As a rule, the average cat spends 30 to 50% of its time licking its fur.
But sometimes grooming takes longer than it should and thus becomes obsessive. There are even situations when it results in bald spots and skin damage.
Reasons for increased licking
A variety of factors can contribute to this behavior, including parasitic infestation, dermatitis, skin trauma, or neurological disorder.
Pathological conditions should be dealt with by a veterinarian.
If the professional does not find any of the above, it is possible that the excessive licking is caused by a behavioral disorder.
The thing is that licking the fur helps the cat cope with stress, so this behavior can be associated with frequent emotional upheavals of the animal.
These include moving, the arrival of a new family member or pet, separation from the owner, renovations, etc.
All of the above “phenomena” can provoke constant licking, which sometimes lasts for several hours in a row.
If this problem is ignored, the neurosis can worsen and lead to self-harm, such as licking the skin until it bleeds and pulling out fur.
Previously, we talked about how to determine a cat’s age at home.
