If your cat grooms herself excessively, she may develop bald patches or even sores from the licking. Excessive grooming may also increase hairballs. This cat behavior can stem from many causes--some may be readily apparent, and others not so apparent. Appropriate treatment for excessive grooming depends largely on the initial cause.
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Anxiety
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Cats commonly groom more if they feel threatened, nervous or otherwise stressed. This may not be a serious problem unless the cat suffers hair loss or sores due to excessively licking and tugging at her fur.
Mites and Fleas
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Your cat can have mites or fleas even if you don't notice them on her (fleas can be elusive and mites are very small, typically). These bugs are very irritating and itchy--biting and licking her fur in addition to scratching are signs she may be infested with these bugs.
Look for black specks on the skin near her tail or elsewhere on her body. This is usually flea feces--a sign of flea infestation. If you can't determine if she has fleas, bring her to your vet for help determining the cause.
Dry Skin
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The cat's grooming may be a response to itchy, dry skin. Dry skin in itself can be caused by a dry climate or by underlying diseases, such as hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian may suggest diagnostic tests to rule out illness or disease.
Allergies
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Another potential cause of excessive grooming is itchy skin from allergies. Food, pollen, dust and other allergens may cause a reaction in your cat's skin. Cats with respiratory allergies or food allergies won't always develop a runny nose or bowel problems--but they will often develop a skin problem.
Complications
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Since excessive grooming can be caused by such a variety of conditions, some mild and some serious, you should take your cat to your vet if the behavior does not stop or she is licking herself raw. These wounds may become infected, requiring treatment with antibiotics.
Considerations
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Cats that groom excessively when stressed may benefit from a more peaceful home environment. Veterinarians may also suggest anti-anxiety medicine if the behavior is long-lasting or the cat is harming herself with the intense grooming.
When grooming is caused by itchiness, the source should be treated. If it is allergies, removing the allergen--if possible--and using cat-safe anti-allergy medicines may help.
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