Is your cat biting at himself, sensitive to touch and showing erratic behavior?  Your cat may be suffering from Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, commonly known as Rolling Skin Syndrome.

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome also known as "rolling skin syndrome," is in some ways very similar to a seizure disorder.

Symptoms of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome or Rolling Skin Syndrome:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Twitching of the tail
  • Appearing to be annoyed with the tail
  • Biting at the tip of the tail, sometimes to the point of mutilation
  • Behavior may change from loving, to scared and depressed
  • Sensitive to touch around the tail
  • Staring into space
  • Persistent, loud meowing
  • Dashing off madly and aimlessly around the house or yard
  • Rippling skin on the back just above the tail

Below are videos of a cats suffering from Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS):

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Is your cat biting or twitching at his tail, or acting strangely out of nowhere?

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My cat has not had any seizures for over a year. She is a healthy and happy. Thank you so much for caring to make healthful and natural supplements for our most cherished pets.

Brenda

These symptoms are not always triggered by unpleasant events but can occur while you are petting your cat loving, or when touching your cat near the tail.

Factors/Causes That May Contribute to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome or Rolling Skin Syndrome

Food & Diet

  • Low-quality foods and treats
  • Artificial preservatives such as BHA and BHT
  • Animal by-products
  • Artificial food dyes
  • Excess sugar

Environmental

  • Cigarette smoke
  • Strong household cleaners
  • Air fresheners
  • Scented candlesPaint fumes
  • Lawn chemicals
  • Mold
Artificial Preservatives and Food Additives
  • BHA
  • BHT
  • Ethoxyquin
  • Artificial food additives
  • Red food dye
  • Sodium nitrate
  • Titanium dioxide

Chemical Exposure

  • Chemical flea products
  • Toxic shampoos
  • Toxic flea collars

How to Control Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome, or Rolling Skin Syndrome Naturally

A prevention plan is a simple method of enhancing the level of nutrition and making lifestyle changes. It is an attempt to address any special needs your pet may have and promote a healthy lifestyle. Below are suggestions on how to treat FHS.

Rule Out Other Health Problems

Rule out other health problems such as thyroid, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease.

Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Poor nutrition is a direct cause of many major and minor diseases. Therefore, a commitment to optimum health and longevity for your pet must include a high quality diet.

Research has shown that a low quality diet - meaning a diet loaded with chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, coloring agents, and sodium nitrate - were found to produce epileptic-like changes in the brain activity of rats that ate it regularly. By-products in pet food may lead to allergies, nervousness, hypertension, diabetes, weight problems, dry skin, and many other common ailments.

A homemade diet is recommended, however, home cooking does not fit into everyone's lifestyle and if this is the case, it is essential to choose a high quality dry or canned food.  

Structure Mealtimes

Some pets suffer from hypoglycemia. The causes of hypoglycemia are overproduction of insulin, excessive exercise, heredity, or an inadequate diet. Some symptoms of hypoglycemia are very similar to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome.

Symptoms of a hypoglycemic attack include:

  • ‍‍Staggering, collapse or dashing around
  • Weakness
  • Aggression
  • Moodiness
  • Glassy eyes, dilated pupils
  • Seizures

Because symptoms of hypoglycemia and FHS tend to be similar, feeding structured meals is suggested. When you feed one meal a day, your pet's body produces insulin. High levels of insulin cause low levels of fat burning and high levels of fat storing, the reverse of what you may think. When insulin is not stable in the body, it throws the hormones and brain chemicals off balance and the body starts storing fat to save itself.

Therefore, it is extremely important to feed 3~4 times a day. When you feed several small meals a day, the body burns fat more effectively and speeds up the metabolism so your pet can burn more calories.

Recommended feeding schedule:

  • ‍‍Breakfast: A high-quality pet food or homemade food
  • Lunch: A high-quality pet food or homemade food
  • Dinner: A high-quality pet food or homemade food
  • Before bed: Snack

If your pet is on medication to control FHS, For Pet Health does not recommend discontinuing traditional medications cold turkey or discontinuing them at all. We highly recommend you work closely with your veterinarian. If you are interested in treating Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome naturally, For Pet Health recommends a consultation with our on-staff nutritionist.

Schedule a Consultation

If you would like help developing a personalized nutrition and holistic support program for your cat, I would be happy to work with you. Each consultation is tailored to your pet's individual needs and includes practical recommendations you can begin implementing right away.

My goal is simple: to help your pet enjoy the healthiest, happiest life possible through nutrition, education, and natural support.