3 Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD) in Cats
Cat Behavior & Training > Cat Behavior 101 > Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in Cats
Obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats come in several forms of behavior, and stem from several causes. In a study published by AVMA, environmental and social stress were found to be factors causing OCD in cats. Female cats were found to be more prone, and inbreeding of purebreds was a factor, particularly in Oriental breeds.
The study concluded that a combination of behavioral modification and medication may reduce the frequency and severity of OCD behavior. We will examine here in detail the most common forms of OCD in cats.
The most common cause of wool sucking is lack of early socialization by being taken away from the mother cat at a very early age. The cat's earliest pleasurable experience is suckling at his mother's teat. Even after weaning, the kitten may return to suckle as a form of "comfort behavior."
A cat removed from his mom at an early age tries to reproduce this experience by sucking on wool, his human's ear or finger, or another cat. Our Jaspurr left the nest at 6.5 weeks, and to this day finds comfort in sucking his own left foreleg. He will continue for several minutes, then carefully lick the area dry with his rough tongue when he is finished. He often performs this ritual in the evening, while resting partially on my lap, as I read or watch television.
While at first I was concerned that this habit might irritate the skin under his fur to the degree that it could become infected, I inspected the area frequently, and each time saw that the skin underneath was clean and dry.
On the other hand wool sucking may be harmless unless the cat starts ingesting the material. Veterinary intervention is necessary then.More »
It's an easily observable fact that cats quickly groom their coats when faced with stressful situations, embarrassment at having committed a cat blunder, such as knocking over a stool with a clumsy jump. However when the grooming continues long after the stressful situation is over, it enters the realm of psychogenic alopecia, as described here by Amy Shojai, CABC.
Since over-grooming can also stem from a real physical cause, it is important to first eliminate potential causes such as fleas, fungal infections, and allergies.
Amy covers everything from diagnosis to treatment, along with things you can do to lessen your cats' stress, which leads to psychogenic alopecia.More »
The critical difference between "normal crazy behavior" that most younger cats exhibit and feline hyperesthesia is that with the latter, the cat is actually in distress. It is also entirely possible that the stress the owner feels over these worrisome symptoms may be "telegraphed" back to the cat, thus exacerbating the problem.
One of the most notable symptoms of feline hyperesthesia is the noticeable "rippling skin" activity along the muscles of the back. This is often accompanied by racing around the house, stopping abruptly, and frantically biting at the skin on the back. Loud howling at night is also often a reported symptom.
Cat Behavior & Training > Cat Behavior 101 > Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in CatsMore »
Obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats come in several forms of behavior, and stem from several causes. In a study published by AVMA, environmental and social stress were found to be factors causing OCD in cats. Female cats were found to be more prone, and inbreeding of purebreds was a factor, particularly in Oriental breeds.
The study concluded that a combination of behavioral modification and medication may reduce the frequency and severity of OCD behavior. We will examine here in detail the most common forms of OCD in cats.
 in Cats: Wool Sucking and Chewing){kind=link}
Wool Sucking and Chewing
The most common cause of wool sucking is lack of early socialization by being taken away from the mother cat at a very early age. The cat's earliest pleasurable experience is suckling at his mother's teat. Even after weaning, the kitten may return to suckle as a form of "comfort behavior."
A cat removed from his mom at an early age tries to reproduce this experience by sucking on wool, his human's ear or finger, or another cat. Our Jaspurr left the nest at 6.5 weeks, and to this day finds comfort in sucking his own left foreleg. He will continue for several minutes, then carefully lick the area dry with his rough tongue when he is finished. He often performs this ritual in the evening, while resting partially on my lap, as I read or watch television.
While at first I was concerned that this habit might irritate the skin under his fur to the degree that it could become infected, I inspected the area frequently, and each time saw that the skin underneath was clean and dry.
On the other hand wool sucking may be harmless unless the cat starts ingesting the material. Veterinary intervention is necessary then.More »
 in Cats: How to Stop Cat Over-Grooming){kind=link}
How to Stop Cat Over-Grooming
It's an easily observable fact that cats quickly groom their coats when faced with stressful situations, embarrassment at having committed a cat blunder, such as knocking over a stool with a clumsy jump. However when the grooming continues long after the stressful situation is over, it enters the realm of psychogenic alopecia, as described here by Amy Shojai, CABC.
Since over-grooming can also stem from a real physical cause, it is important to first eliminate potential causes such as fleas, fungal infections, and allergies.
Amy covers everything from diagnosis to treatment, along with things you can do to lessen your cats' stress, which leads to psychogenic alopecia.More »
 in Cats: Feline Hyperesthesia aka ){kind=link}
Feline Hyperesthesia aka "Rippling Skin Disorder"
The critical difference between "normal crazy behavior" that most younger cats exhibit and feline hyperesthesia is that with the latter, the cat is actually in distress. It is also entirely possible that the stress the owner feels over these worrisome symptoms may be "telegraphed" back to the cat, thus exacerbating the problem.
One of the most notable symptoms of feline hyperesthesia is the noticeable "rippling skin" activity along the muscles of the back. This is often accompanied by racing around the house, stopping abruptly, and frantically biting at the skin on the back. Loud howling at night is also often a reported symptom.
Cat Behavior & Training > Cat Behavior 101 > Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in CatsMore »
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