Cats Who Won't Groom

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

28 May 2008 03:22 PM

We've had guests at the cats-only boarding facility who can't or won't groom themselves. I started to wonder why.

Looks like there are a lot of different reasons why a cat might not groom him or herself. Here are a few:

• Illness. A cat that doesn't feel well might stop grooming. Many times, this is the first warning sign an owner will notice when their pet is sick. Maybe you'll see mats, or just notice that your cat isn't as clean as usual. It's not a bad idea to talk to your veterinarian if your cat has stopped grooming.
• Hormonal or metabolic disease. Some chronic diseases can affect the skin and coat, making it seem like your cat isn't grooming.
• Injury or pain. Similar to sickness, pain can make a cat stop grooming. We had one owner tell us that her cat used to chew his own toenails (he never needed a trim) until he developed arthritis. Now that he isn't as flexible, he needs some help keeping those claws short.
• Boredom or frustration. Animals express emotions differently. A cat who is feeling bad may change his habits -- including grooming.
• Size. We've had more than one guest at the cats-only boarding facility who was too large to groom all over. Some obese cats can't reach their bottoms, for example, and need some help cleaning up.
• Dental problems. Tooth and gum problems or a tumor in the mouth can make grooming painful -- so the cat might stop doing it. If your cat is drooling a lot, eating less (or not at all), and has stopped grooming, you may want to see your vet for an oral exam.

For most cats, grooming is an activity that takes up a lot of time and energy. If you notice that your cat has stopped grooming, it's best to talk to your veterinarian. Changes in behavior can signal more serious health issues!

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Samual (11722) 29 May 2008 07:40 AM

We have a ragdoll kitten, she can't groom herself properly as her fur is so long. At the moment we have chicken as a bribe when we groom her, otherwise we get a feel of those lovely claws.

Aimee Amodio (12040) 29 May 2008 10:01 AM

Chicken is a popular bribe in my house, too, Samual! :) Maybe a bit of a haircut would help until she's a little older?

Samual (11722) 29 May 2008 02:37 PM

She cannot be cut until 6 months as she would definately need to be sedated, otherwise the groomer would be mauled to death. Her hair is around six inches long at the moment, so she looks like a manic ball of fluff.