Can Cats Have OCD?

Can cats have OCD? Let's talk about it here.

You've heard of people have anxiety and OCD, but did you know that your cat could also have these types of disorders. It is possible. This article will discuss anxiety disorders in cats including symptoms and treatments.

OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by repetitive actions and behaviors that appear to have no purpose. In people, OCD can present itself in so many different ways. In cats, it tends to be seen as excessive grooming, pacing, and repetitive noises.

OCD isn't just doing something repetitive. It's that there is no purpose for the behavior. If a cat excessively cleans itself because it's dirty, that makes sense. If a cat is clean and grooms itself to the point where its losing fur, that may be OCD. When these types of repetitive behaviors occur without any type of specific situation or something to trigger it and the behavior goes on for a very long time, it's OCD.

Some cats with anxiety disorders also chew or suck on fabric. Many cats do these strange behaviors as a way to cope with their anxiety. Their behavior may be a way to comfort themselves or release the natural chemicals in the brain that help relieve pain.

Some Asian breed cats tend to have compulsive behavior, but there really isn't a specific breed, age, or gender that affects if a cat has an anxiety disorder or has compulsive behavior. Anxiety disorders in cats are often caused by stress, a mental disorder, or a result of an indoor cat being confined. If you take your cat to a veterinarian, they may be able to rule out mental disorders and other medical issues and help you figure out the cause of your cat's disorder.

There are ways to help treat a cat's OCD. Don't do anything to reinforce your cat's compulsive behavior. Don't give it attention or give it treats when it's acting compulsive. It can also help to reduce your cat's stress. You can do this by creating some type of schedule for your cat. You will also want to consider allowing your cat outside, even if it's for a walk on a leash.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.