Over Grooming Cat Sores Treatment

Over grooming in cats is a stress reaction. When cats become upset or stressed, they seek comfort in grooming themselves, and excessive stress can cause excessive grooming. While over grooming typically only results in baldness, or alopecia, there are cases where the cat irritates or even ulcerates its skin. Treating these sores is an important part of keeping the cat healthy.

Considerations

Before sores from over grooming can be treated, it must first be ascertained that over-grooming is actually the problem. The symptoms of over grooming, including hair loss, skin irritation and ulcerated sores can also be attributed to parasites, food allergies or allergies to dust, pollen or mold. Other conditions that need to be ruled out include cystitis, hyperthyroidism and inflammation of anal sacs.

Identification

Identifying over grooming sores in cats is essential before treatment can begin. The cat may be put on a trial run of antibiotics to see if it can clear up any of the sores and, if antibiotics can, then over grooming is not the issue. Skin scrapings are used to rule out fungal infections and skin parasites, and a complete blood test may be conducted to rule out hyperthyroid issues. The veterinarian may also thoroughly flea comb the cat.

Elizabethan Collars

Elizabethan collars, which are also known as cone collars, maybe used to temporarily alleviate over grooming sores. These collars prevent the cat from reaching existing sores or creating new ones. While this is not a permanent solution, it can give existing sores a chance to heal.

Medications

If the sores from over grooming become infected, the veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo that will soothe the skin. Oral antibiotics may be used, and if the sores are badly infected, the oral antibiotics may need to be given for up to four months.

Prevention/Solution

Because over grooming can be chronic behavior in cats, prevention of future over grooming sores is an essential part of treatment. As over grooming is related to stress, identifying the cause of the cat's stress and eliminating it is essential. Similarly, feeding the cat on a schedule and in the same place can help reduce stress as well. Also make sure that the cat has plenty of toys to keep it stimulated, as boredom can also cause stress in a cat.