Cats Licking Belly Fur Off: Possible Causes & Solutions
Cats are incredibly clean creatures, which is why they groom themselves daily. However, if a cat licks its fur too frequently, to the point of balding its belly or other areas, pet owners should take notice. This could be a sign of skin infections, depression, or other abdominal health issues!
I. Reasons for Excessive Grooming in Cats
1. Skin Conditions
If your cat has bumps, swelling, or dandruff on its belly, it might be suffering from eczema, ringworm, mange, or possibly an allergy to certain substances.
2. Psychogenic Licking
Cats that are stressed, anxious, bored, or depressed may excessively groom themselves, particularly in areas like the belly and inner limbs. Negative emotions can drive them to lick these areas more frequently.
3. Internal Pain
Cats may lick their belly fur more often if they are experiencing pain due to abdominal diseases, such as cystitis, nephritis, or uterine inflammation, as they try to alleviate the discomfort.
II. Solutions
1. Prompt Examination
Take your cat to a veterinarian for skin scraping tests and abdominal ultrasounds to determine if it has a skin infection or abdominal organ inflammation. If it's a skin condition, it's often an allergic or bacterial eczema. Clean the area with saline solution, apply a zinc oxide ointment like Fu'antai, and use a medication like Xiuminuo (chlorpheniramine maleate) to block allergic reactions and relieve itching.
2. Wearing an Elizabethan Collar
To prevent further licking and severe hair loss, consider fitting your cat with a comfortable Elizabethan collar. Once the fur has regrown, assess your cat's specific situation to decide whether it needs to continue wearing it.
3. Increased Attention and Companionship
If the examination rules out skin or abdominal issues, your cat might be suffering from depression. Provide more attention and companionship, play with it regularly, and pet it gently. Offer engaging toys to keep it entertained when alone. Avoid loud noises and ensure a safe environment to prevent your cat from being startled.
4. Consider Medication
There are medications available to treat depression or help cats relax, such as gabapentin and pheromones. Cats with severe cases may benefit from these under veterinary guidance. For severe itching, oral antihistamines like Apok may be prescribed.
III. Preventing Hairballs
Cats that groom excessively can accumulate a lot of fur in their stomachs, which, if not properly digested, can lead to hairballs or even intestinal obstruction. To prevent this, regularly give your cat a small amount of cat grass or a hairball prevention gel to stimulate intestinal movement and ward off hairball issues.
