โรค8 connections · 1 source
Psychogenic Alopecia
Compulsive hair-pulling, overgrooming, licking, biting, or chewing that leads to hair loss, thin coats, or baldness in cats. A diagnosis of exclusion — medical causes (allergies, parasites, food reactions) must be ruled out first. Only ~10% of suspected cases are purely behavioral.
Key Facts
- "Psychogenic" means "of the mind" — behavioral rather than medical origin
- Study found 76% of suspected cases had medical causes (food reactions, allergies, parasites)
- Most affected areas: flanks (sides), belly, inner legs
- Cats often overgroom when alone or at night — owner may not witness it
- Behavioral triggers: environmental stress, new pets/people, resource competition, lack of enrichment
- Diagnosis requires ruling out: allergies, mites, fungal infections, food sensitivities, thyroid disease
- Treatment: address underlying stress + environmental modification (Five Pillars)
- Medications: fluoxetine (Prozac), clomipramine (Clomicalm), amitriptyline (Elavil)
- pheromone-therapy can help reduce anxiety component
- Prognosis varies — some cats need lifelong medication