Why does a cat lick its fur until the skin is exposed and bald patches appear on the stomach and other parts of the body, how to treat it?

If a cat licks its fur right down to its skin, this may be a sign of severe stress and the influence of other external factors. In veterinary medicine, this phenomenon is known as overgrooming.

If owners notice hairless patches on the belly, back, tail, hind legs and other parts of the body, the problem may be lice, fleas or small parasites.

Wounds that a cat scratches to the point of bleeding can lead to serious complications, including sepsis, if owners do not seek treatment for the underlying condition.

Causes

Alopecia, in which inflammation of the skin does not occur, is formed for the following reasons:

endocrine disorders;
poor nutrition;
liver diseases;
stress.

Endocrine disorders

A characteristic symptom of hormonal alopecia is its symmetry. Hair loss occurs due to dysfunction of the following glands:

sexual in castrated animals;
pancreas for diabetes;
thyroid;
adrenal glands

Sometimes the cause of disruption of the functioning of the endocrine glands is benign or cancerous tumors. The occurrence of neoplasms is facilitated by the use of contraceptives to interrupt estrus or drugs that interrupt gestation. Treatment consists of eliminating the cause, that is, the underlying disease.

Poor nutrition

Most artificially bred cat breeds are prone to allergies to certain foods. Responsible breeders warn customers purchasing kittens what to feed their pets. The optimal solution is to use factory-made hypoallergenic food. Dry or wet food has the required level of calories, and vitamins, amino acids, and microelements are contained in sufficient quantities at optimal ratios.

The trouble with adherents of natural nutrition is their inability to plan a diet. The energy needs of cats are not taken into account. Excessive caloric intake leads to obesity. Low-calorie diets are prescribed for overweight cats. If there is not enough energy, the sulfur-containing amino acids that make up the hairs, as well as the vitamins involved in metabolism, are not properly absorbed. It is very bad if the indicated components are contained in the food offered to the cat in insufficient quantities.

Adherents of feeding natural products suspect that their pet lacks vitamins and uncontrollably uses feed additives. But an excess of biological catalysts is even worse. With hypervitaminosis, vital substances become toxins. The body tries to get rid of them as quickly as possible - with excrement and low-value body parts - hairs.

Hair is lost quickly and grows back slowly. The veterinarian prescribes medicinal food that accelerates the restoration of the coat. If the cat owner is a conscientious felinologist, he will not allow the disease to occur. The secret is simple - use premium ready-made food.

Liver diseases

The disease occurs as a result of prolonged intoxication of the animal with unhealthy food or an infectious disease. Beggar cats are at risk. Compassionate housewives treat them with delicacies, not suspecting that they are causing irreparable harm to their health.

If a kitten is not vaccinated or is not vaccinated in a timely manner, it is at risk of contracting viral infections. A recovered animal develops complications, including liver disease. In both cases, the pet is prescribed a lifelong diet. The veterinarian prescribes hepatoprotectors. The fur grows back slowly.

Stress

Cats are impressionable creatures. The appearance of a newcomer in the house, moving, a change of environment, expert exhibitions cause confusion. Sudden hair loss is considered one of the symptoms of stress. A prudent felinologist always has a calming drug in his medicine cabinet - Cat Bayun or Stop Stress. Medicines taken prophylactically prevent the occurrence of alopecia in your pet. If baldness has occurred, then medications speed up the process of hair restoration.

Causes and symptoms

Healthy hair in cats is shiny, smooth, with strong hair follicles. With the development of disorders in the body, alopecia may occur. Its areas can be symmetrical, with complete or partial hair loss. Even an inexperienced owner will notice problems with a pet’s fur, since there will be large quantities of it around the apartment. You can try to determine the cause of the appearance of bald patches. With some diseases, cats begin to scratch the affected area. If the violation is more serious, the skin begins to peel off, ulcers and scabs appear on it. Sometimes seals form. The reasons why a cat's belly is going bald can be:

allergic reaction to food or any of its components;
prolonged stress state;
mechanical damage;
avitaminosis;
hormonal disorders;
liver pathologies;
weakening of hair follicles;
skin diseases of various types.

