It can be heartbreaking to see your furry feline friend constantly scratching themselves raw. Excessive scratching and licking can lead to bald patches, open wounds, and even dangerous infections. As a caring cat owner, you want to understand why this behavior is happening and how to help your cat stop injuring themselves.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top reasons for compulsive cat scratching and effective solutions to stop the suffering. With some detective work, patience, and targeted care, you can get to the root cause and restore your cat’s health and happiness.
Common Causes of Excessive Cat Scratching
There are several possible explanations for non-stop scratching and licking in cats. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Allergies
Just like humans, cats can develop allergic reactions to things in their environment. Allergies to food ingredients, litter, dust mites, pollen, and more can cause severe skin irritation and itchiness. Cats may obsessively lick or scratch at their skin to find relief, eventually causing hair loss, scabs, and open sores if left untreated.
Fleas
Flea infestations are a prime suspect with itchy cats. Flea bites cause inflammation and irritation. Cats feel the need to scratch, lick, and bite at their skin in response. Just one flea can multiply into an full-blown infestation. Check your cat’s skin closely for signs of fleas or flea dirt.
Stress
Stress from changes in environment, routine, or relationships can manifest physically in cats. Anxiety from stressful situations can cause cats to overgroom. Cats may excessively lick, chew, or scratch at their skin, sometimes creating bald spots or wounds. Identifying and minimizing stressors can help.
Boredom
Lack of stimulation can lead to destructive scratching habits. Without adequate playtime and environmental enrichment to satisfy their predatory instincts, cats may resort to excessive grooming and scratching to occupy themselves. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys, cat trees, and playtime.
Skin Infections
Bacterial or fungal skin infections like ringworm cause irritation, itching, and discomfort. As cats scratch and lick the infected areas, it spreads the infection further. Skin infections require diagnosis and treatment by a vet to resolve the contagious problem.
Parasites
Skin parasites like mange and mites burrow into a cat’s skin and cause severe itching and skin irritation. Cats scratch themselves raw trying to relieve the itch. Diagnostic tests and medications are needed to eliminate mites and mange.
Psychological Issues
Psychogenic alopecia is a psychological condition where cats compulsively lick themselves bald due to stress or anxiety. This obsessive overgrooming behavior requires behavior modification training and environmental changes to overcome.
Pain
Cats often hide signs of pain and illness. Excessive scratching or licking can signal an underlying health issue or injury causing discomfort. Any area of persistent scratching warrants a veterinary exam to diagnose and treat the source of pain.
How to Stop Compulsive Cat Scratching
Once you identify what’s causing your cat’s scratching, you can take targeted action to resolve the problem. Here are some effective ways to stop compulsive cat scratching:
Address Medical Issues
If the excessive scratching stems from allergies, infections, parasites, or other medical problems, seek veterinary care for diagnosis and treatment. Your vet can provide medications, antibiotic therapy, anti-itch drugs, or medicated baths to soothe skin and resolve medical triggers.
Flea Control
Eliminate fleas ASAP if they are the culprit. Use prescription strength flea prevention medications. Thoroughly vacuum and wash all fabrics. Use flea combs and baths to remove all life stages of fleas on your cat. Stopping the itch at the source is key.
Reduce Stress
Minimize environmental stressors to help anxious cats. Keep litter boxes clean. Use synthetic feline pheromones to calm cats. Offer hiding spots and vertical territory. Maintain routines for feeding, play, and sleep. Introduce changes gradually. Consult a vet about anti-anxiety medications if needed.
More Playtime
Bored cats need more interactive playtime and mental stimulation. Engage your cat in active play with wands, laser pointers, puzzle toys, and catnip. Set up enriching environments with cat trees, scratchers, and perches. Rotate toys to keep things interesting. Meet their instinctual needs.
Protect Sores
To help wounds heal, use Elizabethan collars, bandages, or recovery suits to prevent licking and scratching. This allows skin to recover without further irritation. Ensure collars are comfortable and monitored.
Anti-Itch Medications
Vets can provide oral or topical medications to relieve itching and inflammation. These may include antihistamines, steroids, antibiotics, antifungals, cyclosporine, or others. Follow directions closely and finish the full course of treatment.
Nutritional Solutions
Your vet may recommend prescription hydrolyzed protein diets or limited ingredient diets to resolve food allergies. Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce inflammation. Always gradually transition food.
