Cat’s licking itself could be response to stress
My husband and I own two sibling cats. We have just returned from the second of two brief trips and one cat has suddenly started excessively grooming, hiding, has skin rippling and twitching on her back, and her matting has gotten worse. We can’t seem to stay ahead of the mats and with me being eight months into my pregnancy I am as worried as can be.
I looked online and read up on a condition called FHS but when I took the cats to the vet today, they had not heard of it and after examining the cat and grooming out the mats, they suggested I give it a few days because the cat may be acting out because of several factors — the mats, our travel and my pregnancy.
Does that even make sense? I was sent home with something to calm them down called Zylkene and wonder if you think it will help or will my cat need something stronger? Am I safe with this happening and getting ready to have a child? Help. FHS is not a commonly used term and, in full disclosure, I had to look it up! Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is also known as skin twitching syndrome. Fairly uncommon, it results in intense biting or licking all over the body due to increased skin sensitivity. It is also described as cat schizophrenia but usually results in obsessive behavior causing skin mutilation and intense self-excoriation.
For now, I would trust your veterinarian in not finding anything significant but know that your cat may have easily been reacting to all of the factors you mentioned.
Mats can be uncomfortable and lead to what you describe. That has been addressed and may resolve it all. Hiding and other unusual behavior can be attributed to environmental disruptions such as your trips, changes that may be taking place in the home with your pregnancy and possible pheromone changes the cat may be picking up on.
In other words, your cat may be acting out and I would not read too much into it initially. Zylkene works in some cats and has a calming effect that might help. Only time will tell if anything stronger might be needed, but a clean bill of health makes me think all will work out. Congratulations on the anticipated arrival and you should be completely safe as well.