Allergy

Allergies appear in response to new foods, vitamins or medications, food additives, insect bites and other irritants. Symptoms: receding hairline, skin may become red or covered with small pimples, scratching. In most cases, symptoms go away if the allergen is removed from the diet.

Avitaminosis

Baldness in a pet can be caused by a lack of vitamins A, C and B or minerals. Alopecia areata is characteristic, when areas without hair have a round shape. They form extensive foci, merging together. The skin is bright pink.

Stress

Factors that caused stress could be moving, a new family member (child, another animal). At the same time, the cat begins to rapidly go bald, which is associated with severe shock and stress. When under stress, a cat usually tears its hairs on its own. Susceptible breeds: Siamese, Himalayan, Abyssinian. Their restored hair will be darker in color.

Hormonal disorders

If a cat's belly goes bald, it is often a sign of endocrine pathologies. They can be caused, for example, by neoplasms in any organ. Hormonal imbalance due to castration or sterilization can affect the thickness of the coat.

Skin diseases

Bald areas will be symmetrical. Their location is noted on the torso, limbs, sides and abdomen. Alopecia can occur at any age, and in this case it does not depend on gender. If the damage to the skin is caused by a fungus, it will become dry, with the formation of a rash and peeling. With trichophytosis or microsporia, areas without hair will have redness, scabs, scales and even wounds.

Why is overgrooming dangerous for cats?

Intense, frequent grooming can have serious consequences for a cat's health.

Main signs of overgrooming:

baldness, hairless areas, bald spots on the body;
the presence of areas with sparse, brittle hairs;
deterioration of coat condition;
allergic manifestations;
the presence of scratches, ulcers, long-healing wounds on the body;
lethargy, apathy, or vice versa, constant anxiety.

Frequent licking can damage any areas of the dermis that the cat reaches with its tongue. Most often, damage is noticeable on the abdomen, the inside of the hind legs, on the front legs, sides, and sternum. The lesions are located symmetrically on the body.

By intensively licking the fur on its hind paw or tail, a cat can injure itself . If an infection enters the wound, it will lead to the development of acute inflammation in the deep structures of the dermis. In severe cases, if the cat gnaws the skin, necrotic lesions may appear in the damaged area.

When licking the fur, fleas and lice eaters enter the body, which carry viruses and bacteria. Overgrooming can cause disruption of the natural process of hair change, deterioration of the protective properties of the coat and dermis, which is especially dangerous for cats who walk along the street.

Possible options

Every cat licks under its tail at least several times a week. This process should not be considered pathological, provided that the animal is regularly treated against fleas and ticks (at least once a month) and undergoes quarterly deworming. If you add accompanying symptoms such as redness in the anus, discharge or the appearance of growths, it is recommended to exclude the following diseases:

