Tips for Cat Owners
Cat Behavior Problems
Grooming Problems
 Is your cat licking excessively or licking odd things, or does he have thin spots in his fur or bare patches of skin? Some of the causes of this behavior may be illness, allergies or fleas. Or, your cat may be stressed, bored, hot, weaned too soon or becoming senile.
You should consult your veterinarian if your cat exhibits any of the following behaviors:
If the licking is causing a health problem, or if you suspect a health problem is causing excessive licking.
If your cat licks odd things such as walls or cement walks. He may be anemic.
As many as 35% of all cats have food allergies which can result in excessive licking. If you think this may be the case, non-allergenic cat foods are available.
Cats may have skin allergies that cause them to lick excessively. An allergic reaction to inhaled allergens may also cause this. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe medicine to help this condition.
Cats lick themselves a lot when they have fleas. Regular grooming with a flea comb may be enough to control the problem. If not, you can bathe your cat using flea shampoo or talk to your veterinarian about other options.
If your kitty is licking excessively, try to provide a quiet, undisturbed environment and give him a lot of love and attention. Never physically punish your cat for misbehavior - it creates a lot of stress.
A bored cat may lick excessively. If you can, get another cat or play with him more often.
Also, a cat that was weaned too early may lick excessively. You might be able to distract this cat by playing with him more often. The cat may always lick too much, but you may be able to redirect the licking to a soft piece of material.
If an older cat becomes senile, he may begin to lick excessively. It is best to increase his grooming with a comb or brush to cut down on the risk of hairballs.
Click on the appropriate category below:
Visit the links below for more tips on cat behavior
www.aspca.org
www.about.com/pets/cats
www.metrokc.gov/lars/animal/
www.ddfl.org/behavior/pica.htm
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