Why is your cat not grooming himself?
Ever seen comic-strip icon Garfield polish his paws and coat after
downing a panful of lasagna? Feline grooming habits are legendary. Cats
sometimes even wash themselves after being petted, meticulously putting
their fur in order just in case a human's touch has mussed a patch. They
groom not only to clean, but to regulate body temperature and stimulate
circulation. When a cat stops grooming, something's amiss in his world.
You can usually spot the signs quickly, as his once-silky coat will
feel harsh or greasy. He may have small mats or knots of fur on his body
or tail, and his feet may look stained from litter box residue or
urine; such staining is especially noticeable on white or light-colored
paws. If the cat is ill, he may have a foul, sour smell due to lack of
grooming. Cats routinely wash after eating, so food particles around his
face or chest half an hour after a meal indicate that yours is a
distracted kitty.
Why No Grooming?
Pain or illness will cause a cat to lose interest in grooming. Aging
cats may suffer from arthritis, which makes it painful for them to
maneuver their bodies for cleaning; the simple act of grooming may also
tire them out. Overweight cats have a hard time reaching the areas they
want to clean, and are frustrated by their attempts.
A cat that's drooling and eating less than usual may have diseased
gums, a toothache or mouth tumor, all of which make grooming
uncomfortable. Or a lifestyle change that upsets him may also cause your
cat to stop grooming.
Helping Kitty Out
You can try easing your cat's stress and encouraging him to start
grooming again by taking up a brush or comb. An elderly or overweight
cat that cannot groom on his own will especially benefit from your help.
All cats shed, and a daily brushing or combing will remove the dead
hair so his coat feels fresh. Once your cat experiences the gentle
rhythm of your grooming tools, he may join you in cleaning his coat. If
he's too hefty to reach his rear end or tummy on his own, give those
areas particular attention. An older cat may become agitated by
grooming, so respect his wishes and groom a little at a time when he
tolerates it.
A vet visit to learn why your cat has stopped grooming should be an
early, not last, response to the problem. The vet will determine what's
going on in your cat's body, or emotions, and prescribe a solution,
whether it's a dental cleaning, medication or a change in diet to
address his weight, age, illness or digestive issue.
Once the stress, pain or poundage improves, Kitty will regain his
pride in good grooming. My own Max, a white-and-black beauty who never
skipped a meal and was proud of his lovely fur, suddenly began rejecting
food, and abruptly stopped washing. The vet discovered pancreatitis
rapidly invading his system. Max's remaining time included hand-fed
doses of liquefied food and lots of brushing, which restored his mighty
purr right up to the end.
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