why is my cat overgrooming?
Cats naturally spend a large amount of time grooming, and normal grooming behaviour plays an important role in coat maintenance, temperature regulation, and general wellbeing. However, some cats begin grooming excessively, leading to hair loss, thinning coat, broken hairs, skin irritation, or repeated licking of certain parts of the body. Overgrooming is not a diagnosis in itself, but rather a sign that something is causing discomfort, irritation, stress, or behavioural change. Successful treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause of the behaviour.
Skin disease and irritation
One of the most common reasons cats overgroom is because the skin is irritated or uncomfortable.
Possible causes include:
• Fleas or flea allergy dermatitis
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergy
• Skin infection
• Mites or other parasites
• Dry or irritated skin
• Inflammatory skin disease
Even mild skin irritation can cause repeated licking or grooming behaviour, and over time this can become habitual. In some cases, the skin may appear normal even when irritation is present.
Pain or underlying medical disease
Cats may also overgroom areas of the body where they are experiencing pain or discomfort, with grooming behaviour directed towards the painful area. When cats are in pain they may also overgroom areas of the body which are not in themselves painful.
Medical causes may include:
• Arthritis or joint pain, which may lead to licking joints
• Back pain
• Abdominal discomfort
• Pain from bladder disease, eg cystitis, which often leads to overgrooming the belly
• Dental pain
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Neurological disease
Cats experiencing pain often show subtle behavioural changes which may easily go unrecognised. Medical causes should always be considered alongside behavioural factors.
Stress and overgrooming
In some cats, chronic stress contributes significantly to excessive grooming behaviour, which is termed “psychogenic alopecia”. Cats living with ongoing environmental stress may overgroom as a self-soothing behaviour in response to a lack of appropriate resources or perceived threats. In these cats significant hair loss may be seen but it is not true alopecia as the cat is chewing the hair out, which can be identified by feeling sharp hair ends. Psychogenic alopecia is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means we can only say it is the cause once we have ruled out all potential medical problems. In practice, true psychogenic alopecia is very rare, with parasites and allergies being the most common cause of overgrooming in cats.
Stress-related causes commonly include:
• Conflict between cats living within the home
• Outdoor cats visible through windows or entering the garden
• Competition over resources
• Lack of safe resting or hiding places
• Unpredictable daily routines
• Changes within the household environment
• Chronic frustration or anxiety
Stress can affect both behaviour and physical health long before more obvious problems become apparent.
Habit formation and compulsive behaviour
Sometimes grooming begins because of an original medical or environmental trigger but continues even after the initial cause has improved, and repeated grooming behaviour may become habitual over time. In some cats this may develop into compulsive or repetitive behaviour patterns, and in some cases can cause severe tissue damage through repeated chewing of areas such as the tail or feet. This is particularly common when the behaviour has been occurring for a long period of time. The longer overgrooming continues, the more difficult it may become to break the behavioural pattern.
What does overgrooming look like?
Signs may include:
• Hair loss on the abdomen, legs, flanks, or back
• Broken or barbered hairs
• Repeated licking of one area of the body
• Grooming immediately after stressful events
• Skin redness or irritation
• Increased hiding or anxiety
• Changes in appetite or normal behaviour
• Grooming behaviour that appears difficult to interrupt
In some cats, owners rarely observe the grooming itself and only notice progressive hair loss. As most causes of overgrooming are due to underlying disease, you should always see your vet first. They can rule out some of the causes of overgrooming with simple tests such as hair plucks and skin scrapes.
Why punishment or interruption does not help
Repeatedly stopping a cat from grooming without understanding why the behaviour is happening often causes additional stress and may worsen the problem. Cats which are prevented from grooming by the owner usually just continue the behaviour when they are alone. Successful treatment depends on identifying the factors causing the behaviour rather than simply attempting to stop the grooming itself.
How a behavioural assessment can help
A full assessment looks at:
• Complete medical history and previous veterinary investigations
• Skin disease history and previous treatments
• Household layout and environmental set-up
• Relationships with other animals within the home
• Potential sources of stress or anxiety
• Daily routine and predictability
• The timing and pattern of grooming behaviour
• The cat’s emotional wellbeing and overall welfare
I then create a tailored management plan aimed at identifying the cause of the behaviour and reducing the risk of the behaviour becoming an ongoing long-term problem. This may involve environmental modification, stress reduction, medical investigation where appropriate, behaviour modification, and in some cases behavioural medication.
Important safety information
Cats showing sudden overgrooming, bald patches, skin irritation, or repeated licking of one part of the body should always be assessed by a veterinary surgeon. Skin disease, pain, allergies, and underlying medical conditions must always be considered before assuming the cause is behavioural.
About me
As both a qualified Veterinary Surgeon and Clinical Animal Behaviourist with a particular focus on cats, I understand that excessive grooming behaviour often involves complex interactions between physical health, emotional wellbeing, environmental pressures, and learned behavioural patterns. My approach focuses on identifying the underlying cause of the behaviour rather than simply trying to stop the symptoms.
Finally…
If your cat has started excessive grooming, developed bald patches, or seems to be repeatedly licking certain parts of the body, a behavioural consultation can help identify the cause and develop a practical plan tailored specifically to your cat and home environment. Excessive grooming may sometimes be associated with chronic stress within the home, particularly in cats experiencing inter-cat conflict or other environmental stressors.
Get in touch here to discuss a consultation.
This page is intended as general guidance only and is not a substitute for veterinary examination, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your cat, please speak to your registered vet.