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Cats with OCD?

post #1 of 4
9/14/10 at 1:29am
Thread Starter 
I read an article recently in the Whole Dog Journal about dogs with obsessive compulsive behaviors and several of the behaviors they mentioned are things my cat Harlequin does... Harley likes to lick weird things- she used to lick my rat's cage (until the rat bit her tongue!) and she often hops up on my computer desk and spends minutes licking this plastic mini shelf there. She also loves to groom peoples' hair and faces, she will sit and lick my face for long periods if I let her, or groom peoples' hair. She's also a fleece sucker, she loves the fluffy 'micro-fleece' type material and will also suck and knead on sweaters if I leave one where she can reach it. Harley also gets fascinated by reflections and shadows on the walls or floor, she will stare at them or try to catch them.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of cats having obsessive-compulsive issues or knows any good source of information?
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post #2 of 4
9/14/10 at 4:38am
Does she experience anxiety and stress if she cannot lick those things? It not, it's just a habit. Over grooming to the point of baldness or even self mutilation due to stress would be closer to an OCD like behavior in a cat.

Cats, in their very nature and with the way their brains are, can seem obsessive like to us in their focus when really it's just normal cat behavior. In ferals and wild cats, intense focus and routine can mean the difference between a meal and starving.

The overuse and misuse of the term OCD anymore is a bit ridiculous.
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post #3 of 4
9/14/10 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks! No anxiety or stress that I know of. But she does get really focused on those things, like she will continuously chase shadows or reflections (or a laser pointer) and not stop, or she will lick my face until my skin turns red if I don't stop her. Sometimes she also licks the air (maybe catching dust motes).
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post #4 of 4
9/14/10 at 6:29pm
You might mention it to the vet the next time you have Harley in (or are in with another pet). I'm not sure if licking at things, including air, would be linked to anything but it never hurts to ask.

Grooming you is fairly normal, she either wants to take care of her human like she would another cat (grooming) or tastes something on your skin that she likes.
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