How To Stop A Cat From Licking Its Fur Off
Licking is a normal behavior in cats, but it can become an issue if your pet keeps licking off its own fur. The most common reason for a cat to lick itself excessively is fleas or other pests. If you notice that your cat’s coat is thinning or falling out and it has been grooming itself regularly, then you should check for fleas and ticks. Another cause of excessive grooming could be allergies or food intolerance issues that are making your kitty itch. In these cases, you should also consult with your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the behavior change before trying any solutions on this list.
Rule out medical causes.
Before you start applying remedies, make sure that the licking isn’t caused by a medical condition. A cat with parasites, fleas or mites may lick often because they are itchy. If the licks are accompanied by other symptoms (like weeping eyes or hair loss), your vet will be able to diagnose and treat the issue.
If your vet hasn’t found anything wrong, then it might be time to try some home remedies.
Determine what’s causing the licking.
If your cat is licking its fur, it’s important to figure out what’s causing the behavior. Licking can be caused by a variety of issues, including allergies, stress or boredom. If your cat is licking excessively and there are no obvious reasons for this behavior, it might be a sign of another problem that requires treatment. It’s also important to pay attention to how often your cat licks itself; if you notice that they tend to lick themselves constantly when you’re not around but stop when you’re around then something may be wrong with their diet or environment (such as not having enough sunlight).
Provide your cat with a fun distraction.
- Provide your cat with a fun distraction. If you want to distract your cat from licking their fur off, try putting their favorite toy away when they are not using it. They will be less likely to chew on themselves if they have something else to do with their time!
- Do not use food as a distraction. You may think that by giving them something tasty like tuna or chicken, it will keep them busy enough for them not to lick themselves until the food is gone but this does not work in most cases. The smell of food on their coat can also make cats want to groom more and cause more damage than before.
- Make sure the toy is safe for your cat! Cats love playing with toys, but sometimes those toys can cause problems such as choking hazards and even dental problems if there are sharp edges which could result in painful injuries for both humans and animals alike so make sure any new purchase is thoroughly inspected before introducing into any household situation; especially ones where children might come into contact too!
Make the environment more stimulating.
Make sure the cat’s environment is stimulating, clean and hygienic. Cats need to be kept in a clean environment with plenty of places for them to play, hide and scratch. This will keep the cat happy and reduce the amount that it licks its fur off.
Make sure you have a scratching post for your cat so it can express its natural instinct to scratch. Cats like to scratch because they are marking their territory or just because they enjoy doing so, so make sure your cat has access to an area where it can do this without damaging furniture or carpets!
Train your cat to play with toys properly.
- Make sure your cat has appropriate toys.
- -Make sure the toy is safe for the cat.
- -Make sure the toy is the right size for the cat.
- Give your pet adequate time to play with its new toy, especially if it’s a new type of material or shape (a ball may be too big for a kitten).
Distract your kitty by giving it a treat.
As soon as your cat starts licking, give it a treat. This can be tricky because it’s easy for your pet to get distracted from the treat and start licking again. It’s important that you catch the moment before they start licking so that they associate the bad behavior with getting a goodie. When your cat stops licking, reward them again with another treat or toy so they know they just did something good!
It is important to use treats that are appealing to both you and your cat. If you don’t like what’s being offered, then chances are neither will they! Make sure whatever food item is used isn’t harmful or poisonous to either party involved (you or Fido). Finally, check out our article on homemade dog treats if this sounds like something worth doing at home!
Rub mint around your cat’s neck.
Menthol is a natural pain reliever, insect repellent, appetite suppressant, breath freshener and analgesic. It will help to stop your cat from licking its fur off by calming their nerves and reducing inflammation in their skin. You can also rub mint around your cat’s neck to keep them away from their skin altogether.
Use bitter apple solution on problem areas of the skin.
You can also apply bitter apple to problem areas of the skin. This will act as a deterrent and make cats think twice about licking themselves in those spots. However, it should not be ingested and should instead be applied to the skin by you or another human being. It is best used on a regular basis so that the cat gets used to this taste over time.
It’s important not to use this solution on cats with sensitive skin because it could cause irritation and pain when licked off during grooming behaviors. You also shouldn’t use it if your cat is going through a bath process at any point in time—this may make them more likely to lick off the bitter apple solution (if they do not like having their fur stuck in their own mouth).
Put tape on fur susceptible to licking and grooming.
Put tape on fur susceptible to licking and grooming.
If you find that your cat is licking off his fur, consider taping the area that he tends to lick. This is an effective solution that won’t harm your cat or cause any pain. The tape will keep him from licking the area until it can grow back. You can also use small patches of gauze or cloth bands if you don’t want to use tape.
You should wear gloves when applying this solution so you don’t get stuck by accident!
A licked off coat is a sign that something might be wrong and should be addressed by a professional.
- A licked off coat is a sign that something might be wrong and should be addressed by a professional.
- Licking fur can be a sign of stress, boredom, anxiety or an underlying medical condition.
- If your cat is licking its fur off, you should try to figure out what’s causing it and then seek help from your vet if necessary.
If your cat has a licked off coat, it’s time to take action. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. It’s important that you rule out medical causes before trying any of these methods at home. Your doctor can also recommend solutions specific to your cat’s needs and environment.
