How Do I Get My Cat to Clean Himself?
Cats are known for their self-grooming skills, spending up to 50% of their waking time grooming themselves. It’s one of their main hobbies, so when you see your cat’s coat looking less than spotless, it can be a bit of a shock.
Grooming is a very natural behaviour in cats and many kittens learn to groom themselves from their mothers. Keeping their fur clean is a necessity to their survival. So, when you adopt a new kitten, it’s important to help them acquire the habit of grooming themselves in order to ensure their health and happiness.
If your cat’s coat is getting a little too much tangle, try to gently untangle it with a brush or comb. Use a gentle hand and don’t snag the fur, as this can lead to irritation.
Keep your cat’s ears cleaned with ear cleaner on a regular basis to prevent infections and ear mites. This will also help your cat avoid having ear pain and discomfort.
Wash the backside of your cat’s coat with a wet cloth to remove any dander and other debris. Make sure to clean the entire area, including under the tail and legs.
The best way to get your cat to groom themselves is to make it a daily activity. Using rewards such as food, toys or a scratching post will make it more enjoyable.
If your cat isn’t cleaning themselves as often as you would like, it could be due to pain or an underlying health condition. A painful joint, dental disease or gum inflammation can cause a cat to stop grooming themselves, which is why it’s important to visit your vet for diagnosis and treatment.
A change in their environment is another possible reason for a change in their grooming habits. If you move to a different house, move to a new city, or add a new pet or family member, your cat might feel disorientated and struggle to come to terms with the change.
This might affect their sleep pattern and eating habits. It’s a good idea to stick to their normal feeding schedule and to the same location, so that your cat doesn’t get confused or start experimenting with new behaviours.
Depending on what is causing the change, you might find that you need to make some small changes to your home. For example, you can install a barrier to keep your cat from going outside or try to give them a new litter box.
It’s also a good idea to keep your cat on a high-fiber diet so that they can produce firm stools and avoid stool tangles, which can cause discomfort. Supplements such as Glandex can support anal gland expression and help them get the tangle-free, healthy bowel that they crave.
You can also introduce a specialized cat shampoo into your washing routine. These products are designed to be gentle on your cat’s skin and can be used to wash hard-to-reach areas, such as behind the ears.
