Compulsive Disorders in Cats

Compulsive Disorders in Cats – An Overview

Repetitive, relatively constant, exaggerated behavior patterns (often derived from normal behavior, but taken to extreme) with no apparent reason or function; performed to the exclusion of other normal behaviors or to the detriment of the cat
Behaviors such as psychological hair loss in which the cat grooms excessively (known as “psychogenic alopecia”), frequently repeated meowing or vocalizing (known as “repetitive vocalization”), compulsive pacing, fabric chewing, or wool sucking may be considered compulsive disorders, when other reasons for the behavior cannot be identified

Signalment/Description of Pet

Species

Cats

Breed Predilections

Siamese and Burmese, other Asian breeds and crosses are more likely than other cat breeds to demonstrate repetitive vocalization, fabric chewing, and wool sucking

Mean Age and Range

Age of onset approximately 24 months (range, 12–49 months)

Predominant Sex

Both males and females are affected equally

Signs/Observed Changes in the Pet

Signs or observed changes are determined by the abnormal behavior itself. A cat may demonstrate one or more abnormal behaviors
Psychogenic alopecia—localized, symmetrical hair loss; most commonly involving the skin of the groin, lower abdomen, and inner thigh or back of thighs; appearance of the skin may be normal or may be abnormal, with redness or abrasions from excessive grooming
Compulsive pacing
Repeated meowing or vocalizing (repetitive vocalization)
Fabric chewing and wool sucking—secondary gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting, may develop
These behaviors may quickly increase in frequency if they are reinforced with feeding or attention by the owner

Causes of Feline Compulsive Disorders

Unknown
Organic or physical causes for the abnormal behavior should be ruled-out before a psychological basis is presumed

Risk Factors

Changes in surroundings may lead to abnormal behaviors
More commonly reported in indoor cats; may be an artifact of the higher level of attention such pets receive or may be related to the stress of confinement or social isolation

Treatment for Cat’s Compulsive Disorders

Health Care

Reduce environmental stress—increase the predictability of household events by establishing a consistent schedule for feeding, playing, exercise, and social time; eliminate unpredictable events as much as possible; avoid confinement
Identify and remove triggers (triggers are situations or things to which the cat reacts, leading to compulsive behavior) for the behavior, if applicable
Ignore the behavior as much as possible; distract the cat and initiate acceptable behavior
Do not reward the behavior
Note details of the time, place, and social environment so that an alternative positive behavior (such as play or feeding) may be scheduled
Any punishment for an unwanted behavior associated with the owner’s voice, movement, and touch may increase the unpredictability of the cat’s environment, may increase the cat’s fear or aggressive behavior, and may disrupt the human-animal bond

Activity

Playing or exercise on a consistent schedule
Increase opportunities for social interactions

Diet

Depends on compulsive behavior exhibited and individual pet

Medications for Compulsive Disorder in Cats

Medications presented in this section are intended to provide general information about possible treatment. The treatment for a particular condition may evolve as medical advances are made; therefore, the medications should not be considered as all inclusive:

Anticompulsive drugs may be helpful
No drugs are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of these disorders in cats; your veterinarian will discuss the risks and benefits of using these drugs
Goal—use drugs until control is achieved for 2 months; then attempt gradual decrease in dosage; treatment should be resumed at first sign of relapse
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)—amitriptyline or clomipramine
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)—fluoxetine or paroxetine
Buspirone
Phenobarbital
Deprenyl (seligeline), if signs related to cognitive dysfunction (changes in behavior and awareness related to aging of the brain)
L-tryptophan

Follow-Up Care

Patient Monitoring

Before initiating treatment, record the frequency of abnormal behavior that occurs each week so that progress can be monitored
Successful treatment requires a schedule of follow-up examinations
Environmental modification program and/or psychologically active medications must be adjusted according to the cat’s response
If a medication is not effective after dosage adjustment, another drug may be prescribed

Preventions and Avoidance

Create an enriched environment for the cat
Do not reward the behavior
Ignore the behavior as much as possible

Possible Complications

Treatment failure
Fabric chewing/wool sucking—gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting or blockage
Irritation or frustration of people in household

Expected Course and Prognosis

Realistic expectations must be understood; changing a behavior that has become a habit is very challenging
With treatment, prognosis for improvement is good; estimated that two-thirds of pets respond to the client’s satisfaction
Immediate treatment improves the prognosis, since the outcome is impacted negatively by prolonged problem duration
Immediate control of a long-standing problem is unlikely

Key Points

Any cat may develop repetitive, exaggerated behavior patterns that apparently have no reason or function
Ignore the behavior as much as possible and avoid rewarding the behavior
Abnormal behavior should be evaluated by your pet veterinarian as soon as possible to determine if a physical cause exists
Treatment may include behavioral modification and psychologically active drugs, if no physical cause is identified
Realistic expectations must be understood; changing a behavior that has become a habit is very challenging
Immediate treatment improves the prognosis, since the outcome is impacted negatively by prolonged problem duration