Behavior Modification
For psychogenic scratching, work on behavior modification. Use toys, play, and praise to reward and reinforce healthy behavior. Distract and redirect scratching. Limit stress. Consider synthetic pheromones, training, or medication.
Environmental Changes
Cats have unique environmental needs. Provide appropriate scratching posts. Use cat-friendly cleaning products. Control noise and foot traffic. Offer private, elevated resting spots. Keep their environment consistent and calm.
Increase Grooming
Gently brushing or petting cats can satisfy their grooming urge. Use soft brushes and positive reinforcement. Regularly grooming cats removes loose hair and redistributes beneficial skin oils. Just go with the fur growth and keep sessions short.
When to See the Vet
While scratching and licking are normal cat behaviors, excessive self-trauma is not. Consult your veterinarian if your cat shows any of these signs:
- Constant scratching, licking, chewing, or biting at their skin
- Bald patches, scabs, open sores, or wounds from scratching
- Scratching at the same area repeatedly
- Signs of skin infection like redness, swelling, odor
- Evidence of parasites like fleas or mitesExcessive flaking or dandruff
- Loss of fur or thinning coat
- Bleeding from excessive scratching or licking
- Changes in behavior like anxiety or aggression
- Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
- Constant licking or chewing at paws
- Rubbing face against objects
- Skin that is painful, sensitive, or hot to the touch
- Hair loss in specific patterns (signs of ringworm)
- Weight loss, appetite changes, or lethargy
While you may be able to resolve mild scratching at home through environmental changes, severe or chronic scratching requires professional veterinary attention. The sooner the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated, the sooner your cat can heal and stop suffering.
When to Consider Medication
In severe cases of obsessive cat scratching and self-mutilation, medication may be necessary alongside other treatment approaches. Your vet may prescribe medication if your cat shows:
- No improvement from environmental changes alone
- Skin damage from excessive, unrelenting scratching
- Obsessive, compulsive scratching habits
- Signs of psychological distress like anxiety or fear
- Secondary skin infections from trauma
- A diagnosed condition requiring medication, like allergies
Some medications that may help stop compulsive cat scratching include:
- Steroids – Reduce inflammation and itching
- Antihistamines – Control allergic reactions
- Antibiotics – Treat secondary skin infections
- Antifungals – Clear up fungal infections
- Parasiticides – Eliminate mites, mange
- Immunosuppressants – Used for severe allergies
- Antidepressants – For anxiety related scratching
- Synthetic pheromones – Reduce stress
Medication can provide fast relief of symptoms while allowing other interventions to address the root problem. Always follow your veterinarian’s dosage instructions carefully. Report any side effects or lack of improvement promptly. Most cats require medication alongside other treatment approaches to fully stop the scratching cycle.
Home Remedies to Soothe Irritated Skin
While home remedies cannot cure the underlying cause of excessive scratching, they can sometimes provide temporary relief for irritated skin. Discuss trying these natural treatments with your vet:
- Oatmeal baths – Soothe inflamed skin
- Chamomile rinses – Reduce itching
- Aloe vera gel – Heal wounds
- Calendula rinses – Anti-inflammatory
- Coconut oil – Moisturize dry skin
- Cold compresses – Shrink swollen areas
Be sure to monitor your cat closely when using home remedies to ensure they don’t lick or ingest anything harmful. Stop using anything that seems to further irritate your cat’s skin. While these natural treatments may temporarily relieve discomfort, they cannot fix the underlying problem causing the scratching.
When to Consider Alternative Medicine
For cats who don’t respond sufficiently to conventional treatment, alternative medicine approaches may provide additional relief from compulsive scratching. Some options to discuss with your vet include:
- Acupuncture – Corrects energy imbalances
- Homeopathy – Uses natural plant and mineral extracts
- Probiotics – Support healthy skin microbiome
- Essential oils – Relieve inflammation
- Omega-3 supplements – Reduce skin irritation
- Melatonin – Eases anxiety
Always consult a qualified practitioner experienced in using these therapies safely with cats. While alternative medicine can enhance quality of life, it should not replace conventional veterinary
treatment when needed. Monitor your cat closely for any adverse reactions when introducing new therapies. Work closely with your vet to determine if a complementary approach may benefit your cat’s condition.
