Is there any way to encourage a cat to groom himself more?

Question

We adopted somebody about a month ago, and while he's starting to seem more comfortable here, he's still a bit odd-smelling and perhaps a bit greasy.

It doesn't seem enough to warrant a bath, if we can get him to lick himself a bit more. I think. (Never mind that neither we nor the cat look forward to the idea of a bath.)

Any advice? He's been to the vet; health fine, got neutered, recovered well. He was very prone to hiding at first, and I thought he'd groom more as he got more comfortable, but now I'm not so sure that's going to happen. He's only a year old.

Answer 1

Grind a couple of dried food bits into dust, then sprinkle water on his hair (be careful not to sprinkle his head, otherwise he will hate it!) and sprinkle the food over it. It will smell nice, so he will want to lick it off.

Answer 2

I haven't been happy with the grooming wipes - they smell funny and seem to leave a residue. First, start a routine where you brush him every day around the same time. It will help the cat bond with you and it will help with the greasy fur. To get the cat to groom itself, you don't need to put anything on it but a few drops of water. The water will feel funny and he will groom to get everything back in place. Keep in mind that he may not be able to reach certain places if he has any mobility issues. I had a cat that was overweight and he just couldn't reach the area above his tail.

If you do decide to try bathing the cat, it can be done - I did it for mine all the time. Make sure you have a couple of large bath towels set out. Get a mild shampoo, preferably a pet shampoo. There are special plastic brushes that can be used - my cat loved the soft bristles scrubbing his back. If you can't find them, just use your hands. Brush the cat thoroughly first to remove any loose hair. Make sure the cat is calm before you start, and set aside plenty of time. If you can clip his claws, do so, but if he hates having them trimmed, do it the day before you bathe him so you don't get him worked up. You'll probably want a helper to scruff the cat if it gets too squirmy. If they firmly hold the skin at the scruff of it's neck, you'll have better control. Put on old clothes (the cat is going to try to climb you). Do this in the kitchen sink, with the spray nozzle. Turn the water on and adjust the temperature until it is comfortably hot - not just warm - their body temperature is a little higher than ours, and warm will feel cold to them. Ever have your hair cut and the water is too cool when they wash your hair? It's annoying, and it will be for your cat, too. Turn the water off, then put the cat in the sink facing you. Take a good grasp of the scruff, then turn the water on fairly low. Put the spray nozzle right against his body and spray until he is fully wet, top and bottom. Do NOT wet his head, and stay away from the ears. Turn the water off and add the shampoo, rubbing it around thoroughly. Some shampoos say to leave it sit for several minutes - keep rubbing, as it soothes the cat. Talk to him calmly the whole time. Rinse the shampoo out using the nozzle right up against him again. Make sure you get it all out. Wipe him down with a towel, then wrap him up in a second, dry towel to absorb as much of the water as possible. Some cats will let you blow dry them from a distance, others want nothing to do with that noisy thing. If you have a fireplace, set him in front of it. If not, put him in a small room that has hiding places, close the door, and turn up the heat. You want the room to stay warm, because while he's wet he'll be losing a lot of body heat. Try brushing him gently to get the fur sort of in the right direction. It's just a start - he'll groom himself like crazy to get himself all sorted out.

Answer 3

~Definitely give the cat baths, especially since he's dirty and smelly. If he's a kitten and you keep giving him baths, he'll get used to it. Our cat likes it.
Fill the tub to his neck so it's harder for him to get out, make sure he's good and wet. Drain the water and use a good flea an tick shampoo for cats. Lather him up and leave on according to the manufacturer's directions. You can then pet him and scrub him at the same time, even though he is not in the bathtub. Fill the tub up again and rinse well.
Once he's clean, he might actually enjoy licking himself. Be sure to keep him warm afterwadss, keep him wrapped up in a towel. Brushing is also good after a bath, makes his coat nice and smooth and they usually like it.!

Answer 4

I'm surprised the vet didn't think there was a problem. Cats who don't groom themselves are usually sick. But you might try changing his diet and see if that helps. If it was me though, I'd take hiim back or take him to another vet.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Maybe show it videos or DVDs with other cats grooming thenmselves... it might follow suit?

Answer 6

i would wipe him down with a warm damp washcloth or buy some of those "pet wipes" (you can even get them at walmart)...they look like baby wipes and you just wipe him down....they work great!!

Answer 7

Please groom him your self a good way to bond with your cat
Also your cat sounds depressed.....Always show your pets love or don't have one!

Answer 8

Hve you tried brushing him? That might get him going.