Why Do Cats Eat Fur off the Floor and How to Stop It?
Updated: 1 day ago
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Cats and Grooming
Does your cat enjoy snacking on loose fur? As alarming as it is for pet parents, there are some perfectly logical reasons why they might be doing it - or at least, logical by cat standards!
Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits, and their tongues make the perfect hairbrush. This is due to tiny, backwards-facing hooks called papillae that cover the surface of the tongue. These structures help to detangle fur, clear away dirt and remove loose hair.
It's natural for cats to swallow some of this hair, and it usually passes through the digestive system without causing any problems. But what does it mean when your cat deliberately goes out of its way to eat fur, whether their own or that of another cat?
Why Do Cats Eat Loose Fur?
I first noticed this curious behaviour when my longhair, Drax, was moulting and left clumps of fur stuck to the carpet. Simba would follow him around like his own personal vacuum cleaner, scooping up the hair with his paws and stuffing it into his mouth. I'm forever chasing after him, which is probably the most exercise I get all day.
Although highly annoying, there's always a method to a cat's apparent madness. Like many other behaviours, it all goes back to their survival instincts. Similar to burying their waste, one explanation for eating fur is to prevent potential threats - i.e., predators - from picking up their scent.
In simple terms, you could think of it as "getting rid of the evidence" or clearing up after themselves as part of their natural grooming behaviour. Yes, it really can be that simple!
Not all cats are serial fur eaters - I've never seen Drax exhibit this behaviour. However, Simba is one of those cats that spends a ridiculous amount of time scraping the litterbox after using it, as well as the floor and surrounding walls. The same OCD behaviour extends to food bowls, where any leftovers will drive him crazy. He'll use anything in the vicinity to hide it: toys, rugs or even the food mat itself.
If you have a cat that's sensitive to smells, territorial or even anxious, then it might be more likely to seek out and eat loose fur than a chilled out kitty. This isn't usually something to be concerned about, but we do want to limit as much ingestion as possible to prevent hairballs, vomiting and more serious intestinal blockages.
It may seem like common sense, but there are some practical steps you can take:
Regular vacuum cleaning, especially in multi-cat households and during shedding seasons.
Spot clean bedding and other kitty hangout areas - that includes your sofa if necessary.
Brush your cats, both long and short-haired, to reduce the amount of hair floating around. Longhairs benefit from daily grooming, while shorthairs can usually get away with once a week.
Related post: How to Groom a Cat and Best Brushes to Use
 MantraRaj Cat Massaging and Scratching Arch is made for self-grooming with soft plastic bristles to reduce matting and hairballs. The base has a compartment that can be filled with catnip. |
Pica
Pica is an eating disorder characterised by the consumption of non-edible or foreign materials such as fabrics, clothing, wood, plastic, cellophane, wood, paper, cardboard, string and fur. Pica can be linked to genetics but may also be caused by underlying medical conditions and nutritional deficiencies.
Another theory for this compulsive craving, as discussed on International Cat Care, is that the act of chewing releases certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the cat's nervous system) causing a feeling of intense pleasure. This feeling goes on to become addictive.
Overgrooming
While the behaviour discussed in this article is generally nothing to be concerned about - if kept under control - it's important to recognise any changes to your cat's behaviour that might indicate an underlying issue. Overgrooming is the most common cause of eating fur, and there are several reasons for this.
Stress or Anxiety
Grooming can become a compulsive behaviour when cats are anxious or stressed. Also known as pyschogenic alopecia, they may lick themselves as a self-soothing action because it's believed to release endorphins in the brain. Cats will lick the same spot until the area loses hair or pull their fur out, leaving patches that become sore and inflamed.
Self-trauma (overgrooming) is emotional or psychological in nature, often triggered by stress. This can be caused by changes to a cat's environment or routine, such as moving house; new pets or babies; bullying from other cats; loud noises and frightening events.
Learn more about the causes and treatment for feline stress here: Feline Stress: 8 Reasons Why Your Cat is Stressed or Anxious
Skin Irritation or Allergies
A cat with itchy skin may lick excessively and therefore swallow more hair. This can be due to allergies, including those to food; parasites and infections.
Boredom
Cats that don't get enough stimulation or playtime might start eating fur out of boredom, which is more of a risk with indoor cats. This repetitive behaviour can become a habit if not addressed, so be sure to provide plenty of toys and enrichment like scratchers and climbing areas.
Medical Conditions
Overgrooming can be a sign of illness, pain or discomfort, particularly if they're licking a specific area of their body. For example, if a cat has a urinary tract infection then it might focus on the lower belly and genitals, leaving bald patches in the painful area.
What Happens When Cats Eat Fur?
It's fairly common for cats to cough up or vomit the occasional hairball. Frequent vomiting indicates that large amounts of fur are being swallowed, which clumps in the stomach and causes discomfort and potential blockages. Other signs that your cat might be ingesting too much hair include:
Coughing or gagging.
Constipation.
Loss of appetite.
Lethargy.
If your fur-eating cat displays any of these symptoms then it's vital to make an appointment with your vet. If they're simply hoovering up fluff off the floor like Simba, you still need to take precautions before it becomes a more serious problem.
Does your cat have a sneaky fur addiction or eat other things that it's not supposed to? Let us know in the comments.
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