Feline compulsive behaviours

Feline compulsive behaviours are based on natural behaviours that are somehow frustrated by management practices and/or restrictive environments. Compulsive behaviours may initially be expressed as displacement behaviours. For example, when a cat is torn between responding with aggression or running away, it may displace into a seemingly unrelated behaviour, such as self-grooming, as a way of reducing emotional tension. If exposure to the anxiety-provoking stimulus continues, the cat may express the behaviour repetitively and, finally, out of context.

In the end-stage condition, even when the behaviour has adverse consequences for the cat (i.e. pain), it will continue to engage in the behaviour. The level of stimulation required to trigger the behaviour decreases over time so that the behaviour occurs in response to any level of arousal. Certain breeds seem prone to compulsive disorders, so genetic influences are likely involved. Genetics may determine which individuals display compulsive behaviours and what those compulsions are.

The most common compulsive behaviours exhibited by cats include wool sucking (or fabric eating), over-grooming/hair-barbering or hair-pulling (psychogenic alopecia), and feline hyperesthesia. Oral behaviours such as wool sucking and psychogenic alopecia are the most prevalent feline compulsive disorders.

Compulsions

Wool Sucking

"Wool sucking" refers to the repetitive, inappropriate sucking and chewing on fabric, usually woolen, synthetics or cotton substrates (such as sweaters, blankets or carpets). Some cats even suck on or ingest plastic substrates.

The condition resembles displaced nursing behaviour and may be the feline equivalent of thumb sucking. Wool sucking may start as a nursing behaviour directed toward the coat of the mother or some other cat. Such misdirected nursing may extend to other fuzzy material. As the cat matures, sucking may progress to pica (consumption of inedible material) and the range of materials ingested may broaden to include a variety of fabrics and other inappropriate items, such as shower curtains, rubber bands, shoe laces, and plastic bags.

The damage inflicted can be quite extensive and costly. Worse, the behaviour can pose health risks for the cat, including intestinal blockage. The onset of wool sucking is usually observed at any time after weaning, especially during the first year of life, frequently before 6 months of age. Several predisposing factors have been suggested for this behaviour, including genetic factors favoring persistent oral behaviour following weaning, early weaning itself, and inadequate environmental or social stimulation (feline separation anxiety).

Medical conditions that can trigger abnormal ingestion of inappropriate material include hunger, nutritional deficiencies, anemia, diabetes, and tumors. Wool sucking is seen predominantly in oriental breeds, although other purebreds and cats of mixed origin as well as domestic long- and shorthairs may also exhibit this condition. Siamese cats appear particularly prone to the condition and account for about 50 percent of all affected cats.

Compulsive wool sucking seems to occur in breeds that are more anxious and more active.

Excessive Grooming

Excessive grooming is called psychogenic alopecia. Cats normally groom as a displacement behaviour when momentarily stressed. In some cases, the frequency and duration of grooming lasts longer than it should.

In susceptible animals exposed to chronic stress, grooming may be performed out of the normal context. Such grooming is repetitive, excessive and inappropriate in frequency and intensity. Excessive self-licking and chewing causes hair shafts to become sheared, leaving stubble.

Some cats that engage in the behaviour more aggressively actually bite and pull out patches of hair from their coat. Hair pulling and chewing may result in skin wounds and ulceration. Hair loss is typically noted on areas easily accessible to the cat (abdomen, flank, chest, and legs). A stressful change in the environment often coincides with the onset of the behaviour. Other anxiety-related behaviours, such as hiding, anorexia, avoidance, may also be observed.

Medical causes should be ruled out before a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia can be made. The most common medical look-alike condition is that of skin allergy, caused by hypersensitivity to parasites, food, dust, pollen or mold. If a trial dose of corticosteroids controls excess grooming, the condition is probably medical and not psychogenic in origin.

Other medical conditions causing discomfort can cause excessive grooming: e.g. cystitis, inflammation of anal sacs, hyperthyroidism. Even if a medical condition triggers repetitive licking, a susceptible cat may continue to groom excessively even after the medical problem has been resolved.

In general, females appear to be more commonly affected than males. Psychogenic alopecia may occur in any age of cat but tends to arise most often around puberty.

Feline Hyperesthesia

Feline hyperesthesia is a state of abnormally increased sensitivity to stimuli. It is a complicated behavioural condition with some features that appear compulsive and others that appear frankly neurological.

The condition is characterized by compulsive self-directed grooming/aggression. In some cases, the condition may progress to generalized seizures. Because of the overlap in clinical signs, we believe that feline hyperesthesia may be a result of a partial seizure disorder that manifests as a compulsive disorder.

Symptoms of feline hyperesthesia include:

Dilated pupils

Excessively sensitive skin (the skin literally jumps when touched. especially along the spine)

Excessive grooming, which may result in hair loss

Running away from an unseen foe

Apparent hallucinations

The grooming associated with this condition may be so intense that it appears like self-directed aggression focused on the flank, lumbar area, or tail. Aggression may sometimes be explosive and directed at people. Such cats may make loud and unusual noises, appear to hallucinate ("act afraid of their tail"); and run around frantically as if fleeing from some unseen adversary.

