Self mutilation is quite a rare thing to see in cats. It can be an extension of over grooming or the expression of deep stress and in some cases a neurological disorder, environmental distributing behavior, allergic to flea bites and even psychological thing, which sounds like a horrible topic.

What is self barbering in cats?

Overgrooming is when a cat spends an abnormally large amount of time obsessively grooming itself. ... When a cat licks itself, endorphins, which are natural "feel good" neurotransmitters made by the brain, are released. These endorphins are the chemicals that make the sensation of self-grooming feel comforting.

Why is my cat biting herself while grooming?

This behaviour may be her way of coping with stress and licking herself repeatedly and vigorously releases the soothing feel-good endorphins that help calm her. In extreme cases of over grooming she may chew at her fur, leaving sore red patches.