When to Consider Surgery
In the most severe cases of intractable cat scratching, surgery may be a last resort option. Reasons your vet may recommend surgery include:
- Failure of all other treatments to stop scratching
- Severe, recurrent skin infections
- Large wounds that won’t heal
- Deep tissue damage from trauma
- Need for skin grafts to heal damaged areas
- Growths or masses causing irritation
- Embedded foreign material in skin
Possible surgical procedures include:
- Biopsies – Diagnose underlying problems
- Debridement – Remove damaged tissue
- Skin grafts – Heal open wounds
- Tumor removal – Eliminate masses
- Amputation – For severe limb wounds
- Joint fusion – Reduce pain from arthritis
- Tendonectomy – Sever itch-scratch nerve pathway
Surgery is invasive and may require intensive aftercare. Ensure your cat avoids licking or scratching the surgical site during recovery. Discuss all the risks and benefits thoroughly with your vet before considering surgery for compulsive cat scratching issues.
When to Consider Rehoming
In the rare, worst-case scenario that you’ve exhausted all options without successfully stopping your cat’s traumatic scratching, rehoming may be kindest choice. Consider rehoming if:
- Scratching remains severe despite all treatments
- Cost of care exceeds your means
- Scratching stems from stress in your home
- Your cat’s safety is at risk
- You can no longer meet your cat’s needs
- Your living situation changes drastically
Rehoming is a last resort after ruling out and addressing all medical and behavioral causes. Choose an experienced cat rescue to screen applicants carefully. Explain your cat’s history fully. Be sure the new home is fully equipped to continue treatment needed. Follow up to ensure a successful transition. Rehoming should only be considered when it’s truly in your cat’s best interest.
Preventing Scratching Problems
While you cannot always prevent scratching issues, you can take proactive steps to avoid compulsive scratching and licking:
- Choose hypoallergenic cat breeds if allergies are a concern
- Feed high-quality limited ingredient cat food
- Groom regularly to prevent matting and remove dirt
- Keep claws trimmed to minimize damage from scratching
- Use monthly flea and tick prevention
- Sanitize litter boxes frequently
- Clean bedding and fabrics weekly
- Diffuse calming pheromones
- Minimize changes to home and routine
- Ensure plenty of playtime, toys and enrichment
- Avoid overcrowding if multi-cat home
- Get annual wellness exams to catch problems early
While not always foolproof, proactive care goes a long way in supporting your cat’s skin health and quality of life. Consult your vet at the first signs of excessive scratching or licking to address the issue promptly. With vigilance and early intervention, you can help your cat avoid the misery of compulsive scratching.
Give Your Cat the Care They Deserve
Seeing your beloved cat constantly scratch, lick, and bite themselves is heart wrenching. While the urge to scratch is natural for cats, excessive self-trauma is not normal or healthy. With some patience and targeted TLC, you can get to the bottom of the issue and help your cat heal
Here are some final tips for caring for a cat with compulsive scratching issues:
- Be patientand understanding. It can take time to find the underlying cause and develop an effective treatment plan.
- Work closely with your veterinarian. They are your best resource for diagnosing and treating your cat’s scratching issues. They can help you explore all possible causes and recommend appropriate treatments.
- Consider alternative therapies. In addition to traditional medical treatments, there may be alternative therapies that can help manage your cat’s scratching issues. These can include acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal remedies, and behavioral therapy.
- Provide a safe and stress-free environment. Cats can be sensitive to changes in their environment, so it’s important to create a calm and stable living space for them. Minimize any sources of stress, such as loud noises, aggressive animals, or frequent visitors.
- Keep up with regular veterinary check-ups. Even if your cat’s scratching issues have improved, it’s important to continue monitoring their health. Regular check-ups can catch any potential problems early on and ensure that your cat is receiving the best possible care.
- Remember, every cat is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of treatments and management strategies for your cat. But with patience, love, and proper veterinary care, you can help your cat find relief from compulsive scratching and improve their overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Cats with compulsive scratching issues require careful and proactive care to improve their quality of life. This includes maintaining a clean litter box, regularly cleaning bedding and fabrics, providing a stress-free environment, and ensuring plenty of playtime and enrichment. It is important to consult with a veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause and develop an effective treatment plan. Alternative therapies may also be considered. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to monitor the cat’s health and catch any potential problems early on. With patience, love, and proper care, cats with compulsive scratching can find relief and improve their overall well-being.