What can excessive grooming in animals lead to?

Excessive grooming in animals can lead to alopecia, which is a condition characterized by hair loss. When an animal grooms excessively, it may pull out its own fur or damage hair follicles, resulting in patches of hair loss or thinning fur. This behavior is often a response to stress, anxiety, or skin irritation, and the resulting alopecia can signal underlying health issues that need to be addressed.

In contrast, the other options suggest outcomes that do not typically occur as a result of excessive grooming. For instance, excessive grooming is unlikely to promote the healing of skin lesions or decrease nutritional deficiencies. In fact, it could potentially worsen skin conditions due to self-inflicted injuries. Furthermore, while grooming contributes to cleanliness and fur maintenance, excessive grooming often leads to deterioration in fur quality rather than an immediate improvement, as it can create bald spots and affect the overall health of the coat.