Inflammation of the paraanal glands. It can form after eating bones, due to excess weight, soft food. Prolonged diarrhea can also be a cause. The first signs of inflammation may include fidgeting on the butt, constant licking under the tail, and redness in the anus. The problem can be solved by cleaning (at least once every three months, if there is a predisposition to inflammation). It is performed by a veterinarian in a hospital setting. After cleaning, ointments (proctosedyl) and suppositories (ichthyol or sea buckthorn) are prescribed. A change of food and increased hygiene are also indicated.
Fleas. They can cause itching in different parts of the body. But most often bites occur on the base of the tail and stomach. Therefore, if a cat licks under its tail, behaves restlessly, tries to chew out fur, or tears itself with its paw until it bleeds, then flea treatment should be carried out. The fact that your pet does not leave the house is not 100% protection against parasites. The owner himself can bring them on clothes or the soles of shoes. Fleas are not dangerous to humans (they do not parasitize the skin), but in some cases they can bite. All animals are treated, regardless of the presence of symptoms. The most effective drugs are Stronghold and Frontline. They are produced in the form of drops, which are evenly applied to the withers so that the animal cannot lick the drug. It is recommended to perform this procedure at least once a month.
Worms. The most common reason why a cat may lick under its tail frequently. Just like with fleas, an animal does not have to go outside to pick up parasites. He may develop them after being bitten by mosquitoes, mosquitoes, or fleas. Also at risk are pets whose diet contains raw meat and fish. Well, we cannot exclude the possibility that parasite eggs may enter the apartment on the soles of the shoes of the owner or his guests. The first signs of worms are itching in the anus, due to which the cat can ride on its butt on the floor. Licking and gnawing of fur in this area also indicate discomfort caused by parasites. Diarrhea, vomiting and increased appetite (or, conversely, complete refusal to eat) can be considered concomitant symptoms of helminthic infestation. Veterinarians recommend starting to worm animals from 3-4 weeks of age. As preparations, you can use tablets, suspensions or drops on the withers. Of the tablets, Drontal and Milbemax are considered the most effective. They can even be given in crushed form, adding to food. Some manufacturers offer meat-flavored tablets, since many pets flatly refuse to undergo deworming.
Injury. This option cannot be ruled out. A pet can injure the anal area while climbing trees or after playing or fighting with other animals. Even a small scratch can cause significant discomfort. Because of this, a cat can constantly lick under its tail until it becomes bald. In such cases, it is recommended to carry out antiseptic treatment of the affected area until complete healing. And limit the animal's access to the wound using a special medical cap.
Neoplasm. Unfortunately, this option should also be considered, especially if the animal is over 10 years old, it has been treated for parasites and there are no visible injuries in the anal area. The tumor can irritate the intestines, which explains the pet's restless behavior. The cat constantly licks under its tail, refuses to eat, and suffers from constipation. If necessary, the doctor performs diagnostic laparoscopy, during which cells are taken from the formation for histological examination. Depending on the type (sarcoma, lymphoma) of the tumor, treatment is selected (chemotherapy, surgical excision). Unfortunately, with tumors in the intestine, the prognosis is always cautious, even if the operation is successful and there are no metastases.

ZooForum: Cat combs fur down to skin – ZooForum

(others can give advice in a PM, indicating that the advice is not given by a veterinarian. But the forum is not responsible for THESE advice.)

The cat combs its fur down to the skin. Ringworm, fleas?

The cat is about 10-11 years old, cheerful, playful. He eats half-cooked fish (pollock), dry food, + we give him vitamins (Beaphar Kitty's, with taurine-biotin and protein). There are no worms. Kept in an apartment. Rarely, but we take him outside for a walk. The last time was last year in the summer. Not sterilized, she was not given any vaccinations.

For a long time I paid attention to the bald patches at the temples (photo, 91kB). Not to say that there is no hair at all on the temples, but it is noticeably thinned out. In the photos from 6 years ago, these bald patches are also visible. In general, since there was no ongoing problem, and it did not cause any particular problems for the cat, I did not deal with this issue.

Over the past year and a half, the cat has been itching and shedding intensely from time to time. At first I thought that I didn’t have enough vitamins, I bought them, and now I’ve been giving them daily for a year now. The shedding has actually become less. Then there was the thought that there were fleas. I used BioFloR shampoo, bactericidal, flea prevention. The itching became less for a while, but perhaps it was just the effect of washing.

Now, for several weeks now, I have begun to notice that he is constantly licking his tummy and paws. The fur on the tummy began to sharply thin out, right down to the skin, and irritation in the form of small red spots is visible on the skin (photo 2, 42 kB). Moreover, the cat had hair coming out on its paws and “heels” to the point that it was completely bald (photo 3, 82 kB). By the way, in the same photo you can better see the irritation on the tummy. I specially enlarged this fragment:

What could it be? The cat has been sitting at home for a year, does not walk outside, and has no contacts. If it’s lichen, then it’s not clear why it’s only just now coming out so actively, and it’s not clear where it came from

Mom injected penicillin and smeared it with levomekol. If I had a fever, I don’t remember, I crushed some tablet and gave it with food. a week later I was running again

How to prevent the problem?

To prevent this problem from occurring, it is recommended:

Treat your four-legged pet for parasites in a timely manner.
Protect your pet from emotional turmoil. You can't yell at him. There should be no quarrels in the house in which such an animal lives. To prevent the cat from getting nervous when going to the veterinary clinic by car, it is recommended to call a veterinarian at home if possible.
Regularly show the animal to a veterinarian for preventive examinations.
Do not delay treatment of diseases detected in your pet.
Feed your cat only high-quality food that does not contain allergenic components. If possible, the cat's diet, regardless of whether it consists of ready-made food or self-prepared food, should be agreed with a veterinarian.
Protect your allergic cat from contact with allergens.
Observe measures to prevent infection of the animal with various ecto- and endoparasites.
Regularly care for your four-legged pet: wash it if necessary and comb it in a timely manner.

