- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Some cats love scratches and cuddles on their back. But if your cat bows up and runs away when you pet them, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want your affection. Instead, feline hyperesthesia could be to blame. Hyperesthesia causes extreme sensitivity in a cat’s skin, usually on their backs and close to their tails. When this extra sensitive skin is stimulated – maybe by a few teasing scratches — their reaction can range from frantically scratching and biting at the irritated area themselves to lashing out at you.
“Cats can be labeled as aggressive for this behavior when, in reality, it’s just the person being unaware of the situation and the cat’s body language,” says Paige Adams, a veterinarian with Etowah Veterinary Hospital.
Below, learn how to recognize hyperesthesia symptoms in cats and discover ways to help treat or manage the lifelong condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Feline Hyperesthesia?
Dr. Adams explains that hyperesthesia symptoms in cats most commonly occur in response to direct physical stimulation, like scratching their sensitive skin. But cats can also become triggered by other objects touching the area, such as a blanket. If your cat seemingly reacts for no reason, a strong air current could even be to blame.
Amber Carter, DVM, veterinarian board-certified in Feline Practice and owner of CatVetLife, says that feline hyperesthesia symptoms include the following.
- Rippling skin, especially toward the base of the tail
- Excessive grooming
- Scratching or biting
- Sudden jumping and running
- Drooling
- Vocalizing
- Chasing or attacking their tail
When is hyperesthesia high-risk?
Some cats with hyperesthesia may have a more severe reaction than others. For instance, they may urinate, self-mutilate, or even have seizures when they’re triggered. These intense behaviors can be distressing for you and your cat. Fortunately, there are ways to manage these more severe reactions with medication or other treatments.
What Causes Feline Hyperesthesia?
The underlying cause of hyperesthesia is still a mystery. That said, veterinarians and researchers do have a few theories behind its origins, including the following possibilities.
1. Hyperesthesia as a type of compulsive disorder
Some vets theorize that feline hyperesthesia might be a type of compulsive disorder. Cats might perform a behavior out of frustration, like attacking their tail, which eventually becomes a “compulsion.” Then, they’ll automatically perform the compulsive behavior in response to certain triggers – like your pets.
Compulsive behaviors in cats might be caused by stress and anxiety or a pet parent inadvertently exacerbating them. For example, if you punish your cat for lashing out, they may feel stressed and upset and be more likely to engage in self-destructive behavior next time.
2. Hyperesthesia as a form of inappropriate pain perception
Meanwhile, some vets instead believe that feline hyperesthesia could be a form of inappropriate pain perception. For instance, your cat may have suffered an injury that has since healed but made their nerves become hypersensitive. This could potentially make hyperesthesia a type of cat chronic pain.
3. Other factors
Lastly, some cat breeds may be more likely to develop hyperesthesia than others, including Siamese, Burmese, Persian, and Abyssinian cats. Consequently, there may be a genetic component to the condition. Dr. Carter says feline hyperesthesia is also associated with certain food allergies.
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How Does a Vet Diagnose Feline Hyperesthesia?
Unfortunately, it can sometimes be challenging to find indications of hyperesthesia in cats, says Dr. Alex Crow, a veterinarian practicing in the UK who also has a cat with hyperesthesia.
For one thing, there aren’t any definitive tests to diagnose hyperesthesia. Instead, vets often use a process of elimination to rule out other potential causes for a cat’s symptoms. For example, fleas could cause a cat to obsessively scratch and over-groom their tails, while a cat that suddenly runs around the house may simply have the zoomies. But if your vet can’t find any other underlying issues, they may settle on hyperesthesia as an umbrella diagnosis.
What Are the Treatments for Feline Hyperesthesia (& Do They Work)?
“The outlook for most cats with this condition is very good,” Dr. Adams reassures. She adds that oftentimes hyperesthesia in cats is treated by helping them manage their symptoms and changing how you interact with them. Depending on your cat’s symptoms, a vet may suggest one or more of the following treatment methods to bring them relief.
Medications & medical treatments
Sometimes, vets can treat hyperesthesia symptomatically with medications. If your cat has seizures, then a seizure-control medication like Gabapentin may be able to provide relief. For cats that over-groom, a corticosteroid lotion or an omega-3 supplement may relieve itchiness that contributes to the behavior. In some cases, you may find that addressing a contributing cause helps your cat feel more comfortable and less likely to engage in self-destructive behavior.
Treating anxiety and stress
Lowering potential stressors in your house could also help curb your cat’s anxiety and stress levels, potentially helping them cope better with their hyperesthesia. Ways you could make your house more comfortable for your cat include:
- Install perches or large towers: Most cats enjoy having perches that are two to three feet tall and near an interesting view; window perches and large cat trees are great options.
- Provide separate spaces: Make sure every cat in the house has their own resources in different spaces of the house, including food and water bowls and litter boxes.
- Add stimulation: Make sure your cat has plenty of toys that cater to their prey preferences. For instance, feather toys are perfect for cats who live birds.
- Purchase pheromones or calming supplies: In some cases, a pheromone spray like Feliway could mimic the calming scents that a mother cat puts off to soothe their kittens.
Above all, you can simply try to avoid petting your cat in areas where they’re particularly sensitive.
iStock/Chalabala
Takeaway
Hyperesthesia can make your cat jumpy and agitated, cause them to bite or scratch excessively, or even lead to seizures. However, some cats may be able to find relief from their symptoms through medications or modifications to their environment.
“With love and attention, these cats can become happy and lead content and everyday lives,” Dr. Crow says. “Such cats have a special attitude toward [you], which often exceeds all other relationships.”
