Cat overgrooming, balding – Aarrgh!
Question:
Ben is our 2 year old indoor cat. We adopted him when he was 6 months old. We added a second cat 3 months ago. That was when Ben started overgrooming. He is now almost bald on his sides. Is he stressed?
Dr. Nichol:
Ben is certainly stressed. Watch him closely. His skin may occasionally ripple like a horse’s or he might suddenly lick with intensity or jump up and race out of the room. Often diagnosed with feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) these kitties are frantically trying to jump out of their own skin.
Indoor cats can get seriously agitated. Think house soiling, fighting, hiding, or self-mutilation. Adorning Ben with a cone collar isn’t a real treatment. It would prevent damage to his coat but, unable to soothe his itch, he’d feel even worse.
Research has shown that only 15% of FHS cases are strictly behavioral. Environmental allergies, now called atopic skin syndrome, are common in cats but so is occult mange. These are not little witches taking over Ben’s skin but tiny mites, most commonly Demodex gatoi, that live on the surface. Your veterinarian can do skin scrapings to identify them.
That new cat who barged in on Ben’s idyllic life may be a mange carrier, while showing no symptoms. There could also be an element of stress even if the new guy is, well, a pussy cat.
Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Mount explained that skin scrapings are valuable but the microscope may show nothing. If demodex is seen it can be eliminated with a spot-on medication called Bravecto. When it isn’t found, she treats anyway to rule out fleas and other mites. If Ben continues to wreak havoc on his comely appearance the good doctor advises Atopica, an oral medication, for allergic itching.
There could still be a behavioral component to Ben’s angst. Indoor cats need lives that simulate the thrills, adventure, and innate challenges stalking and killing to survive. Visit my website, drjeffnichol.com, for a full list of feline environmental enrichments. Antianxiety medication for your unhappy little guy may also help.
For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.
Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.
