My cat does not clean itself: find out what are the possible causes for this behavior

 Anyone who is a cat tutor knows that he spends a lot of time doing body hygiene. However, when this doesn't happen, many tutors may have the following question: what can it be when my cat doesn't clean itself ?

Today, we are going to talk more about this subject, since when the cat fails to clean itself, it can be a cause for concern. Learn all about "why doesn't my cat clean itself?".

Why is my cat not cleaning itself?

The cat learns to clean itself from a very early age, usually with the feline mother, as she cleans the young almost all the time. Pets taken from their mother very early tend to learn this alone or in the company of other cats. 

So it's completely natural for a cat to clean itself, but when it doesn't, it can pose a problem. When he is still a puppy, there may be a few reasons. See below.

The cat was raised by a tutor

Often, the kitten lost its feline mother too soon. In this case, when he finds a tutor, the person in charge takes care of feeding him, but cannot teach him to clean himself .

The feline mother was not in the habit of cleaning the cubs

Although very rare, sometimes the feline mother herself may experience some difficulty after giving birth. In that case, she doesn't clean the kitten enough to teach him how to do it himself.

If the puppy is healthy, it just points to the lack of the feline mother or the proper teaching, which is why he doesn't clean himself. 

Generally, when having contact with other felines, he learns, since the act of the cat licking itself is related to the wild instincts of the felines, who bathed with their tongue after feeding. 

So, if you're worried that your kitten won't lick itself, it can be resolved alone or in the company of other felines. It's just a matter of him needing it.

However, if he is not eating or drinking water, a veterinarian should be consulted to investigate whether there is a health problem.

My adult cat doesn't clean itself

Now, when the cat is an adult and doesn't clean itself or stops doing it all of a sudden, it's a cause for concern. check the most common reasons.

Mouth, teeth and gum problems

If your adult cat has stopped cleaning itself out of nowhere, make sure it doesn't have a problem with its mouth, gums or teeth. Some inflammation, such as gingivitis, can cause pain. Make sure, in addition to not taking the tongue bath, he is eating. 

Joint or lower back pain

An elderly cat may have some joint problems, such as feline osteoarthritis. It causes pain in certain movements, being another reason why the cat stops cleaning itself. With age, the cat can also suffer from lower back pain. Please pay attention to these conditions.

Obesity

Is your cat at the ideal weight? Some overweight cats may fail to perform feline grooming because they can't move around like they used to. Often, the tutor observes the presence of dandruff on the lumbar.

Age

Just like humans, elderly cats can develop certain behaviors due to illness. One of them is failing to cleanse yourself, which is sometimes linked to osteoarthritis pain. Another example is toileting outside the litter box, an issue that must be observed.

Illness

When the cat is sick, it can stop cleaning itself. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of a sick cat , linked to behavior. Sometimes, a cat that is too quiet may need a vet appointment.

Regardless of whether your cat doesn't clean itself , only a veterinarian can investigate the problem. So, know that this behavior is not normal and seek help from an expert.

What are the main reasons cats lick themselves?

Cats don't just lick themselves when they want to bathe with their tongues. There are other reasons for this behavior.

•         The tongue also protects them from external agents, as it traps dirt from the fur, even preventing allergies;

•         When the cat licks itself, it has a neutral odor. Thinking instinctively, smaller cats kept predators away with this behavior;

•         Anyone who has more than one cat should be happy to see one grooming the other, as this is a sign that they accept each other and get along very well.

Today, you understood the reasons why your cat does not clean itself. At any sign of trouble, a veterinarian should be consulted as this behavior is not normal in a feline.