 Cats spend a great amount of their lives grooming themselves. It's natural for them. In fact, they have very rough tongues with a barbed top surface that helps to pull out old, dead hairs from the coat. Outdoor cats tend to shed heaviest in the spring and fall, while most indoor cats shed year-round. Either way, cats will spend a good deal of time every day grooming themselves, licking their fur, removing objects and small mats, and even filing down their nails.
However, in some cats, grooming becomes excessive. There are several reasons why this may occur and it's important to contact your veterinarian if you notice a sudden increase in your cat's grooming. A cat may excessively groom herself if she goes through a period of excess shedding, such as with pregnancy or general illness. Other causes can include a parasite infestation such as fleas; the presence of burs, dirt, twigs or other matter; a bacterial or fungal skin infection; a skin irritation such as allergic dermatitis; or soap or other chemical irritants that have been left on the coat from bathing. There may also be psychological causes such as stress or a cat may excessively groom herself in response to scolding or even embarrassment. Your veterinarian can help you identify the particular cause and how to treat it.
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