They don't lounge in the tub on Saturday nights or spend their paychecks on expensive shampoos, but cats -- and to a lesser degree, dogs -- love being clean. Several times each day, they lick and rub their coats, removing dirt and loose hairs until their fur is clean and shiny.
Some pets, however, take cleanliness a little too far. They will lick, rub, or bite their coats for hours at a time. Sometimes they get so absorbed in grooming that they lose interest in all the other fun things in life, like eating or going for walks. The constant licking can result in bare spots in the fur, and the skin may even get raw and sore.
This condition, as well as such things as endless tail-chasing, is known as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, says Nicholas Dodman, B.V.M.S. (bachelor of veterinary medical surgery, the Scottish equivalent of D.V.M.), director of the animal behavior clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts, and author of The Dog Who Loved Too Much. "Sensitive, anxious, and nervous pets seem more likely to develop obsessive-compulsive disorders," he says. "And if you breed a dog with this condition, her offspring have a better-than-average chance of also having it."
Pets usually develop this problem after stressful events, such as following a move or the arrival of another pet. It can also be caused by boredom. Pets that are alone all day sometimes groom themselves simply as a way of passing the time. This is especially common in Doberman pinschers, says Bob Maida, a dog trainer and behavior counselor in Manassas, Virginia. "Some dogs can't handle inactivity. They get stressed because they are alone all day. This can be hard for them because of their history as pack animals."
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is fortunately quite rare. But it is not the only reason that pets will sometimes groom themselves raw. Another, more common cause of excessive grooming is allergies. Many pets are allergic to fleas, pollen, and even certain foods, says James C. Blakemore, D.V.M., professor in the department of clinical sciences at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana. In fact, as much as one-third of all dogs and quite a few cats develop food allergies, he says.
Anything that irritates the skin, such as a burr or a splinter, can cause pets to lick and worry the area until the discomfort goes away, says Wayne Hunthausen, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Westwood, Kansas, who specializes in behavior problems.
Finally, there are a number of medical problems that can cause pets to groom themselves too often. Pets with arthritis or cancer sometimes get itchy and will lick themselves to get relief. A condition called hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces too little hormone, is a very common cause of itchy skin. In fact, many pets that lick their skin excessively have this condition, says Richard Rossman, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Glenview, Illinois. Changes in the coat's color or thickness are also signs of thyroid disease, he adds.
See Your Vet If...
- Your pet's coat is getting darker or thicker.
- There are bare patches in fur.
- Your pet is mainly grooming only in one spot.
- She is licking her whole body all the time.
- Your pet has begun growling at or biting people.
- He gets panicky in certain situations, such as during thunderstorms.
- He has started pressing his head against walls.
- Your pet is having accidents in the house.
- He is overly possessive of food or toys.
- You can't stop him from barking or meowing.
- Your pet's voice has changed.
- He gets obsessed with odd behaviors, like chasing his tail or biting his feet.
- He urinates when people approach.
- Your pet seems depressed or lethargic.
- He is constantly biting, scratching, or licking himself.
- He often stands with his legs wide apart or at an awkward angle.
- His back arches even when he is not frightened.
- He appears to be having seizures.
- Your pet hesitates to take orders.
- He growls during play.
- He hisses for no reason.
Next Steps:
Back to the Symptom Solver Main Page
Copyright 1999 Rodale Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
