My cat is over grooming herself.

WantToBeSE

Hi.
I have made an appt for my cat at the vets for Monday morning, but am just wondering if i could get any info from you guys in the meantime.

My cat seems to be constantly over grooming herself- licking herself pretty much ALL the time, apart from when asleep.
Her food hasn't changed, neither has her food etc.
As well as that, she is constantly craving attention and miaowing at he and purring at me.

She is 8 years old, has been neutured (so cant be pregnant) and is otherwise in really good health, never had any problems with her.

A few new cats have moved into the area, and they are riddled with fleas- now my cat has come home with fleas for the 1st time in quite a while- could the fleas be what's causing this?

(I have already ordered acclaim and frontline to treat the house and cat).

Fire_Fox

Yes fleas can cause severe dermatitis. Are you not treating her regularly anyway if she is allowed outdoors? Have you tried a flea comb or can you see any flea dirt in her white bits (if she has any) or feel any little scabs in her fur? IMO get products from your vet that covers fleas, all types of worms and ear mites because if she has one there is every chance she has another.

WantToBeSE

Thank you Firefox for the reply.
yes, i treat her with frontline, but to be honest, i dont think its working anymore (is that even possible?) as she now has fleas despite the treatment.
Is there another (better) treatment for fleas that anyone would recommend?

Fire_Fox

Fleas can be resistant to Frontline: the vet can prescribe Advocate. I *think* but this cannot be used within four weeks of previous treatment, when did you Frontline her last and have you been doing it religiously every four weeks? Are you flea combing her daily? Would she tolerate a bath?

WantToBeSE

I frontlined her only 2 weeks ago, but i will wait until 2 weeks have passed and then get the vet to prescribe it.
Yes, i have been doing it religiously every 4 weeks, without fail. I havent been flea combing her though as its such a battle (as soon as she sees the comb, she rund away).
No, she wouldnt tolerate a bath at all!

Fire_Fox

IMO since you have made an appointment go to the vet now then de-flea in two weeks, whilst this could well be flea dermatitis there is a chance it is something else which needs diagnosing and treating. It's unfair to leave her grooming every waking minute for another two weeks, it could become an ingrained habit or if she breaks the skin you could also have an infection to deal with. The vet nurse or a professional groomer may be able to bathe her if that is what the vet recommends, the vet can supply a light sedative if needs be. Alternatively they may prescribe her an antihistamine or corticosteroid to stop the itching.

Thoroughly treating your home will help, but be aware you need to do every corner and crevice, hard floors, carpets, beds and sofas. Sometimes it works out cheaper to get the professionals in - some councils offer this service.

Mrs_Z

We had an overgrooming issue with one of ours. I never noticed her over grooming until I realised her lower tummy was bold! Anyway, to the vets we went and he gave her an injection (some sort of steroid I think) and said to come back I think in 6 weeks if it didn't work. It didn't, so we went back for another one - and that did the trick. I never discovered what the reason for it was. Very common though according to the vet.

Rev

My boy started over grooming a while back. Was on steroids for ages, soon as they stopped, the over grooming started again.

Did some research and changed his food to grain free, he stopped. He has flare ups if he gets stressed but they are few and far between. And usually stop after a day.

Might be irrelevant, but worth thinking about.

Defo try something else if you think frontline isn't doing the trick. Strong hold is good too.

Alikay

My cat also over-grooms as a reaction to stress: A couple of times, the local cats have become a bit power-crazy and started invading her territory - sitting on our doormat coming into our garden, and a couple of times actually entering the house :eek:.

When this happens she becomes nervy, stays close to us and starts the extreme grooming routine. We have to use a Buster collar, and the vet usually prescribes steroid tablets and an ointment to speed healing. I also chase off the cats which come on our garden using a small water spray (discreetly of course - people can be a bit narky about you squirting their cat:D)

Could there be a bit of bullying going on amongst the local cats, OP, seeing as there are a few new ones trying to establish territory?

WantToBeSE

Thanks for all of the advice guys.
Yes, i think it could be stress too, as the huge male cat that has moved nearby has obviously not been 'done' and keeps pestering her.
I am going to buy a flea collar and some acclaim today, and see what the vet has to say tomorrow.

SnowyOwl_2

My girl Tabitha came to me when she was seven years old, and immediately started to overgroom herself. That continued for months and months - she had a little pink bald belly. The vet said just to leave it as it wasn't inflammed. Anyway, after we had moved house I decided to give up smoking. And what do you know.....Tabitha's stress disappeared and her belly hair grew back. It was the cigarette smoke that was stressing her. (Her "smoker's cough" also disappeared...I feel so guilty.)

The couple next door had a three black cats, and one of them started to overgroom and make herself bald. Eventually it came to light that the couple hadn't been getting on and so there was always a tense atmosphere, which kitty picked up on and became stressed herself and thus overgroomed. This was cured by the ignormous of a man getting the heave ho.

So....while there are of course physical reasons for overgrooming, there can also be psychological reasons, ie stress. It can be something indirect even something as inocuous as a new piece of furniture. I would suggest a Feliway diffuser, and a think about what might have changed in your cat's environment which to her might be traumatic. (It might just be that there are new kitties around, and she doesn't like them much).