why do cats rip their fur out?

Question

My cat is really old and looks like hes dying....my mom says hes ripping his fur out because he is trying to make a nest out of it to lay down in when he dyes because he knows he is dying...i hope thats not true. Help me out thanx

Answer 1

Your cat is not making a bed out of his fur. He either has fleas or he could have this condition:

FELINE HYPERESTHESIA, OVER-GROOMING, AND SELF-MUTILATION

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome has been variously called rolling skin disease, neuritis, twitchy cat disease, and atypical neurodermatitis. The behaviours demonstrated can include those mimicking estrus or biting at the tail, flank, anal or lumbar areas (sometimes with resultant barbering and self-mutilation); or skin rippling and muscle spasms/twitching (usually dorsally), often accompanied by vocalisation, running, jumping, hallucinations and self-directed aggression. Not all cats exhibiting these behaviours self-mutilate, but those that do can exhibit a range of mutilation from excessive licking, to plucking (trichotillomania), barbering, biting, and chewing that lead to skin lesions. Regardless of the degree of behavioural change, owners report that it is difficult to distract the cat from the behaviour. The behaviour sequence can vary. Cats might twitch and then focus on a part of the body to lick or chew. Or they might be grooming, start to twitch, and then exhibit more furious behaviours. Painful and dermatological causes MUST be ruled-out before even considering the possibility of a behavioural disorder. Environmental and social stresses have been associated with these disorders and range from readily apparent (skin conditions including food allergy, atopy, or fleas; the addition or loss of another cat; intercat aggression; the addition or loss of a human with attendant changes in attention); to indiscernible exogenous cues. Cats may also perceive truly endogenous cues (anxiety can be the result of altered neurochemistry/neurotransmission and can therefore also be endogenous).

Answer 2

Self-mutilation is a common way cats deal with stress. Grooming is used as a normal displacement behavior for coping with anxiety or excitement, but taken to the extreme, a cat may lick or pull hair until she has bald patches. This condition is called psychogenic alopecia.

Behaviorally, the best way to handle this is to engage your cat in several interactive play sessions per day. They don't have to be intense, high-energy sessions--just something fun to help him forget about pulling out his hair. Changing his mindset to something positive can break the pattern, while leaving him more relaxed. Instead of hair-pulling to ease his anxiety, he'll achieve a release through playtime. Interactive play involves the use of a fishing-pole toy.

In addition to daily scheduled play sessions, conduct immediate play sessions whenever you see him pulling his hair. Distract him right away by bringing out his favorite toy.

Try not to do a lot of cuddling and clutching in an attempt to comfort your cat. Cuddling and clutching too much may actually make him feel as if the world really is coming to an end.

If this doesn't help, speak to your vet about the temporary use of "psychopharmacological intervention" as well.

Answer 3

What a horrible thought. I have never heard of a cat doing that even when it was dying. Usually it is a nervous habit. I dont know. Cant you take it too the vet? Or do you figure it is too old?

Answer 4

He probably has fleas, cats rip their hair out when they have
fleas because it itches

Answer 5

sometimes they do that if their fur gets tangled

Answer 6

lies he wants to look ugly so you dont see him die.he loves you