TL;DR: Fly-biting in cats is usually a non-emergency condition linked to neurological or dental issues; capturing a video of the behavior is the most effective way to help your vet reach a diagnosis.
What is air-biting or fly-biting in cats?
Fly-biting syndrome occurs when a cat snaps their jaws or bites at the air as if chasing an invisible insect. This behavior can be caused by various underlying issues, including:
- Focal seizures
- Feline orofacial pain syndrome (FOPS)
- Complex behavioral disorders like feline hyperesthesia
- Dental pain or skin sensitivities
Is my cat’s fly-biting behavior a veterinary emergency?
The urgency level for this condition is generally low. However, you should seek emergency care if the behavior is accompanied by:
- Loss of consciousness
- Violent thrashing
- Breathing difficulties
If these severe symptoms are not present, schedule a non-emergency appointment with your veterinarian to rule out neurological or dental causes.
How does a video or photo of my cat's behavior help with triage?
Since these episodes are often unpredictable and may not occur during a clinical exam, a video recording is incredibly helpful because it allows the vet to observe:
- The specific type of jaw movement
- The cat's level of awareness during the event
- Any potential environmental triggers
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Hallucinatory compulsive disorders, such as fly-biting, are less common in cats than in dogs. When evaluating a cat exhibiting fly-biting behavior, underlying medical problems, particularly painful conditions and any disease process affecting the neurologic system, must first be excluded. Medical conditions causing neuropathic pain or pruritus, such as adverse food reactions, atopic dermatitis, and parasitic hypersensitivity, can manifest as self-mutilation, excessive grooming, or self-directed aggression. Disease processes affecting the GI tract should also be excluded. Environmental modifications that provide more control and predictability, combined with medications that augment brain serotonin levels such as fluoxetine and clomipramine, may improve clinical signs.
Chapter: Behavioral Medicine, Dermatology, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1574)