The cat is an expert at hiding physical painBut when someone is feeling emotionally unwell, we can tell relatively quickly if we observe them carefully. If they are tense, anxious o depressed It will do things it doesn't usually do, such as scratching and/or biting, growling at us, excessively grooming itself, or remaining isolated for longer than usual. When the situation is really serious, it may even... to hurt himselfFor example, by pulling out one's hair. licks, bites or tugs.
With this in mind, it is important to know Why do cats pull out their fur and what measures should we take? to help him improve both physically and emotionally, by learning to distinguish between normal grooming and a compulsive grooming which involves hair loss, skin irritation, or visible bald patches.
Food Allergy
If our beloved cat suffers some kind of Food Allergy, you may feel a very intense itchingwhich will cause him to scratch and lick excessively. In many cases, this constant licking ends in hairless areasBrittle fur and irritated skin. Sometimes we don't see them pulling out their fur directly, but we do observe that other signs appear early stages of alopecia or more hairballs than usual after grooming.
Food allergies are triggered because the immune system reacts to specific proteins from the diet, which the body mistakenly identifies as dangerous. Skin symptoms include persistent itchingSkin redness, scabs and hair loss, especially on the head, neck, abdomen or base of the tail, in addition to possible digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea in some cats.
To try to avoid it, it is highly recommended to give him a high-quality dietGrain-free and free of by-products, as felines cannot digest them properly and certain ingredients can act as allergens. It's advisable to discuss the possibility of a suitable diet with your veterinarian. elimination diet or use a hypoallergenic dry or wet food formulated for cats with allergies, with a novel or hydrolyzed protein source.
In some cases, the professional may suggest specific tests Food Allergy or prescribe a very controlled diet for several weeks to see if the itching, excessive licking, and bald patches improve. It's a slow process, but essential to finding the trigger food and minimize the cat's discomfort. During this period, it is important to completely avoid prizes, leftover human food or snacks that may contain the allergen without us realizing it.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of fur pulling in cats. A cat living in a state of chronic anxiety will tend to groom compulsively, always licking the same areas (abdomen, flanks, legs, base of tail) or even biting its own fur until it leaves symmetrical bald patchesThis behavior may be part of what is known as feline psychogenic alopecia, a behavioral disorder related to stress and anxiety.
In cases, the problem is triggered by changes in the cat's environment: a move, the arrival of a new pet, the birth of a baby, constant noises, frequent visits, prolonged absence of the caregiver, or simply because boredom and lack of stimulationFor these cats, grooming can be a form of emotional self-medication, as licking produces a certain feeling of relief by releasing endorphins, but if it becomes compulsive it ends up damaging the skin.
Besides obvious stress, there are more subtle situations that can generate continuous discomfortTerritorial conflicts with other cats, lack of high places to take refuge, frequent verbal punishment, or changes in the caregiver's schedule that disrupt its routine. In all these cases, the cat may respond with increased grooming and the appearance of... repetitive behaviors like pulling out your hair.
To avoid this, it is very important to do the following:
- Introduce the new family member little by littleCats are very territorial and may find it difficult to accept a second furry companion, so a gradual presentation It reduces tension and conflict.
- Treat him with respect and affectionwithout humanizing him and without forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to do. As his caregivers, we have to understand his body language in order to communicate properly with him and detect early signs of discomfort.
- Avoid making loud or sudden noisesLoud music, shouting, or any other kind of noise frightens him—a lot. A cat's hearing is much more developed than ours; he can hear the sound of a mouse from 7 meters away, so quiet environments are key.
- Zero physical blows and punishmentsMistreating a cat, besides being prohibited by law, will only cause it to live stressed, fearful, and more prone to developing compulsive behaviors such as pulling out its fur.
In addition to these basic guidelines, it's worth checking if the cat's environment is sufficiently enriched: clean sandboxes in quiet areas, several stable scratchersHigh places where it can observe, safe hiding places, interactive toys, and separate areas for rest, feeding, water, and a litter box. It is also recommended to dedicate time to daily interactive play time with fishing rods, balls or hunting toys, to reduce boredom and anxiety.
In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend synthetic pheromones, calming supplements, or even refer you to a specialist. feline ethologist to address more complex behavioral problems. If the cat is pulling its fur intensely, it may be necessary to combine environment modificationbehavioral therapy and, in certain cases, specific medication to control anxiety.
Fleas and other external parasites
When a cat lives in a good environment but still pulls out its fur, we should suspect the external parasitesespecially of the fleasFor many cats, especially those with flea saliva allergyEven a single sting can trigger a unbearable itchingThis causes the animal to lick and bite itself desperately, and often It ingests both fleas and their excrement. while grooming herself.
Besides fleas, other parasites such as Mites o lice They can cause intense itching, scabs, and localized hair loss. Although not always visible to the naked eye, the cat will show a frenetic groomingIt scratches itself with its hind legs and small wounds may appear from constant scratching.
