Location

• Bald patches caused by psychogenic alopecia are most often found on the stomach, inner thighs or rump, and the skin may be red and irritated.
  
  

Reason

• Grooming releases relaxing endorphins in cats suffering from psychogenic alopecia the same way exercise releases endorphins in humans.
  
  

Causes

• Stress can trigger psychogenic alopecia. Cats hate changes in routine or environment, such as moving, rearranging furniture, or adding or losing a family member. Conflicts with other cats or pets, or even seeing a strange cat outside, can induce stress.
  
  

Consequences

• The cat engaging in psychogenic alopecia ingests too much hair, which creates hairballs or causes constipation when hairballs aren't passed by vomiting.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Through x-rays and other tests, veterinarians eliminate all other possible causes of psychogenic alopecia, such as flea or food allergies, fungal infections like ringworm, pain beneath the area being licked, or tumors.
  
  

Cure

• If physical causes of psychogenic alopecia are ruled out, provide more attention and playtime every day. Ignore the grooming behavior so it's not rewarded, or distract the cat with a feeding. Eliminate any obvious stressors. Never punish; it doesn't work with cats.