March 26, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

Cats are known for being highly independent. This means most felines enjoy spending time by themselves as well as taking full responsibility for their grooming regimens. In most cases, owners only need to give their kitties baths with pet shampoo if they got into something dirty or sticky. However, if you've recently noticed that your cat has been grooming non-stop – leading to patches of hair loss, something more serious may be going on. 

In some cases the excessive grooming can be due to seasonal allergies, which can result in the cat's skin becoming extremely itchy. The feline will then lick, chew and bite the painful areas to try and stop the feelings of discomfort. Other times the grooming can be due to a food allergy or a flea infestation, while in other cases, the problem can stem from anxiety or stress.

The best way to figure out what is going on with your feline is to bring it to the vet's office for a full evaluation. Here, the vet can run certain tests to check for allergies or other issues like fleas or a problem with its diet. Once a diagnosis is made, the vet can suggest certain treatment options that will work to help your cat feel better.

If the issue stems from allergies including problems with mold, dander, dust or grass, the vet may recommend starting the feline on antihistamine pet drugs like Chlorpheniramine to reduce the effects of allergies. Slip the tables in Greenies Pill Pockets to make the cat think its simply getting a treat. It may also be beneficial to purchase topical anti-itch sprays such as Excel Hydrocortisone Spray to reduce the discomfort associated with skin irritation. This may help keep the cat from itching or biting its skin. Flea infestations can also cause a cat to itch, as many dogs and cats are allergic to fleas' saliva. If fleas are found to be the culprit behind your feline's excessive grooming, the vet will most likely have you start it on a monthly preventative medication like Revolution. If you have a dog in the home, you might want to start it on a flea protection medicine like Sentinel as well, as the parasites can easily jump from one animal to another. If your cat is suffering from a food allergy, you may want to start it on a new pet food with simple ingredients. Petcurean Go! Natural Grain Free Canned Cat Food is a suitable option as pet products like this contain real chunks of lean meat as well as essential vitamins and nutrients. 

Related posts:

1. When cats attack: the reasons behind sudden aggression
2. Reasons behind excessive drooling
3. Benefits of a grooming routine
4. Why does my kitty lick itself when I pet it?
5. What is miliary dermatitis?