Help! My Cat Plucks His Own Fur! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My long-haired domestic orange cat, Frankfurt, tends to sometimes pluck his own fur when he’s grooming. I checked for dry and red skin, fleas, and he has no inflammation or redness of skin, and there’s no sign of fleas. What else could it be?
“– Jessica
Quick Info about Frankfurt
Hi Jessica, when a cat starts overgrooming or plucking fur without visible signs of skin disease or parasites, it often points to something a bit deeper: either internal discomfort or an emotional trigger. Cats are incredibly sensitive creatures, and overgrooming can be a feline version of nail-biting or stress-eating in humans. It’s their way of self-soothing. Changes in their environment, conflicts with other pets, boredom, or even shifts in your daily routine can all lead to this type of behavior.
However, it’s also important to consider that some cats overgroom due to underlying pain or medical issues that aren’t immediately visible on the skin. For example, discomfort in the bladder, joints, or even gastrointestinal irritation can sometimes cause a cat to focus on grooming in a specific area. If Frankfurt is targeting the same spot repeatedly, that’s a subtle clue worth investigating. Since there’s no visible skin issue or external parasite involvement, this may be a great opportunity to connect with one of our veterinarians online at PangoVet, which is a teletriage veterinary service. They can help you evaluate behavioral or mild internal triggers based on his grooming pattern and recent changes in his life. If any signs of discomfort or progression appear, a hands-on physical exam would be necessary to rule out underlying pain or systemic causes. I hope this helps!
Good luck,
– Dr. Paola