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The cat licked all the fur on her paw

BONE ON THE CAT'S PAW

Good evening, Elena! My cat has exactly the same bump, only on his cheek. He will soon be 16 years old. It’s scary to go to the hospital; he’s too old for anesthesia. And it won’t work out, judging by the last visit to the veterinary clinic. Please tell me, do you know what kind of bad lump THIS is?

This is interesting: Photos of dropsy in chickens

Hello! Ours also appeared in an “empty” place. It seems like the cat’s lump doesn’t bother him. When you touch it, the cat doesn’t react in any way, which means it’s painless for him. BUT. a bump is a bump, and that’s no longer good. We don’t go to the veterinary clinic, because the last visit there is apparently etched in the cat’s memory for a long time (the visit was 2 years ago and not about this lump!!). He still remembers. Recently we tried to go to the veterinarian, but the cat was scratching and meowing so much that we had to return home. In general, we don’t know what to do. It’s useless to go to the veterinary clinic, call a doctor home (the cat now won’t let strangers near him).. In general, complete confusion. I saw your message, it felt a little better, after all, we’re not the only ones with such a lump. Just find out what kind of lumps these are. Elena, let’s periodically exchange news about this with you.. Maybe someone can tell us what this is like in our cats.

Good afternoon My cat has a tumor on his leg the size of an apple. The veterinarian thought that it was an abscess, they cut it open, took it for histology, and it turned out to be a benign tumor (the muscle tissue was saturated with lymph). Now he strongly recommends cutting off the paw. Maybe there are some other possibilities? I would be very grateful for advice. And I would really like to know how your cat is?

09/06/10 after the operation, without really coming out of anesthesia, the cat passed away. I can already write about this. The fact is that all the doctors interviewed in the city said that the paw should be removed. Until the last day, the doctor said that everything would be fine (well, just without the paw) and promised to look on the spot -

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The most common causes of alopecia

There are many different reasons why a cat can go bald, but the results often look the same.

Therefore, it is important to be able to differentiate the sources of the disease, which will allow for effective treatment. Naturally, a specialist must make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment measures.

Veterinary dermatologists have listed the most common causes of alopecia in cats.

Dermatophytoses (lichen)

Ringworm is the most common cause of baldness. It is caused by the fungus microsporum canis. Bald spots are localized on the cat's head and face. In dermatophytosis, the hair follicles become infected and damaged, causing hair loss in the affected areas.

Depending on the location and intensity, lichen can be:

local – isolated areas exposed to infection;
focal – several foci;
generalized – multiple lesions.

Only a veterinarian can diagnose dermatophytosis, and he will prescribe the appropriate treatment. You should not treat your cat yourself - the disease can become chronic. With proper treatment, complete recovery is guaranteed.

Parasites (fleas, ticks)

When a cat's skin is infected with demodex - skin mites - patches of baldness can also form. Demodicosis is caused by 2 types of pathogens:

Demodex gatoi. Contagious. A cat can become infected with it on the street or from a sick animal. The affected areas itch, the cat scratches them, and in the places where they scratch, the cat becomes bald. In this case, there is self-induced alopecia.
Demodex cati. Not contagious. It is an opportunistic agent that lives on the skin of a healthy cat. When immunity decreases and serious diseases (for example, diabetes) occur, the tick becomes more active. On the affected areas of the skin, hair begins to fall out. The cat does not feel itching - this is typical for spontaneous alopecia.

Self-induced partial baldness is caused by fleas. Their bites are sensitive to cats. They scratch, lick, bite itchy places, and thereby damage the coat and skin. It is even possible that ulcers will appear.

Self-induced alopecia can be caused by the following parasitic infections:

Notoedrosis - accompanied by severe itching, the cat scratches the skin until scabs form. The lesions are localized on the neck and head.
Otodecosis is caused by ear mites. Scratching on the head, especially around the ears, can cause bald spots.
Lice eaters - damage the coat. The infection causes the cat to itch and develop bald patches on the affected area.
The scabies mite is a parasite that eats passages in the upper layers of the skin, causing unbearable itching. The cat scratches itself until it bleeds.

