Some cats groom themselves to excess and in doing so damage their hair and skin. Cheap pet insurance policies don’t always offer cover for the treatment of behavioural problems, so when you get a pet insurance quote you may want to check that your policy includes behavioural problems such as excessive grooming.

A habit of excessive self-grooming could indicate an underlying medical condition, but it could also be a behavioural problem that develops as a result of anxiety. Although it is natural for cats to groom themselves, it is important to see excessive grooming as a warning sign to respond to.

According to a survey done in 2008 by the PFMA, 7% of people keep cats because they are easy to maintain. However, cats that take their self-maintenance to extremes can end up licking, nibbling, and even chewing at their hair and skin until they develop skin irritations. The rough texture of a cat’s tongue can make this problem even worse, leading to hair loss and skin inflammation wherever the cat has been obsessively grooming.

Some cats that develop this habit only do a little damage to their coat, but in some cases the effects can be extreme, leading to ulcers and thick scabs covering the majority of the animal’s body.

Although this fixation on cleaning is sometimes due to an underlying medical condition, in many cases stress is the cause. As cats are territorial, the introduction of a new member to the household can be extremely stressful. Whether this addition is a new cat, a new flat-mate or a new baby, your pet will have to readjust to alterations in the group dynamic, and may use grooming as part of this alteration process.

Separation anxiety can be another trigger for excessive grooming. Cats are well known for being independent, but this reputation isn’t always accurate. Some pets become extremely attached to their owners and suffer from acute separation anxiety when they are left alone. This anxiety could lead your cat to damage themselves with excessive grooming.

In addition to emotional factors such as these, excessive grooming can also be due to medical conditions such as parasites, fungal infections or allergic reactions. Before your pet can be treated, you need to know whether your cat’s excessive grooming is a response to an underlying medical condition, or if the excessive grooming has caused a medical condition. The best way to find out is to take your cat to a vet.

If the underlying cause is a behavioural issue, your vet may refer you to a specialist. Many pet insurance policies will provide up to £250 per period of insurance for the cost of specialist treatment. With the correct medical care it shouldn’t take long for your cat’s skin irritation to clear, leaving both you and your cat stress-free.