overgrooming
Compulsive fur removal
Overgrooming is excessive self-grooming behavior in animals, particularly cats and dogs, that results in hair loss, skin damage, or bald patches.
The behavior often signals stress, anxiety, allergies, or underlying medical conditions: The vet said the cat's bald belly was from overgrooming.
In humans, the term describes compulsive behaviors like excessive hair-pulling or skin-picking.
Animal hair falling out
- bald patchesAreas lacking hair
- hair lossDiminishing scalp coverage
- hot spotsAreas of intense activity
- scratchingRaking with nails
skin irritation · dermatitis · allergies · parasites · fleas · mites · itchiness · wounds
Compulsive self-inflicted scratching
- hair pullingYanking strands from head
- trichotillomaniaCompulsive self-plucking disorder
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
- scratchingRaking with nails
nail biting · scabs · scarring · bleeding · bald spots · tweezers · compulsive · repetitive
Pressure, mental or vocal
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- worryTroubled mental state
tension · hypervigilance · fixation · neurosis · repetitive · agitation · restlessness · edginess
fur loss
Animal hair falling out
- bald patchesAreas lacking hair
- hair lossDiminishing scalp coverage
- hot spotsAreas of intense activity
scratching · skin irritation · dermatitis · allergies · parasites · fleas · mites · itchiness · wounds · scabs
skin picking
Compulsive self-inflicted scratching
- hair pullingYanking strands from head
- trichotillomaniaCompulsive self-plucking disorder
- excoriationHarsh criticism; skin abrasion
scratching · nail biting · scabs · scarring · bleeding · bald spots · tweezers · compulsive · repetitive · self-inflicted
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
worry · tension · hypervigilance · fixation · neurosis · repetitive · agitation · restlessness · edginess · unease
overgroomingneglect
Failure to provide care
poor hygiene · unkemptness · slovenliness · uncleanliness · dishevelment
groom, groomed, grooming, grooms, groomers, groomer, dog grooming, overgroomed, regroomed