What is feline psychogenic overgrooming or alopecia?
Top A normal amount of grooming takes up 30-40% of a cat’s time. Overgrooming is excessive licking and pulling out fur, leading to bald patches and hair discoloration. Often the baldness or alopecia is symmetrical. A medical problem must be ruled out before a behaviour problem is treated. Many skin disorders cause itchiness that can result in alopecia. Treatment with anti-inflammatories, an elimination diet trial, and sometimes skin tests for allergies are carried out before a behaviour diagnosis is reached.
