How do I get my cat to clean herself. She is the stinkiest cat that I've ever had. She is almost a year old. I don't have any other cats only a dog. And I can't afford to get another cat just so she can learn that she is a stinky cat and learn how to clean herself. She doesn't do well with baths, what to do?
2007-12-19 13:54:53 · 12 answers · asked by Nat 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The only cats that I have dealt with that have not cleaned themselves properly are either ill, have impacted anal glands, long hair that gets dirty and stinky could also mean that your cat is overweight and cannot reach to clean herself properly.
Make an appointment with the vet to make sure that she does not have the impacted glands or another medical problem. The vet can clean the glands and can actually show you how to to it at home, if that is what is causing the problem.
Another reason that this happens is if the cat was not trained to clean properly by the mother due to injury or illness of the mother cat, or even being orphaned or removed from the mother at too young of an age.
Getting another cat is not going to help at this point, it may have helped when she was a younger kitten. She would have bonded to the other kitten and been more easily trained.
You may have to clean her bottom for her, just her bottom; you do not need to subject her or yourself to the horrors of a bath.
Good luck, I hope you find a solution for you and you cat.
Merry Christmas.
2007-12-19 15:40:34 · answer #1 · answered by Sue F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the Boss said, give her a trim. I would also groom her at least 1x a week(brush/comb her out gently all over. Consider it bonding time.) Have her checked by a vet to be sure she's ok. Maybe her diet might need changing. Also, are you cleaning her teeth? Get some enzymatic toothpaste from your vet. Your cat should have an annual check up & shots. Hopefully she's a neutered indoor cat. I have 2 cats that don't like to clean up as much as I'd like(1 has the nickname "SirDirtyBottom".) Can't say I blame them. Once in a while, when I can't stand it, I fold up a few pieces of kleenex, put a little warm water on them and GENTLY wipe/pat their little stinky butts(and I complain to them while I do it.) I also use a dry folded tissue and pat the indignant cat dry for a second or two. Maybe if you help her groom herself, she MIGHT do it more. I doubt having a second cat, would make her decide to start cleaning up more. It would be a crap shoot on whether the 2nd cat would help her groom herself....
2007-12-19 14:23:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does she not groom herself at all or does she just not clean her rear? Is she overweight? I ask because alot of overweight cats cannot reach back there. If all else fails, they do have a waterless shampoo that you can get at the vet. Its nice for bathing cats, then you dont have to deal with water. It smells nice too and makes their coats shiney and soft. You also might want to have her get checked out. I have a cat that stops cleaning herself every time she gets sick. She doesnt appear sick but if she stop cleaning herself, I know shes coming down with something!
Either way, get the waterless shampoo, you will love it!
2007-12-19 14:06:38 · answer #3 · answered by s w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have some very good answers already, but think I can add something. Poor grooming is also a sign of depression. Cats suffer from depression, just like people, and they do give prozac to cats. If medicine will make her want to clean herself, it would be worth it.
2007-12-19 15:55:26 · answer #4 · answered by La Belle Dame Sans Merci 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Something is wrong with the poor animal. If she smells like poop and it is not on the hair near her anus, something is wrong.
Do take anymore animals in if you cannot afford them.
Do not throw her away, please. Do not bathe her. Find out what the problem is. You can also wipe her body with a warm washcloth which may get her to begin grooming. Also a dab of butter on her nose may trigger cleaning.
2007-12-19 14:04:58 · answer #5 · answered by Owlwoman 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cats don't like baths and you shouldn't give them access amounts of baths.
You simply will have to take a rag and wash her butty. Not all cats are groomers. You have a non groomer.
2007-12-19 15:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by Eagles Fly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a long haired cat I would seriously consider giving her a hair trim in the areas that get dirty. I haven't had this problem with my cats, but that would be my first thought.
2007-12-19 13:59:46 · answer #7 · answered by the Boss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give your cat a "dry bath" by taking your fingers and rubbing a little baking soda into her fur, then brush it out later and you will have one fresh-smelling kitty. Baking soda is the best natural deodorizer there is. Works for stinky dogs too.
2007-12-19 14:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am sure that this will sound different but do it that's what I had to do with my cat. Ok you need to clean your cat yourself until she learns how to do it teach it to her.
2007-12-19 14:49:16 · answer #9 · answered by noah l 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
will what can you do. they is no way to make it do something it dose not want to.
will only way is to bath her. but you know that.
maybe it is the shampoo you use of her/him that dose not taste nice so it stopped liking it self.
or it is a odd cat.
2007-12-19 14:01:28 · answer #10 · answered by Dylan M 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