Feline hyperesthesia syndrome causes episodes of intense skin sensitivity and compulsive self-directed behavior that remain poorly understood but cause significant welfare harm.
Cats experiencing FHS episodes show signs of genuine distress - vocalizing, self-attacking, and fleeing from their own skin. The unpredictable nature of episodes means affected cats live with a degree of chronic tension and owners cannot predict when the next event will occur. The welfare approach requires systematic investigation of underlying causes before empirical treatment, as managing the superficial behavior without identifying a treatable cause fails the affected cat.