Psychogenic alopecia

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A cat exhibiting psychogenic alopecia (excessive grooming). Resulting baldness is noticeable around the abdomen, flank, and legs.

Psychogenic alopecia, also called over-grooming or psychological baldness,[1][2] is a compulsive behavior that affects domestic cats. Generally, psychogenic alopecia does not lead to serious health consequences or a decreased lifespan.[1]

Causes

Grooming is a natural behavior for cats. Cats spend 5–25% of their waking hours grooming.

Environmental factors
suspected of causing over-grooming include flea allergy, boredom, food allergy, dust or pollen causing an allergic reaction, constipation and urinary tract infection caused by avoidance of a dirty litter tray, dermatitis, and anxiety caused by inconsistent meal times. Deprivation of sunlight could be the part of the problem for indoors only cats.

Symptoms

Areas affected are those the cat can access most easily, including the abdomen, legs, flank, and chest.[2]

  • Baldness, usually beginning with the abdomen.[1]
  • Obvious over-grooming (although some cats may only engage in the behavior in the absence of owners).[1]
  • Redness, rashes, pus, scabs on the bald area or areas traumatized by over-grooming.[1]
  • A highly irritable cat may even cut its face with the claw of its hind foot if over-zealously scratching the back of its head.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diseases and disorders of cats.
  1. ^ a b c d e "Over-grooming (Psychogenic Alopecia) in Cats". Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  2. ^ a b c d e Alice Moon-Fanelli. "Feline Compulsive Behavior" (PDF). Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  3. ^ a b "Cat Psychogenic Alopecia". Cathealth.com. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
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