Allergies

Another reason that a cat goes bald is allergies. It can be food and atopic - caused by allergens contained in the air or in the environment.

In the food form, the allergen enters the cat’s body as a result of the owners’ careless attitude to the diet. Some cheap industrial food can cause an allergic reaction in a cat.

In the atopic form, an unhealthy reaction can be caused by cat cosmetics - shampoo or fragrances. Some medications are also dangerous in this regard: ointments, sprays, drops and even flea remedies. Some flowering plants or home air fresheners may cause allergies.

All these factors can cause itchy skin. The consequence will be scratching and hair loss in the cat.

Examination by a veterinarian and diagnosis

The effectiveness of treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. As mentioned above, you should definitely contact a special clinic. Prescribing medications yourself is very dangerous. From such “treatment” the cat may lose all its fur.

At the veterinary hospital, your pet will be able to undergo the necessary examinations. One of the main tests is a trichogram. Thanks to it, they receive information about the condition of the coat, making the first conclusions about the causes of the disease.

To care for a cat, you need to know what a furminator is for, whether cats need clothes, everything about mating cats, how to choose a comfortable carrier, whether you need to sterilize a cat, how to trim a cat’s claws, how to make toys for a cat with your own hands, how to give birth to a cat how to make a scratching post.

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The cat licks and itches, but there are no fleas

Even if no fleas were visible during a visual inspection of the cat, this does not mean that there are none at all. Very often, small black grains are visible among the fur, very similar to trash - these are nits. And sometimes, small transparent bubbles – lice eggs – are attached to the pet’s hairs.

However, not only fleas can cause a cat to lick and itch. This can also be done by other pathological microorganisms, such as scabies mites. In this case, the pet will have visible skin damage on the ears, ankles and elbows.

Other possible reasons for your pet licking and scratching include:

Allergies to food, plant pollen, hygiene products, or insect bites (the cat scratches its face, scratches its ears, intensively licks and bites its paws). In this case, the veterinarian will recommend a diet to test for any specific component of the food that is causing adverse effects.
Fungal and bacterial inflammation. A set of certain fungi and bacteria are found on the skin and mucous membranes of both humans and their pets. Being in a normal state, these microorganisms do not harm. But if the immune system weakens, their number quickly increases, and inflammatory processes begin. Fungal inflammation causes severe itching.
Otitis is an ear infection that causes itching. A cat with otitis media itches and displays the following signs: it scratches its face, furiously rubs its ears, and shakes its head; swelling and redness of the ears appears, and purulent discharge from the ears.
Skin diseases (pyodermitis, notoedrosis, demodicosis, etc.) arise as a result of skin pathologies. The rashes that appear on the skin cause severe itching and discomfort. Scabies can also be accompanied by external signs such as baldness.

And a little about secrets.

The story of one of our readers, Irina Volodina:

I was especially distressed by my eyes, which were surrounded by large wrinkles, plus dark circles and puffiness. How to completely remove wrinkles and bags under the eyes? How to deal with swelling and redness? But nothing ages or rejuvenates a person more than his eyes.

But how to rejuvenate them? Plastic surgery? I found out - no less than 5 thousand dollars. Hardware procedures - photorejuvenation, gas-liquid peeling, radio lifting, laser facelift? A little more affordable - the course costs 1.5-2 thousand dollars. And when will you find time for all this? And it's still expensive. Especially now. Therefore, I chose a different method for myself.

Hair loss in a pet during seasonal molting becomes another reason for regular cleaning of the apartment, cleaning things and finding hairs in tea or morning cereal. Unpleasant, but harmless. A completely different question is why a cat’s hair falls out for no apparent reason, bald spots appear, and what to do about it. You need to understand that you can count more than 20 reasons for such troubles, without even going into details. Let's look at the popular and seemingly invisible causes of hair loss in cats.

