Cat Feline Hyperaesthesia Syndrome

Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome is a poorly understood condition causing cats to display rippling skin, self-directed aggression, and episodes of extreme sensitivity, significantly affecting welfare.

Key Facts

Feline hyperaesthesia syndrome (FHS) presents as rolling skin, tail chasing, self-mutilation, and vocalisations.
The cause is not fully understood; proposed mechanisms include neuropathy, OCD, and epileptiform activity.
Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian, and Persian cats may be predisposed to the condition.
Episodes can be triggered by touch along the back, stress, or spontaneously.
Skin parasites, dermatitis, and spinal pain should be ruled out before diagnosing FHS.

Welfare Considerations

Cats with FHS experience episodes of apparent distress, self-directed aggression, and compulsive behaviour that represent genuine suffering. The condition can be debilitating in severe cases. Management requires thorough investigation to rule out medical causes including fleas, allergies, and spinal disease, followed by behavioural and pharmaceutical intervention tailored to the individual. Stress reduction, environmental enrichment, and in some cases anticonvulsant or anti-anxiety medication improve quality of life.

What You Can Do

Consult a veterinary dermatologist and neurologist if your cat shows skin-rolling or self-mutilation.
Implement rigorous parasite control as flea allergy can trigger or worsen FHS episodes.
Keep a video diary of episodes to show your vet, helping with accurate diagnosis.
Reduce environmental stressors including conflict with other cats and sudden routine changes.
Ask about referral to a veterinary behaviourist or neurologist for complex or severe cases.