Behavioral overgrooming, also known as psychogenic alopecia. Most commonly, this is due to stress or anxiety, which may be short-term or long-term. Triggers can include changes in the household, noises such as thunderstorms, or even a change in a pet parent's schedule.
Cats that are bonded sometimes show sweet displays of affection toward each other, like grooming. They'll lick and bite each other, clean the other's fur, and spend a lot of time making sure the other cat is purrrfectly clean. This type of grooming is a good sign—it means your cats are friends.
Cats use grooming to express their relationship to other cats between each other. For example, in a group of wild cats, some may groom others to show they are closer than other members of the same colony. In a home setting, your cats may be telling each other that they trust and respect one another.
Behavioral over-grooming, otherwise known as “psychogenic alopecia,” is a form of stress-relief for many cats. However, this is a diagnosis of exclusion after all the potential underlying medical causes have been ruled out. Medical causes that may lead a cat to over-groom are usually those that make the cat feel itchy.
The majority of cases of over-grooming in cats are initially caused by a skin or pain problem. However, it is commonly suggested that most cases also have a stress component. Cats frequently use behaviour such as grooming, to make themselves feel better during stressful situations or when they are anxious.
Cats may also aggressively groom other cats or kittens since it's a form of tactile communication between felines. 2 This is known as allogrooming, which occurs when two cats groom each other. In some cases, cats will groom felines as a way to redirect hostility and prevent a fight from escalating.
Over grooming or other repetitive behaviors – Cats who are suffering from boredom may repeatedly lick themselves, chew/bite at their skin, or pull out their fur. The irritation that results from this behavior can cause them to continue to over-groom, creating an ongoing loop of frustrating behavior.
Cats typically spend between 30 and 50 percent of their day grooming themselves, says Pamela Perry, D.V.M., resident in animal behavior at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Camuti Consultant with the Cornell Feline Health Center. "It's a huge chunk of their day," she says.
Bonding isn't the only reason cats groom each other—at least in outdoor colonies. Allogrooming is important for survival. Aiding in the removal of fleas, ticks, and other life-threatening parasites.
Simple dominance will be exhibited by a cat by marking or spraying urine on territory, stealing and hoarding toys, rubbing its face on items it wants to claim as its own, claiming specific areas to sleep, pushing other cats away from the food bowl, and/or starting at or physically intimidating other cats.
Overstimulation. When a cat feels it's being pet or groomed for too long, they gradually become overstimulated. All the energy that has been built up needs to go somewhere, so after one cat bites the other, a fight often ensues. Since cats only groom people and fellow cats they like, it will rarely be a real fight.
Cats that get along, and tend to feel that they are part of a same social group, will: Raise and hold their tails straight up when they see each other. Rub against each other, when walking along or passing by. Play gentle, “fake fighting” games together and will share their toys.
If your cats' bodies are relaxed or their ears are pointed forward, they're likely just playing. If your cats flatten their ears, hold their ears back, or puff up their fur or tails, this is a sign that they're fighting, not playing.
Do cats lick to show dominance? If the licking ever seems aggressive, it's not your imagination. Cats living in the same household may be intent on showing who's the boss, and that can be demonstrated by cleaning another cat.
Can Cats Get Jealous of Other Cats? Jealousy over the presence of another cat is very common. All cats have different personalities, and some will be made insecure and display jealousy more easily than others. It is important to watch your cat and observe their cues and triggers.
You'll know your cat is happy if they show affection to you and want to interact with you. A content kitty loves scritches, snuggles, head boops, and lap sits. Every cat is different, of course, and some prefer to lay near you rather than on you. In general, though, a happy cat shows it by being close to their human.
Cats can be social, compassionate and incredibly loving. And what this means is that without regular interaction or stimulation, they can easily become lonely; in some cases even a little sad.
Often times, the dominant cat in the household will groom the others as a way of reinforcing his position in the hierarchy.
However, your cat can absolutely form a strong emotional bond with another cat, and they can even become BFFs — which you probably already know if you have two cats who spend all their time together. Bonded cats sleep and play together and groom each other.
This can be a pleasure thing or a dominance thing. Some cats will do this because they like to… and will do it to other cats, stuffed animals, dogs, etc. If it doesn't bother your other cat – then maybe it is not worth worrying about. Make sure the cat doing this behavior has plenty of playtime, toys, and stimulation.
Cats typically spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, but excessive amounts of licking, biting, chewing, or scratching may mean that your cat's self-grooming habits have become problematic. If your cat is licking too much, they can lose fur in strips along their back, belly, or inner legs.
Less Stress and Anxiety
Grooming can help reduce stress levels in cats who suffer from anxiety-related behaviors, such as excessive meowing or scratching furniture.
The good news is that most cats like being brushed and groomed. Even so, here's how to acclimate them to the brushing routine: Get comfy: To start, make sure your cat is comfortable and receptive to being touched. Stroke their fur for a bit to make sure they're not “in a mood.”