They may look manic during bouts of this behaviour - that may occur several times a day. Feline hyperesthesia attacks appear to be more frequent in the evening or early morning. The aggression appears spontaneously, and bouts can end as quickly as they appear. Sometimes aggressive bouts are preceded by attention-seeking behaviour with enhanced affection to people. During a hyperesthetic bout, some cats appear anxious and restless, constantly wandering and pacing or even running away. Following an episode, cats appear confused.

The behavioural manifestation varies between cats, and milder forms of feline hyperesthesia may be confused with psychogenic alopecia (excessive grooming). Feline hyperesthesia occurs in young to middle age cats, often between 1 to 5 years of age. The signs may last a few seconds to a few minutes. Episodes may occur every few days or may occur almost constantly. Medical ruleouts include fleabite dermatitis, food allergy, intervertebral disc disease, vertebral trauma, infection, toxins or cancer. The condition may have a genetic basis since it occurs predominantly, but not exclusively, in purebred cats, especially Siamese or Siamese crosses.

What is the treatment?

Identify the Conflict

The first line of attack when treating any anxiety-based disorder is to remove or reduce the source of conflict or anxiety. If this is not possible, then counterconditioning (teaching the cat to perform a behaviour that is incompatible with fearful behaviour) and desensitization (gradually introducing the cat to the stimulus it fears and coupling this with a positive experience) are the treatments of choice.

Common Eliciting Triggers for Feline Compulsive behaviours

Separation anxiety (owners absence, loss of companion animal)

New animal or person in household

New environment

Restricted access to outdoors

Inadequate social or environmental stimulation

Early weaning

Resolved medical condition

Stroking or petting cat on back

Loud or high pitched noises

If the cat sucks on fabric, his access to it should be curtailed by picking up clothing and preventing him from going in rooms where he may suck on bedspreads or curtains. If the cat chews specific items, make these items aversive by coating them with bitter-tasting substances. Remember to provide acceptable alternative items for play and chewing and place them in the area where the cat normally seeks fabric. If the cat suffers from feline hyperesthesia, avoid stroking him along his back as this can trigger attacks.

Environmental Stimuluses

Provide the cat with plenty of activities that he enjoys. A few ideas include:

Climbing frames - Many cats enjoy climbing frames that make their environment three-dimensional and allow them to express their natural tendency to climb trees.

Prey facsimiles - Toys attached to strings, feather wands, and fishing pole toys stimulate predatory behaviour. Daily rotation of toys is recommended to keep the cat mentally stimulated.

Non-toxic grasses - Some cats respond well to fresh catnip or cat grass grown especially for them. Along the same theme, some cats also enjoy lettuce or green beans.

Novel feeding opportunities - Have several different feeding stations so the cat will have to search for his food. Some cats respond very well to "food puzzles" that they must bat around in order to obtain food. Food puzzles can be purchased in pet supply stores or crafted at home by taking an empty toilet paper roll and punching a number of holes in the tube. Make the holes large enough to release the kibble. Fill the tube with kibble and securely tape the ends to contain the food. The owner may need to show the cat how to roll the tube in order to obtain food. Make several food puzzles, fill with the cat's daily meal, and distribute them around the house. The goal is to keep the cat occupied and mentally stimulated for much of his active time.

Exercise

Daily aerobic exercise helps decrease arousal. Spend 10 to 15 minutes twice a day engaged in aerobic, interactive play with your cat. Attach treats or furry toys to string and play "predator" games with the cat. Some cats prefer feather wands. Try several different types of toys and rotate them regularly so the cat does not tire of them. Exercising your cat outdoors on a leash and cat harness may be helpful in some cases.

Diet

Prolonging feeding can be helpful. For example, feeding a high fiber dry food over the course of the day may help redirect the cat from sucking on fabric, or over-grooming, to eating. Food puzzles are a good way to increase a cat's activity level and prolong feeding.

Structure

Having a predictable daily routine helps calm many cats. Regularly scheduled times for feeding, playtime and attention are strongly recommended.

Attention Withdrawal

Repetitive behaviours should be ignored if there is any indication that they are being performed to get the owners' attention. This will ensure that the owners are not somehow reinforcing the unwanted behaviour. Be forewarned, though, the frequency of the behaviour will increase initially as the attention-seeking cat attempts to regain lost attention. It is important to stick with the program - for a while at least. Continued lack of reward (constantly ignoring the behaviour) will reduce the performance of the behaviour in about three weeks if an attention-seeking component is involved.

Avoid Discipline and Restraint

Generally, treatment of over-grooming conditions by physical restraint (Elizabethan collars) is not recommended. Although it may prevent the cat from injuring himself, it does nothing to address the underlying anxiety issues that maintain the behaviour. Cats should never be punished for engaging in these behaviours since punishment may actually contribute to the underlying conflict and increase the cat's anxiety.

Disclaimer

This pet health article is for reference only.

If your pet is showing any symptoms or distress, and you suspect your pet is ill CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.