Prevention of baldness in cats

To ensure that your cat is not bothered by a disease such as baldness, the following preventive measures should be observed:

feed the animal with balanced food;
carry out vaccinations and preventive examinations on time;
take care of your cat's fur;
avoid stressful situations;
exclude contact of a healthy animal with sick ones;
Treat your cat for external parasites every 4-5 months.

Baldness in cats is common; it indicates a serious malfunction in the body. At the first signs of alopecia, show your animal to the veterinarian and begin treatment, do not start the disease, because it is easier to deal with it in the early stages.

Watch the video in which veterinarian Nadezhda will talk about the causes of alopecia in cats (baldness of cats) and treatment methods.

A glaring case or a pattern?

Lucky is the owner who has never encountered problems with hair loss in purebred pets, even the owners of Sphynxes are no exception, because they come in velor. Cats of “noble” breeds have stronger immunity, but if maintenance standards are violated or they come into contact with other individuals, they can get sick like everyone else. Next, we’ll look point by point at one of the problems that every fifth cat owner faces.

Important! If you look at the basics, there can be only two reasons - skin problems or a general disease, so hair loss is a symptom, not an independent disease.

Treatment

The veterinarian prescribes treatment not that concerns the itching, but that concerns the very cause of the disease. The course of treatment consists of taking medications and includes both local and internal medications. Depending on the cause of the disease, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines (to eliminate allergies), and antifungals.

If scabies and redness of the skin are caused by an allergy to food or hygiene products, their use will have to be stopped and the food replaced with another, in general, to get rid of all allergens.

Alopecias that are associated with breed

Genetic predisposition to baldness deserves special attention. As a result of targeted breeding work, felinologists have developed cat breeds whose genes contain this anomaly. Sphinx, Ukrainian Levkoy, bambino, cojona, elf - the fruits of the labors of breeders. So to speak, they have beneficial alopecia.

Persian cats are particularly prone to dermatophytosis. The reason for this is probably their weak immunity. They are also more susceptible to chronic lichen than others. The trouble with this disease is its frequent relapses.

The disease is severe and seriously undermines the Persian’s health. Considering that rich and fluffy hair is the main advantage of the breed, then the tendency to baldness is a serious problem for Persian cats.

How to help your pet

An attentive owner will always notice in time any unwanted changes in the appearance of his pet. A responsible owner should definitely consult a veterinary dermatologist. It must be remembered that only with an accurate diagnosis can adequate treatment be carried out.

Modern veterinary clinics have all the conditions and equipment to carry out diagnostic procedures and issue an error-free medical opinion. The sick cat will be thoroughly examined and the necessary tests will be carried out:

blood test: general, biochemical;
a blood test for the presence of immunoglobulins to determine the likelihood of an allergy;
scraping from the affected area of the skin.

This way, the veterinarian will get a complete picture of your health status and the causes of baldness and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

What you should absolutely not do: if your cat has a bald spot, and the skin in this area is red and inflamed, you should not self-medicate and use various ointments without the recommendation of a veterinarian. You should take the animal to the clinic as soon as possible.

Diagnosis of alopecia

If you notice signs of hair loss in your cat, take her to your veterinarian. He will order tests and, based on the results obtained, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. The list of measures for diagnosing alopecia includes:

clinical examination;
interviewing owners and collecting medical history;
examination of hair roots under a microscope;
general blood analysis;
specific blood tests (for example, hormonal);
taking scrapings from the affected areas;
ultrasound or x-ray if a tumor is suspected.

What is overgrooming in cats?

Overgrooming is excessive licking of fur. Signs of this disease are the formation of patches of fur with broken or sparse hair on the animal’s body. In severe cases, these may be areas with a complete absence of hair (baldness). The main cause of this disease is skin problems. Overgrooming is directly related to stressful situations that pets have experienced.

Decorative breed cats are especially susceptible to mental disorders. In order to calm the feeling of anxiety, cats begin to constantly lick themselves.

Veterinarians say that oriental cat breeds are more prone to developing overgrooming.

What parts of the body are at risk?

Almost any area of the skin suffers from this manifestation. Common sites of injury are:

stomach wounds;
scratches on the inside of the hind legs;
front legs;
the front or back of the body.

Any damage caused by overgrooming is located on both sides of the body. With partial baldness, the broken hairs of the fur will feel prickly and sharp.

