compulsive licking

XcazzX

hi i was wondering if you have any ideas on how else i can help my cat. She is 4yrs old & over the last year she has started to lick herself to the stage where she makes her skin red & it don't take her long (she can make herself a bald patch approx inch x inch in about 10mins) she is clear of fleas (but i think that is what started it) & at this moment in time is wearing a "funnel" (the cone that go round the head) & she still lick she's not licking the coat but the inside of the funnel (she can get to her coat sometimes but nowhere near as much as she used to) I have tried nateral & chemical flea control (i prefer nateral but chemical seems to work better)
I may sound silly but could she of got some sort of o.c.d? (is that even possable for a cat?) I'm really starting to worried , family & friends say not to because she is happy full of bounce but she is one of my babies & im worried for her, I know as soon as I take the funnel off she will be bald agian!
If you need any more info please let me know. Thank you for your time. Cazz

_Jules_

Hiya.....Cats can become compulsive about things and their habits can become a form of stress relief. The compulsion can in it's self become stressful, because they then feel constantly compelled to perform the habit.

Unfortunately, once these things have started they are very difficult to stop. Keeping her from licking herself, although it keeps her from self harming, only increases the stress and the desired to perform the habit.

It doesn't seem to matter to a cat if you put a disgusting flavoured substance on their coats, as they will still endevour to lick it off, so I wouldn't try that.

Maybe she needs a more stimulating enviroment to keep her occupied (she may have this already though Wink

). Try getting her to play.... Get some new catnip toys...perhaps cut some cat sized holes out of a big box so she can dive in and out of it, playing hide and seek.

Let her have a little wash without the funnel on, then distract her, perhaps with a long piece of string...anything... to take her mind off the desire to lick.

Perhaps even try Bachs Rescue Remedy (you can get it in any supermarket or chemists), just a few drops on a treat will help to calm her.

Good luck...and have patience...these things take time to break the habit Wink

.

Jules.
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Jules and the Ark

jenvetnurse

This is a common problem - it does need to be looked into and addressed.

This compulsive licking is either psychological or physical - due to itchy skin.

Your cat may have a flea allergy - one simple bite from a flea can trigger a response that matches your cats behaviour.
Only Veterinary flea products work safely and completely.

My advice is to treat thoroughly for fleas + spray the home too.

If the itching/licking continues once there are no fleas you need to get advice from your vet - she may neeed a drug to calm and reassure her -persian cats typically suffer from this problem.

I would not allow her to have 'a little wash' as this is extremely frustrating and confusing for your cat to have the collar off then on again.

I would also try Feliway - this is a drug free pheremone spray which does calm cats down and gives them confidence - it will help her if this grooming if stress related.

This licking leading to self mutilation is upsetting for you and your cat.
Please seek advice from your vet if Feliway + getting rid of all fleas does not solve the problem.

Good luck.

jenvetnurse

The Ask The Nurse Forums are to be answered by a Veterinary Nurse/Surgeon.

If you answer and are not qualified please state this before your advice.

This is incase your advice is inaccurate.

Thanks.

XcazzX

thank you ! It is a huge relief to know that this happens to others & not just to my cat. I will try the fleiway & keep you updated on her progress. thanks agian Razz

_Jules_