Overgrooming Cat Sores Treatment

All cats groom themselves. It is their way of keeping their fur clean while removing any foreign scents from their bodies. Overgrooming can become a problem if the cat begins to experience hair loss or develops sores from the excessive licking and grooming.

  1. What Is Overgrooming?

    • Psychogenic alopecia is the medical term for overgrooming. Overgrooming is typically a psychological disorder in which a cat licks himself to the point of pulling out tufts of fur, or causing lesions, or sores, on his skin. Without proper treatment the sores may become infected.

    Causes of Overgrooming

    • Overgrooming is a stress-related disorder, according to catworld.com. Cats normally groom themselves to relax and calm themselves. After being petted by a human, most cats will soon clean themselves to remove that scent. However, if a cat is overstressed, he may groom himself excessively for its calming effect. Feline stress can be caused by such changes as a recent move to a new home, an addition to the family or the addition of another animal.

    Diagnosing Overgrooming

    • If your cat has a problem with overgrooming, you should consult your veterinarian. She might take a skin scrape to rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing your cat to lick himself excessively. A skin disorder, allergy or infection might be causing both the overgrooming behavior and the sores.

    Treatment for Overgrooming

    • If no underlying physical condition is found, the next step is to find out what is causing your cat so much stress. This can be difficult to pin down, because overgrooming can turn into a compulsive behavior.

      According to catworld.com, you can help your cat by making sure that he has a regular daily routine with feeding and playtime. Spend extra time with your cat, play with him, and comfort him. Give him something to keep him occupied when you are not home, such as a fish tank to observe or a video of other cats to watch. These activities will divert his attention from grooming.

      Your veterinarian may recommend using an antidepressant or antianxiety medication until the grooming is under control.

    Treatment for Sores From Overgrooming

    • Sores on a cat's skin can take a long time to heal. Your veterinarian can give you an ointment to apply to the sores or an antibiotic medication to administer orally if the sores have become infected. You may need to use a medicated shampoo as well.