Overgrooming also occurs due to flea bites. In this case, you should undergo appropriate tests and provide effective treatment to your pet. Also, quite often an allergic reaction to cheap food leads to the development of this pathology. If you do not stop giving the animal low-quality food in time, the consequences will be disastrous. Overgrooming causes diseases of the lower excretory tract in cats. In this case, the pet must be examined at a veterinary clinic.

Treatment of overgrooming in cats

If behavioral problems develop in cats and any initial signs of illness appear, you should consult your veterinarian. It will be necessary to identify and eliminate the cause that causes stress in the cat.

It is especially important to consult a doctor if your pet regurgitates hairballs and if your pet begins to lick itself to the point of developing bald patches and skin rashes.

Why does a cat constantly lick itself?

Overgrooming or extreme licking of fur can be triggered by various unfavorable factors. This behavior often signals functional and systemic failures in the animal’s body.

Reasons for licking:

stress, nervous shock;
invasive diseases;
food allergies;
taking steroid drugs;
hormonal imbalance, endocrine pathologies;
hypovitaminosis;
metabolic disorder;
hyperesthesia syndrome (idiopathic syndrome);
dermatological diseases (flea dermatitis);
diseases of the excretory system;
peritoneal injuries, skin damage.

Overgrooming is a reaction to a pain reflex in the body that cats feel, so pets intensively lick the areas of pain and discomfort.

For example, if a cat licks fur on its stomach, this may indicate inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system. This behavior is observed with mastitis, endometritis, and urolithiasis. If a cat licks its hind paws, the area near the anus, this may indicate inflammation of the anal glands.

A common cause of overgrooming is a disorder of protein metabolism. It develops due to excessive intake of proteins into the body of animals with feed.

In any case, if the cat constantly licks itself, chews its fur, or even bites itself, we recommend taking your pet to a veterinary clinic, where the necessary tests will be taken, diagnostic tests, and studies will be performed.

The cat licks itself to wounds and scratches, how to treat it?

Licking is normal in cats. The animal licks itself in order to be clean. This process takes up 30% of his time during the day. But sometimes excessive hygiene can lead to the formation of wounds, scratches, bald patches and rashes. This is a clear sign that the cat has health problems. There are many reasons for this compulsive licking. The main thing is to notice them in time and diagnose the pathology. Every cat by nature tries to keep itself clean. That's why she licks herself daily and often. Using her tongue, she cleanses: fur, paws, tail, genitals and body. A natural process sometimes develops into an obsession. Then the animal licks the fur down to the skin, wounds, and scratches. There are reasons for this phenomenon.

If a cat cleans its tail excessively, after which ichor appears, this signals the occurrence of pathologies.

While licking, your pet regurgitates hairballs - this is a clear sign that the usual hygiene procedure has become too frequent and diligent.

The reasons for this behavior may be:

food allergies;
the presence of parasites and itching;
the presence of constipation in the pet (in case of licking the anus);
skin damage;
stressful situations (moving, home renovations and much more);
cat fleas and nits;
presence of scabies mite;
fungal and bacterial inflammation;
infectious disease, such as otitis media;
skin pathologies (pyodermitis, notoedrosis, demodicosis).

The animal experiences stress - as a result, it scratches furiously and cleans its fur. This leads to baldness. Having ruled out all possible external factors influencing the cat’s behavior, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian.

Other causes of excessive licking:

1. Often, a cat licks itself under its tail, which most often indicates the onset of estrus in cats. In this case, the only way out of the situation is mating. Sedatives, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, will help calm the female.
2. After sterilization, the animal may lick itself frequently.
3. At the slightest damage to the skin, the cat licks the fur down to the skin. This may be due to an injury at the site of sterilization or a wound that the pet received while walking outside.

