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01:33

5 Medical Reasons Your Cat May Be Overgrooming

Licking excessively can signal your cat has a medical issue, an allergy, or stress and anxiety.

Lauren Smith, MAGhanasyam Bey, DVM
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Ghanasyam Bey, DVM
Updated on April 15, 2025

Cats spend a lot of their waking hours grooming themselves. Your cat may be licking too much if they are leaving bald spots, or if they seem fixated on certain spots. In this video, learn possible causes of overgrooming in cats.

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References

Cornell Feline Health Center. (n.d.). Cats that lick too much.

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Litchfield, C.A., et al. (2017). The ‘Feline Five’: An exploration of personality in pet cats (Felis catus). PLoS One.

Lundgren, B. (2020). Hairballs (trichobezoars) in cats. Veterinary Information Network.

Maciorakowski, L. Overgrooming cats. MSPCA Angell. 

Moriello, K.A. (2020). Alopecia in animals. Merck Manuals. 

Noel, A.C. (2018). Cats use hollow papillae to wick saliva into fur. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

Weir, M., et al. Anal sac disease in cats. VCA Animal Hospitals. 

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