Psychogenic alopecia, or stress-induced overgrooming in cats, is a significant welfare concern that reflects underlying anxiety. Addressing root causes improves both physical and psychological wellbeing.
Overgrooming in cats is a visible manifestation of internal distress that owners often minimize or attribute to skin problems. The challenge is that cats groom privately and are masters at hiding discomfort, so by the time owners notice significant hair loss, the stress has often been chronic. True psychogenic overgrooming indicates a cat whose emotional needs are not being met - whether through insufficient environmental complexity, social conflict, or unresolvable stressors like outdoor cats creating perceived territorial threat. Addressing the cat's psychological wellbeing rather than just the symptom requires veterinary guidance, environmental modification, and sometimes anti-anxiety medication.