If it licks itself much more frequently than usual, or if rashes appear clumps of hair on the floor, bald patches or an increase in the hair balls, you have to put a good one on it antiparasiticIt can be a pipette (a small, transparent plastic bottle containing the antiparasitic liquid), a collar, a spray, or a pill prescribed by the veterinarian, always choosing the product appropriate for their weight and lifestyle.
Even if we don't clearly see fleas on the fur, the veterinarian can begin the examination with a Physical exam meticulous, checking skin and hair, and recommend a antiparasitic therapeutic trialIf the problem of itching and excessive grooming improves after proper and consistent treatment, it is very likely that parasites were involved. There are also other less common parasites, such as certain mites or lice, which require specific diagnostic testing. skin scrapings or adhesive tapes.
Ringworm and other skin infections
La tub It is a highly contagious dermatological condition caused by dermatophyte fungiThe most common symptoms are a intense itchingScabs, the appearance of circular or irregular bald patches, brittle nails, and, in addition, the cat may smell different due to the skin irritation. Trying to relieve the itching, the cat may pull out even more fur from the affected area.
Besides ringworm, there are other bacterial or fungal infections which can cause itching, inflammation, or pain, prompting the cat to lick and bite itself. The veterinarian may perform tests such as a trichogram (study of the hair under a microscope to see if the ends are broken by licking), fungal or bacterial cultures and different skin tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
In case we suspect that she has itWe need to take him to the vet as soon as possible, as some of these skin problems are contagious to other animals and even to peopleProper treatment, along with good home hygiene, helps control the infection and reduce itching, thus decreasing the cat's need to pull out its fur.
In the home environment, it is advisable to reinforce the cleaning beds, blankets and scratching postsVacuuming frequently and washing textiles at high temperatures whenever possible reduces fungal and bacterial spores in the environment and prevents [unclear - possibly "fouling" or "bacterial growth"]. reinfestation from the cat or the contagion to other animals and vulnerable people.
Internal pain and medical illnesses
In some cats, persistent licking or biting of a specific area of ​​the body is not so much due to itching as to internal painA cat with cystitis (bladder inflammation), for example, may obsessively focus their grooming on the lower abdomenA cat with a anal gland infection a cat may lick itself excessively under its tail, while a cat with arthritis Or, joint pain may cause hair to be pulled out around elbows, knees, or hips to relieve discomfort.
Other systemic diseases, such as hormonal problems, kidney problems, or immune system disordersThey can also manifest as changes in the skin and fur, accompanied by excessive grooming. Although we don't always see clear lesions on the surface, the cat's behavior indicates that something is wrong. It's not good for your body..
These behaviors are a way of indicating that something is hurting inside, even if we don't see any visible wounds on the skin. Therefore, when we observe that the dog always licks or pulls out hair from the same area, it's essential to seek medical advice. Go to the vet and tell him what you've observed.The professional may recommend blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, or other tests to rule out urinary, joint, digestive, or hormonal problems that may be behind the excessive grooming.
Feline psychogenic alopecia and compulsive behavior
Less frequently, some cats develop a condition called feline psychogenic alopecia, in which they pull out their hair and groom themselves excessively due to a behavior problemIn these cases, medical causes such as allergies, parasites, or infections have already been ruled out, and the origin lies primarily in the chronic stressanxiety or lack of stimulation.
The most common triggers are usually the changes in routine (moving, home renovations, changes in caregiver schedules), the arrival of new people or animals in the home, territorial conflicts with other cats, or a stimulating environment that causes intense boredomThe cat turns grooming into a repetitive behavior that calms it momentarily, but ends up damaging its skin and general well-being.
The treatment always involves having identified and resolved any medical problem First, and then work on the cat's environment and emotions. This is very helpful:
- Ensuring an environment predictable and stablewith clear routines for eating, playing, and resting.
- Offer daily interactive game (rods, balls, hunting toys) to channel energy and reduce anxiety.
- Facilitate several safe havens, elevated areas, hiding places and scratching posts, so that the cat can choose where to feel protected.
- consult with a veterinarian specializing in behavior or a feline ethologist if the problem persists, since in some cases pheromones, supplements or specific medication are considered.
At home, when faced with an episode in which the cat pulls out its fur, we can try Distract him with gentle play or with an activity he enjoys, avoiding scolding or punishing him, as this would only increase his stress level. Reinforce with rewards and caresses The moments when grooming is normal and not harmful help to associate that behavior with something positive.
As we can see, there are several reasons why a cat might pull out its fur: from allergiesparasites or infections, even internal pain or problems of stress and behaviorObserving where and when your pet licks itself, noting any changes in its environment, and taking it to the vet for a systematic diagnosis (skin examination, parasite testing, elimination diet, environmental assessment) is the best way to find out what's wrong with your pet and help it get better as soon as possible, restoring healthy skin, a full coat, and a much calmer life.