Increased Personal Hygiene (Licking) in cats
When to visit the vet?
Non-urgent see a veterinarian within 2–3 days
ORANGE for bald, weeping, or bleeding areas, foul odor, significant pain, or if the cat is not eating/appears apathetic. RED for large open wounds, suspected fever/sepsis, or if licking occurs secondary to acute pain (e.g., urinary tract obstruction, ATE) and other emergency signs are present.
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Definition
Increased personal hygiene (licking) in cats is a condition where a cat licks more frequently or intensely than normal to clean its fur or for other reasons that may indicate health or psychologicalPsychological refers to anything related to the mind or behavior. In veterinary medicine, this can include the study of animal behavior, including stress responses and behavioral disorders. issues.
Can Occur with the Following Diseases:
- Feline Lick Dermatitis (Skin Lesions Due to Constant Licking)
- Skin Allergies
- Atopic Dermatitis (Chronic Skin Inflammation Due to an Allergy)
- Cheyletiellosis Caused by Cheyletiella Mites (Parasitic Infection with Fur Mites, "Walking Dandruff")
- Demodicosis (Parasitic Skin Infection with Demodex Mites, Demodex Mange)
- Epididymitis and Orchitis (Swelling on the Testicles)
- Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, Twitchy Cat Disease (Nervous Twitching in Cats)
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis (Hypersensitivity to Flea Infestation)
- Feed allergy (Feed intolerance)
- Paraneoplastic Skin Syndrome (Skin changes related to cancer)
- Paronychia (Claw and Nail Bed Inflammation)
- Anxiety and Compulsive Disorders
- Hip Dysplasia, HD (Malformation of the Hip Joint)
- Neotrombicula Autumnalis Infestation (Harvest Mite Infestation)
- Sebaceous Adenitis (Inflammation of the Sebaceous Glands)
- Sarcoptic Mange (Parasitic Infection with Sarcoptes Mites)
Basics and possible causes
Cats typically spend a significant portion of their day on personal hygiene. This is normal behavior that serves to keep the coat clean and free of parasites, as well as for temperature regulation. However, increased personal hygiene can indicate underlying health or psychologicalPsychological refers to anything related to the mind or behavior. In veterinary medicine, this can include the study of animal behavior, including stress responses and behavioral disorders. problems.
A common cause of excessive licking is stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. or anxiety. Changes in the environment, such as moving to a new home, the introduction of a new pet or family member, or even just changes in the daily routine, can triggerA trigger is a stimulus that elicits a specific reaction or state. In veterinary medicine, this can refer to emotional responses, such as fear or aggression, or medical conditions, such as seizures in dogs and cats. stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. in cats. This stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. can manifest in the form of increased personal hygiene.
Another cause can be pruritus, an unpleasant itching of the skin that can be caused by allergies, parasites such as fleas or mites, or skin infections. Cats try to relieve the itching through intensive licking, which, however, can often lead to skin irritation or injuries.
Pain or discomfort, for example from arthritisArthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited mobility. There are many forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. or injuries, can also cause a cat to lick itself more frequently. In such cases, the licking often focuses on the affected part of the body.
Some cats show increased licking as a form of compulsive behavior, which can be triggered by boredom or frustration. This is particularly common in indoor cats that do not have enough stimulation.
Typical accompanying symptoms
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Skin irritation: Redness, swelling or wounds often occur in the areas where the cat licks intensely.
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Hair loss: Excessive licking can lead to bald spots in the coat, especially in the abdominalThe term "abdominal" refers to anything that concerns the belly or the abdomen. It is an adjectival expression used to describe the location, symptoms, or conditions that occur in the abdominal area. area, on the legs or on the flanks.
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Behavioral changes: The cat may appear restless or irritated, especially if it is suffering from itching or pain.
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Loss of appetite: In cases of severe stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. or physical discomfort, the cat’s appetite may be reduced.
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Increased meowing: A cat that feels unwell or has pain may meow more often to attract attention.
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Lethargy: If the increased licking is caused by an illness, the cat may also appear lethargic.
When to see a vet?
It is important to see a veterinarian if the increased licking persists for several days or if the cat’s skin appears inflamed or injured. A vet visit is also advisable if the cat shows other symptoms indicating pain, discomfort, or stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being., such as loss of appetite or behavioral changes.
