Companion Animals

Cat Compulsive Grooming Welfare

Compulsive grooming in cats causing hair loss (psychogenic alopecia) is driven primarily by stress and anxiety, with environmental modification addressing the underlying cause.

Key Facts

Psychogenic alopecia causes over-grooming leading to hair loss on accessible body areas
Stress from multicat conflict, environmental change, and inadequate territory drives the condition
Underlying medical causes including allergies must be excluded before diagnosing psychogenic cause
Environmental enrichment and conflict resolution often resolve symptoms without medication
Anxiolytics including fluoxetine may be required for severe cases

Welfare Considerations

Compulsive grooming indicates significant ongoing stress. Addressing environmental causes is more effective than medication alone and prevents the suffering driving the behaviour.

What You Can Do

Investigate and reduce stressors including multicat conflict and environmental change
Provide adequate territory, resources, and predictable routine for stressed cats
Rule out medical causes with your vet before diagnosing psychogenic alopecia
Discuss anxiolytic medication with your vet for severe cases resistant to environmental modification