Is my cat overgrooming? When should I take him to the vet?

Poor Boda! Overgrooming is usually a symptom of allergic skin disease or emotional stress. He may respond quite well to a veterinary prescription allergy diet like Hills z/d and stop overgrooming completely. Some cats need to be on allergy medication like steroids to help with the symptoms. If stress or emotional issues are the culprit, then Boda might need to be on antidepressants or anti anxiety medication designed for cats like Zylkene or Feliway spray. If you want to try something before taking him to the vet, buy some Feliway cat pheromone spray and allergy diet like z/d and try that for 8-10 weeks, as both may work and save you a trip to the vet! Good luck!

Overgrooming can be caused by a few medical problems, such as fleas, food allergies, mites, or internal medical disease. I would take Milly to a vet to rule out these issues. If the vet can't find anything physically wrong, then it could be behavioral. You can try supplements for stress like Zylkene or Comfort Zone/Feliway. Here is some more information on overgrooming in cats that includes things to discuss with your vet: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2565

Overgrooming can be a sign of stress / behavioral change. It can also be a sign that the cat is painful or uncomfortable in a particular area. Many times I see this with arthritis. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at him for further recommendations in case this is something that can be solved with a physical exam so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions or concerns.

Excessive grooming can sometimes be linked to a behavioral issues (IE stress, or even becoming a habit after a stressful event) rather than a health one. If all tests have ruled out issues (including samples of the affected area sent to a lab), looking to behavioral ones may be beneficial. Trying to reduce any stressors in Belle's life such as making sure she has access to her own food, water, litter, places to sleep and hide, etc may help. Using a soft brush if she is regularly groomed may help as well. Pheromone diffusers such as comfort zone can also help with stress related issues. An Elizabethan (cone) collar or a T-shirt covering the area that is excessively groomed can also help break the habit. Here are some articles that may be useful for you as well on the topic: https://www.petcoach.co/article/psychogenic-alopecia-in-cats/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/

It may be excessive grooming, which can be caused by numerous things, including fleas (even if she is an indoor-only cat), stress or anxiety, skin infection, mites, pain, or even urinary discomfort. I would recommend having Izzy checked out by a vet to first rule out common medical issues. Then they can help you determine what could be the cause and start her on an appropriate treatment plan. https://www.petcoach.co/article/excessive-grooming-in-cats-what-it-means-and-how-to-help/ https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952646

Two things you didn't mention: Was Mikimoto-san tested at all for thyroid issues or other metabolic issues? Sometimes thyroid and other issues can present with changes in weight, eating habits, hair loss and more. A full blood panel if you haven't had one done already can help. The other thing to look for is stress over-grooming. Cats can start obsessively licking as a result of stress, and the behavior can become a habit that continues even after the stressor is removed. Making sure Miki-san has his own place to relax, eat, drink, use litter and more can help reduce stress as well as using pheromone diffusing plug-ins or collars. If the stress has been removed but the licking continues, you may need to break the habit by placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar or T-shirt on him to prevent licking until he doesn't feel the urge to continue.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Excessive licking and grooming in cats is often related to allergies or stress. Moving house and adapting to the new environment can be stressful for many cats. Cat pheromones (for example Feliway) are typically used to treat stress-related overgrooming. They are available over-the-counter at pet shops and Online retailers. It wound be definitely worth to try a pheromone diffuser for Naomi. However, if the overgrooming start causing skin wounds, skin inflammation or hair falling, you should take Naomi to your vets to check her over and potentially investigate for allergic problems.