If the increased personal hygiene is accompanied by visible weight loss, diarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems. or vomiting, a veterinarian should also be consulted immediately, as this may indicate more serious health problems.
Symptom recognition for the pet owner and veterinary diagnostic procedure
It is important for the pet owner to observe the frequency and intensity of their cat’s personal hygiene. Take note of when and how often the cat licks and whether there are specific triggers, such as stressful situations or changes in the environment.
The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination of the cat to look for signs of skin irritation, infections, or parasites. Blood tests, allergyAn allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance, the allergen. The reaction can include symptoms such as skin rash, itching, sneezing, respiratory distress, or in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. tests, or skin biopsies may also be required to identify underlying health problems.
In some cases, it may be necessary to conduct a behavioral analysis to determine if psychologicalPsychological refers to anything related to the mind or behavior. In veterinary medicine, this can include the study of animal behavior, including stress responses and behavioral disorders. factors such as stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. or compulsive behavior are playing a role. The veterinarian will also evaluate the cat’s living conditions to identify possible stressors.
What the pet owner can do and professional therapy options
As a pet owner, you can take measures to provide your cat with immediate relief. Ensure that your cat’s environment is quiet and avoid sudden changes that could triggerA trigger is a stimulus that elicits a specific reaction or state. In veterinary medicine, this can refer to emotional responses, such as fear or aggression, or medical conditions, such as seizures in dogs and cats. stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being..
Regular grooming with a soft comb can help remove loose hair and stimulate the skin, which can reduce itching. Make sure your cat is regularly dewormed and treated for fleas to prevent parasite infestation.
If you suspect that boredom is the cause of your cat’s behavior, try offering more opportunities for play and activity. Intelligence toys and regular playtimes can help challenge your cat mentally and physically.
If an allergyAn allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance, the allergen. The reaction can include symptoms such as skin rash, itching, sneezing, respiratory distress, or in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. is suspected, a change in diet may help. Discuss the possibility of a hypoallergenic diet or other dietary adjustments with your veterinarian.
In situations where stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. plays a role, calming supplements or pheromone products for cats can be useful. These can help lower your cat’s stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. levels and normalize behavior.
Outlook on current research
Research on increased licking in cats is currently focusing on understanding the behavioral causes as well as the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this symptom. Scientists have found that increased grooming can be an indicator of stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. or anxiety. Studies show that cats that lick excessively often exhibit an increase in cortisolCortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. It plays an important role in the body's stress response, as well as in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Cortisol also helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system. levels, which is an indicationIndication refers to a valid reason or rationale for using a specific treatment, medication, or medical procedure. It is based on the diagnosis and the patient's clinical condition. of elevated stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being.. Recent research is investigating the link between environmental factors, such as household changes or the introduction of new pets, and increased licking behavior.
Another research aspect lies in the area of genetic predispositionA predisposition is an innate inclination or susceptibility of an organism to certain diseases or conditions. In dogs and cats, there may be a genetic predisposition to certain conditions such as hip dysplasia or certain heart diseases.. Some cat breeds seem more prone to excessive grooming, suggesting that genetic factors could play a role. Researchers are currently investigating specific genes associated with compulsive behavior to identify possible genetic markers that could influence the behavior.
There are also studies looking into the role of neurotransmitters in the brain and their influence on licking behavior. In particular, serotonin, a neurotransmitterNeurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals from one neuron to the next across the synaptic cleft. They are essential for numerous functions of the nervous system, including mood, sleep, and motor skills. associated with mood regulation, is in focus. Some studies have shown that administering medications that affect serotonin levels can help reduce compulsive licking, supporting the hypothesis that chemical imbalances in the brain could play a role.
Current research is also intensively dealing with the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat this symptom. In addition to drug treatments, the effectiveness of behavioral therapies and environmental adaptations is also being investigated. InitialInitial means beginning or at the start. In medicine, it can refer to the first symptoms of a disease or the first phase of a treatment process. results suggest that a combination of therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. and environmental management could be more effective than individual approaches.
Additionally, the role of nutrition as a potential influencing factor on licking behavior is being explored. Some studies suggest that certain nutritional deficiencies or excesses could influence behavior. Nutritional interventions that balance the levels of certain nutrients are another focus of research with the aim of improving the well-being of cats and reducing the symptom.