The animal's tongue has spines that allow it to effectively clean its fur and skin. After the cat has eaten, it must lick its face and ears. But if the pet did not eat, did not sleep, but licks itself more and more often each time, this indicates that the animal has health problems:

1. Nervous tension. The cat cleans its whiskers and nose. His tail begins to twitch. The pupils of the eyes dilate widely.
2. Unpleasant smell. If a cat is stroked by a stranger, then she will definitely lick off the unpleasant aroma that remains on her fur.
3. Claustrophobia. If he is locked in a confined space, then the manifestation of the disease is inevitable. The cat licks itself, scratches itself until wounds and suppuration appear. The animal must be released immediately.
4. Overgrooming. Its signs are compulsive (active) behavior. The cat will be haunted by an obsessive state. She will actively lick herself around the tail or rump.
5. Presence of helminthiasis. With a parasitic disease, the cat constantly licks itself. If the animal is attacked by endoparasites, the condition will be accompanied by tingling and, as a result, the formation of wounds. When examining the pet, black spots are found on the body, which indicate an attack of nits.
6. The cat’s apathetic state towards what is happening. It will be accompanied not only by licking, but also by constant itching. The owner will not be able to understand the reason for the animal’s stressed state. Correcting this situation is quite simple - you need to provide your pet with peace.

Stress and mental disorders

It is rare, but it happens that scratching in cats is associated with a mental disorder. Most often, the wounds resemble scratches, but are not them, since the cat is actively licking itself. Wounds form on the paws and shoulder blades. The size and depth of the wounds is rapidly growing, but despite the pain. the cat continues to lick itself.

Assumptions about neurosis are relevant if all of the above reasons could not be confirmed. The diagnosis is confirmed by prescribing a course of sedatives, if the cat begins to actively lick itself and the wounds begin to dry out - the reason is stress.

Possible options

If you add accompanying symptoms such as redness in the anus, discharge or the appearance of growths, it is recommended to exclude the following diseases:

Inflammation of the paraanal glands

It can form after eating bones, due to excess weight, soft food. Prolonged diarrhea can also be a cause.

The first signs of inflammation may include fidgeting on the butt, constant licking under the tail, and redness in the anus. The problem can be solved by cleaning (at least once every three months, if there is a predisposition to inflammation).

It is performed by a veterinarian in a hospital setting. After cleaning, ointments (proctosedyl) and suppositories (ichthyol or sea buckthorn) are prescribed. A change of food and increased hygiene are also indicated.

Fleas

They can cause itching in different parts of the body. But most often bites occur on the base of the tail and stomach. Therefore, if a cat licks under its tail, behaves restlessly, tries to chew out fur, or tears itself with its paw until it bleeds, then flea treatment should be carried out. The fact that your pet does not leave the house is not 100% protection against parasites.

The owner himself can bring them on clothes or the soles of shoes. Fleas are not dangerous to humans (they do not parasitize the skin), but in some cases they can bite. All animals are treated, regardless of the presence of symptoms.

The most effective drugs are Stronghold and Frontline. They are produced in the form of drops, which are evenly applied to the withers so that the animal cannot lick the drug. It is recommended to perform this procedure at least once a month.

Worms

The most common reason why a cat may lick under its tail frequently. Just like with fleas, an animal does not have to go outside to pick up parasites. He may develop them after being bitten by mosquitoes, mosquitoes, or fleas.

Also at risk are pets whose diet contains raw meat and fish. Well, we cannot exclude the possibility that parasite eggs may enter the apartment on the soles of the shoes of the owner or his guests.

The first signs of worms are itching in the anus, due to which the cat can ride on its butt on the floor. Licking and gnawing of fur in this area also indicate discomfort caused by parasites. Diarrhea, vomiting and increased appetite (or, conversely, complete refusal to eat) can be considered concomitant symptoms of helminthic infestation.

Veterinarians recommend starting to worm animals from 3-4 weeks of age. As preparations, you can use tablets, suspensions or drops on the withers. Of the tablets, Drontal and Milbemax are considered the most effective. They can even be given in crushed form, adding to food. Some manufacturers offer meat-flavored tablets, since many pets flatly refuse to undergo deworming.

Injury

This option cannot be ruled out. A pet can injure the anal area while climbing trees or after playing or fighting with other animals. Even a small scratch can cause significant discomfort. Because of this, a cat can constantly lick under its tail until it becomes bald.

In such cases, it is recommended to carry out antiseptic treatment of the affected area until complete healing. And limit the animal's access to the wound using a special medical cap.

ZooForum: Cat combs fur down to skin – ZooForum

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The cat combs its fur down to the skin. Ringworm, fleas?

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