Why is my cat overgrooming?

Updated 23/04/2024

One of the many perks of owning a cat is that they like keeping their coats in tip-top shape. But sometimes their grooming habits can become a tad too enthusiastic, and may even verge on obsessive. Today, we’re answering the question “Why is my cat overgrooming?” so you can learn to spot the signs of excessive licking and understand why your kitty cat’s seeking solace in their fur.

What is overgrooming in cats?

Cats are well-known for having relatively strict grooming regimens and spend a whopping 30-50% of their waking hours licking and preening their fur. Their sandpaper-like tongues have tiny spines that work to remove dirt, tangles, and loose hairs to make sure your cat’s fur stays slick and shiny. 

Considering they take so much pride in their appearance, it can be tricky to work out whether their grooming habits are “normal” or excessive. In addition to this, you may not even see a cat’s obsessive grooming in action, so it can be easier to identify by watching out for the symptoms.

Cat overgrooming can cause the skin to look damaged and sore, and scabs, infections, excessive hairballs, and even hair loss might occur. Cats that overgroom tend to develop a line of short hair in the place they’re targeting - most often the back legs, the base of the tail, the inner thigh, or the belly. You may also find clumps of their fur throughout the house.

Furry felines should never be punished for overgrooming, instead, it’s important to get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem in the first place. So why do cats overgroom?

Why is my cat overgrooming?

Grooming is a self-soothing habit that causes endorphins to be released in your furry friend’s brain. While we all love a hit of that feel-good hormone, excessive grooming can be a real problem. There are two main explanations why cats groom in excess: behavioral and medical.  

Behavioral reasons

• Stress and anxiety: Psychogenic alopecia from stress is the most common cause of cat overgrooming. It’s a habit they pick up in order to self-soothe, typically as a result of changes in their environment such as moving home, new members of the household, or a shift in the pet parent’s schedule. 
• Boredom: If your furry feline doesn’t have enough to stimulate them mentally and physically, they may resort to excessive grooming.

Medical issues 

• Pain: Painful conditions such as arthritis can cause cats to lick their joints to relieve the discomfort. Similarly, they may lick their belly if they have a painful tummy or a urinary tract infection (UTI). 
• Allergies: Allergies to food, environmental allergens such as pollen and dust, or flea and insect bites can all cause cats to overgroom.
• Parasites: Lice, fleas, ticks, and skin mites can be uncomfortable and itchy, leading to overgrooming.
• Skin infections: Ringworm as well as bacterial and yeast infections can cause overgrooming in cats.
• Skin sores: Wounds and even certain types of cancer can cause cats to overgroom.
• Underlying health conditions: Other causes of excessive grooming in cats include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and urinary tract infections.

How to stop a cat from overgrooming 

Stopping a cat from overgrooming doesn’t mean scolding them when you catch them doing it. Getting to the root cause of your cat’s overgrooming and then nipping it in the bud is the most effective way to treat it. 

Think about what it is that could be causing your furry feline’s discomfort. If you’re worried a medical condition is causing your cat to overgroom, take them to the vet for a thorough check-up. They may run diagnostic tests and take skin biopsies to find out if your furry feline is suffering from any illnesses, then advise you on the next steps to take, which may include changing their diet or prescribing medication. They may also need to treat your furry friend for secondary infections that occur as a result of excessive grooming, or refer them to a veterinary dermatologist. 

If medical conditions are ruled out and it is determined that your furry feline is overgrooming as a result of stress, anxiety, or boredom, there are a number of stress-relieving things you can do. 

• Stick to a routine: Knowing what to expect and when can help purr pals feel more at ease. 
• Environmental enrichment: Fill their space with interactive toys and stimulating activities that keep them entertained both mentally and physically. 
• Spend time with them: Spend time playing with your furry friend but also cuddling and petting them. If physical touch isn’t your cat’s love language, simply being in the same room as them may help calm their nerves.
• Provide them with hiding spots: Make sure they have somewhere they can retreat to when things get a little too much - hiding places up high often work best.
• Introduce new family members gradually: Give your kitty cat time and space to adjust to new humans and pet pals. 
• Keep their space clean: Make sure they have access to a clean litter box.
• Use calming pheromones: Synthetic pheromones are designed to mimic the natural ones your cat produces, can help relieve stress and promote a sense of comfort in their environment. They can be purchased as a wipe, spray, collar, or diffuser. 
• Anti-anxiety medication: Your vet may also prescribe medication to help your furry feline through a stressful time. 

Bear in mind that cats may continue to overgroom even once the correct treatment has been found. 

If you’re still not sure whether your furry friend’s grooming habits are excessive or not, don’t hesitate to call the vet - especially if it’s accompanied by other unusual behavior or symptoms. For cat sitters with a Premium or Standard TrustedHousesitters membership, remember that you can use our 24/7 vet advice line at any point during your sit, so if you’re worried about your furry friend, all you have to do is pick up the phone. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Gemma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Gemma Cliffin BSc BVSc MRCVS. Gemma is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet, and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.