From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Definition: Pronunciation Key: sy-ko-jen-ick aloh-peesh-ah

Hair loss from stress and subsequent overgrooming is commonly referred to as psychogenic alopecia. The word psychogenic¹ means "originating in the mind" and the word alopecia² means hair loss or baldness. This condition is more common in cats, particularly in the "nervous" personality types.

Typically the skin is not involved and there are no other lesions besides the hair loss (or broken off, short hairs). Changes are often subtle at first, but in time the grooming behavior may become obsessive with increased stress. There are many possible causes for hair coat and skin problems. Only your vet can diagnose what is going on for sure after a physical examination of your pet.

References:
psychogenic¹: psychogenic. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/psychogenic (accessed: November 05, 2007).
alopecia²: alopecia. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alopecia (accessed: November 05, 2007).

Veterinary Glossary Index

Pronunciation: sy-ko-jen-ick aloh-peesh-ah

Also Known As: overgrooming

Examples: It was subtle at first, but when my cat became bald on her hind legs, I knew that her constant grooming was actually psychogenic alopecia.