Exploring Normal to Abnormal Variations of Grooming Behaviours in Cats.

fPA cats show prolonged skin chewing and restricted body-part grooming, supporting classification as an abnormal repetitive behaviour.

This observational study examined normal and abnormal grooming behaviours in cats, comparing 29 healthy cats (various hair lengths) and seven cats diagnosed with feline psychogenic alopecia (fPA). Researchers analysed 118 videos, evaluating five grooming activities across nine body regions, assessing bout duration, bout frequency, and body parts groomed per bout. Key findings revealed substantial individual variation among cats regardless of hair length or health status, with mean grooming bout duration not differing significantly between groups. The majority of grooming bouts (95%) involved two to seven body parts. Cats with fPA groomed significantly fewer body parts per bout compared to healthy shorthair cats, suggesting a more stereotypic, restricted pattern. fPA cats demonstrated markedly prolonged skin chewing—approximately 10 times longer than healthy shorthair controls (p < 0.001)—and spent significantly more time grooming the internal hind limbs (p = 0.016) while spending less time on the neck region (p = 0.003). Hairless cats also chewed skin longer than other healthy cats. Licking and rubbing durations were shorter in fPA cats (p = 0.021). These behavioural distinctions provide clinicians with objective parameters to differentiate normal grooming variation from pathological grooming associated with fPA. The data support reclassifying feline psychogenic alopecia as an abnormal repetitive behaviour rather than purely a dermatological condition, which has implications for treatment approaches incorporating behavioural interventions alongside conventional dermatological management.

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