3 month-old adopted kitten not bathing herself?

Question

We adopted a kitten last weekend from our local humane society. She's healthy, very affectionate, and active. However, she doesn't bathe herself. Shouldn't she be doing this by now? Is there anyway to teach her to do this at this stage or will she eventually figure it out herself?

Answer 1

I had this same problem with a kitten I was taking care of until the shelter found her an owner. What worked best for us was to find a flavor your kitten likes and rub it over her coat. Then encourage her to lick herself. Give her a few hours to do so. Then when she seems to be done, take a warm/wet wash rag and smooth it over her. You can use really diluted baby soap that is tear free as well. Use it to clean your kitty. She should eventually learn because of licking tasty flavors off herself. But make sure that you clean her face, espacially the eyes and ears to prevent ear mights and eye infection, and clean the bottom area until she learns on her own. Good Luck!

Answer 2

My grandparents have an adoption type thing at their house, and we get many abandoned kittens there, and we've seen quite a few with this problem. I'd say intervene, because some kittens won't pick this up if there is only one cat. I usually rub a little bit of chicken broth over their fur. This gets them into the habit of cleaning themselves quite easily.

Answer 3

Yes...use a baby-shampoo that is watered down, of course, and use a washcloth to smooth it over her. That will make her wonder what you're doing and her instinct will be to lick it off. Or, take some cold beef or chicken broth and put a little on your hands and rub it on her fir. That will entice her to lick. She'll eventually get the idea.

Answer 4

Maybe she was separated from her mother too soon, or maybe she bathes when you aren't there to see her. Do you brush her weekly? It's a good idea even when cats bathe themselves, and a necessity when they don't.
Try dabbing some tuna juice on her fur especially where it's easy for her to reach. Instinct should kick in. You may have to try this several times. No luck? It might be time to ask your vet.

Answer 5

well its so kind of you to adopt a pet, however your kitten will never bathe herself so long as you are ogling at her, animals do need their privacy too, just hand her the towel and soap and leave the room, and she will most definitely have her bath, one more thing... keep the water in the bath warm, hope you are englightned, peace.

Answer 6

Hi, I had this same problem with a kitten,( he just turned 2 yrs old) I adopted from a shelter. I also noticed he never cleaned himself, so it became a habit for me to do it. Even after washing my hands, Id use the paper towels I dried my hands with to wipe his face.. Id also use softface cloths on the rest of him. I figured out the problem was, he was taken away so young.. he was never around other kittens. He wasnt taught how to do what "kittens or cats" normally do. I ended up getting him a companion, an abused cat 3 months older.. he then learned to clean himself on his own. I did adopt him very young and he has a very strong bond with me. To this day from not being brought up with siblings or his mother, he doesnt use his claws as defense or for playing, he tends to bite. He also carries things in his mouth.. from toys to my jewelry, yes my jewelry lol
It wont harm the cat if you do wash her ears and face. Id especially wash her genital area. Ive brought up day old kittens, and the mother usually licks them down in the genital area for them to "go"- I had to bottle feed, and wipe them down there til they got a little older. So you should keep her clean in the important areas. No perv comments please:) lol geesh!
To this day, my cat loves to have his face washed by me.... but he has now learned by his adopted brother how to do the rest of normal cat things.
Edited, to the comments regarding that cats do not like water.. This is a myth- some do, some dont. But theyre tongues arent wet enough when they wash themselves. I also brush my cat if not daily then when I think of it. If she doesnt like the brush, start slowly, do a few strokes, leave it at that, she will end up loving it. Anyways, Ive had several cats who would play in water, my 2 indoor cats now love to play with running water, Ive had them jump into the running shower (good thing I dont take hot showers). I do leave a bowl of water for them to drink out of at all times in the sink. Half the time theyre soaked from playing in it. That bowl of water is in addition to the bowl of water on the floor with there food....
I hope my answer helps, I did have the same problem & I would say the reason is being taken away from his litter & mother way too soon.

Answer 7

Don't worry. If she isn't cleaning her bottom, then you can use a warm water and cotton wool or make up remover pad to clean the area. Brush her daily. She will be fine and one benefit, she will never have furballs. She may get the idea eventually.

Answer 8

go ahead and give her a bath, towel her dry best you can, and keep her in a warm place so she doesn't get a chill. Her instinct should be to start licking herself to groom herself.

Answer 9

kittens dont bathe themselves as much as a grown cat, she may be doing her face or tail just a little, as they get older they will clean themselves more

Answer 10

u might want to start brushing her to get all the dirt and oil and dirt off. some kittens won't clean themselves if ther is a lot of dirt there.even tho u can't see it the kitten no's its there.