Dear Bailey,

My cat Mittens has decided that her primary job in life is grooming herself. And I mean all the time. She's constantly licking, nibbling and scratching at her fur like she's preparing for a feline beauty pageant that never ends. I've noticed some bald patches forming in spots, and I'm starting to worry. Is this normal cat behavior or should I be concerned? How do I get her to chill out and enjoy life a little bit?

Sincerely,

Baldy McWhiskers

Dear Baldy McWhiskers,

First of all, I appreciate the creative pseudonym. Very self-aware. Now, let me channel my inner German shepherd wisdom here and tell you that yes, grooming is totally normal for cats. These furry little creatures spend roughly 30 to 50 percent of their waking hours cleaning themselves. It's basically their version of doom scrolling, except it actually serves a purpose and doesn't destroy their mental health. Usually.

But here's where I get my concerned ears perked up: the bald patches you're noticing are what we call a red flag. Well, a bald flag, technically. When grooming crosses over into over-grooming territory and your cat is actually removing patches of fur, that's no longer a casual self-care routine. That's anxiety with fur.

Excessive grooming in cats can stem from several sources, and none of them are particularly fun to troubleshoot. Medical issues top the list. Skin allergies, parasites like fleas (even if you don't see them), fungal infections, dry skin or other dermatological conditions can make cats feel itchy and uncomfortable. Before you assume this is purely behavioral, get Mittens to a veterinarian. Seriously. Don't skip this step. A vet can rule out medical causes and give you actual answers instead of guessing based on an internet column written by a dog.

If the vet gives Mittens a clean bill of health, then we're looking at behavioral or psychological causes. Cats are elegant creatures with delicate constitutions, which is a fancy way of saying they're neurotic drama queens. Environmental stress can trigger over-grooming faster than you can say "litter box relocation." Changes in routine, new pets, moving houses, loud noises or even a shift in your own schedule can send cats into a grooming spiral.

Some cats also develop compulsive grooming behaviors similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. They groom excessively as a self-soothing mechanism, and it becomes a feedback loop. The more stressed they get, the more they groom, and the more stressed they become. It's exhausting just thinking about it.

Here's what I recommend you actually do about it:

First, see the veterinarian. No excuses. Bring photos of those bald patches.

Second, if medical issues are ruled out, evaluate Mittens' environment. Has anything changed recently? Can you reduce stressors or provide more enrichment? Cats need mental stimulation, vertical spaces and things to do that aren't grooming themselves into oblivion.

Third, increase playtime and interactive engagement. A tired cat is a cat that's less likely to engage in compulsive behaviors. Wand toys, laser pointers and puzzle feeders are your friends here. Trust me, I know all about keeping busy.

Fourth, consider using feline pheromone products like Feliway, which can help reduce anxiety. They mimic natural calming pheromones cats produce naturally. It's basically aromatherapy for the suspicious feline crowd.

Fifth, if nothing else works, your vet can discuss anti-anxiety medications. These aren't ideal long-term solutions, but they can help break the compulsive cycle while you address underlying causes.

One more thing, Baldy McWhiskers: don't punish Mittens for grooming excessively. She's not trying to annoy you. She's likely stressed or uncomfortable, and punishment will only make things worse. I know this because I've watched plenty of humans yell at their cats for behaviors they can't control, and it never ends well.

Good luck, and get that vet appointment scheduled.

Regards,

Bailey