Show Download Article Cats over-groom themselves in response to stress. The act of licking becomes addictive because it releases morphine-like substances called endorphins, which gives the cat a natural high. If the habit is new, or not well-established, then removing the source of the stress may work to stop the over-grooming. However, sometimes the cat becomes "hooked" on the endorphins and additional treatment is needed. Keep in mind that the cat may be grooming itself due to a medical issue, such as itchy skin.
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Advertisement ReferencesAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX If your cat is over-grooming due to stress, you can help by creating a calm home environment. Give your cat its own space with at least one hiding spot so it can be alone when it gets stressed. Make sure it has access to food, water, and a safe place to sleep at all times. Keep your cat's litter box away from high-traffic areas and loud noises so your cat doesn't get stressed out when it needs to use it. If it’s still over-grooming, try using an over-the-counter product that gives off calming, synthetic pheromones, like Feliway. If nothing else is working, take your cat to the vet to rule out underlying health issues. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to help your cat relax when you have several pets in the house, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,642 times. Did this article help you?Why is my cat overly grooming?What causes excessive cat grooming? The two main causes for overgrooming are behavioural, when the cat starts licking excessively as a form of stress-relief (also known as psychogenic alopecia), and medical, when skin allergies or skin parasites are the main culprit.
What can I give my cat for overKeep your cat's litter box away from high-traffic areas and loud noises so your cat doesn't get stressed out when it needs to use it. If it's still over-grooming, try using an over-the-counter product that gives off calming, synthetic pheromones, like Feliway.
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