Why does my cat not groom himself anymore?

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caroline l

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He's 14yrs old, has kidney failure and a lump in his mouth that might be cancer. He just won't wash himself at all, and his fur gets all knotted underneath. We of course brush and groom him ourselves, he's a very pampered cat.

thanks!
 
Cats stop grooming for the following reasons:
1) Extreme discomfort or pain (can be the kidneys hurt....or can be arthritis in some cats for ex.)
2) When they are overweight they often can't REACH well enough to groom properly
3). As cats age, they lose teeth. Teeth are how they
pull apart the tangles. Without all their teeth, they cannot get rid of the mats-they simply don't have that capability.

It's important that you maintain his grooming for him.
Mats can cause severe open wounds underneath the mat that can become infected, painful, and dangerous to his overall health.

Poor baby. He sounds like he's in quite a bit of pain.
Cancer is horrible and kidney disease quite painful.
I'm glad he has you and that you are devoted to helping his last years be loving ones.
 
Take him to the vet cause when cats stop grooming themselves there is usually something wrong.
 
im sorry your cat is poorly that is probably why he,s not grooming his self, just doesn't feel well,keep pampering him
 
Some cats aren't groomers!
I have a houseful of slobby cats who groom little themselves, but a couple who'll groom each other.

Years ago I had a batch of rescued cats that were all so clean!
They'd groom selves (face washing and all) and then even the dogs' faces!

So depends on the cat's personality/trait.
 
Ah poor thing! I think when cats don't groom themselves it can be a sign that something is wrong, maybe he is feeling too poorly to do it? At least he has a loving family to look after him! :0) x x
 
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