🧪 Vet Guide to Fur Mowing in Cats (2025): Causes, Tests & Treatments 🐱

Has your cat suddenly developed bald patches or lost fur on the belly, back, or legs? The culprit might not be hair loss—it could be fur mowing, a behavior where cats lick off their own hair due to itching or discomfort. In this comprehensive 2025 guide, Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc explains the most common reasons behind fur mowing, how to diagnose the cause, and what treatment strategies can help restore your cat's coat and comfort. 🩺🐾

🔍 What Is Fur Mowing?

Fur mowing refers to a cat compulsively licking off its own fur, typically in isolated areas like the belly, thighs, or lower back. These bald spots often have normal-looking skin and can be mistaken for hair falling out. In most cases, the cat is trying to soothe an underlying itch or irritation. 🧼

🧠 It’s Not All In Their Heads

Contrary to outdated beliefs, most cats who mow do not have a mental illness. In fact, studies show that the majority are responding to physical discomfort—especially from itching. In a university study, only 2 out of 21 mowing cats had psychological causes, while 16 had a clear medical reason and 3 had both. 🧬

🧐 How Do You Know the Cat Is Licking?

Cats are private groomers, and they often mow in secret. You may only notice hairless patches. To confirm, a vet can perform a trichogram: examining hairs under a microscope. Broken tips mean licking, while tapered ends mean natural shedding. 🔬

🐛 Obvious Causes of Itching

Before diving into complex tests, always rule out simple, common issues:

• 🪰 Fleas: Even if you don’t see them, they could be present.
• 🪮 Use a flea comb to check for flea dirt or live fleas—especially on pets not licking.
• 🐈 Flea allergies commonly cause hair loss on the lower back and neck.

Step one in any treatment plan is immaculate flea control. Flea-related mowing often improves in 6–8 weeks. ⏳

🔬 Next Steps: Non-Invasive Testing

If flea control doesn’t resolve the issue, your vet will likely recommend:

• 🧫 Skin scraping – to check for mites like Demodex or Cheyletiella
• 💩 Fecal test – sometimes mites show up here due to grooming
• 👂 Ear exam – mites may leave their typical hiding spots
• 🔦 Wood’s lamp exam and fungal culture – for ringworm detection

🔍 If Tests Are Inconclusive

When basic tests don’t reveal a cause, here’s what Dr. Duncan Houston might recommend next:

📋 Skin Biopsy

• 🧪 Confirms allergies, ringworm, or psychogenic cause
• 🩺 Local anesthesia used with small punch samples taken
• 📉 Negative biopsy results suggest a psychological cause

🥩 Food Allergy Trial

• 🍽️ 8-week diet using hydrolyzed or novel proteins
• 🔄 If hair regrows, reintroduce old food to confirm allergy
• ⚠️ Must be indoor-only to control intake

🧴 Flea Control Trial

• 💉 Strict flea prevention for 6–8 weeks
• 🔍 Evaluate if mowing stops or improves

🛁 Demodectic Mange Trial

• 🧪 3–6 lime sulfur dips (weekly)
• 👃 Strong smell; may be done at the vet hospital
• 💡 Treats undiagnosed mite infestations

💊 Steroid Trial

• 💉 Cortisone treatment for 3–4 weeks
• 📊 Helps determine if mowing is allergic in origin
• ❗ Must be done after ringworm testing and before biopsy

🧠 What If It’s Mental?

When all other causes are ruled out, the mowing may be psychogenic—linked to anxiety, boredom, or obsessive behavior. Common signs include:

• 🔁 Repetitive licking with no medical basis
• 📍 Patterns not associated with allergens or parasites

🧸 Environmental Enrichment

• 🧠 Puzzle toys and hiding games
• 🎯 Rotating feeding stations
• 💬 More play and attention from humans

🌸 Calming Products

• 🌫️ Feliway diffusers (synthetic calming pheromones)
• 🍼 Zylkene (milk protein calming supplement)
• 🐱 Anxiolytic diets (ask your vet)

💊 Medications for Psychogenic Mowing

• 💊 Clomipramine
• 💊 Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• 💊 Amitriptyline

📲 Ask A Vet for Help

If your cat is licking its fur off and you're unsure what to try next, get expert help fast from Dr. Duncan Houston via the Ask A Vet app. 🐱💬

Visit AskAVet.com or download the app to connect with a licensed vet for guidance, second opinions, and tailored treatment plans. 📱

💬 Final Thoughts

Fur mowing in cats can be medically or behaviorally complex—but it’s not hopeless. With a step-by-step diagnostic approach and expert veterinary support, most cats improve significantly. 😺🧼

Dr. Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team are here to help you find the root cause and bring your feline friend back to full fluff. 🐾