Why isn't my cat grooming her anal area despite being able to reach?

Question

I have a gorgeous maincoon/calico mix with one eye. Took her to vet a few weeks ago bc she wasn’t grooming herself at all in anal area. No tapeworms. She was 12.2 lbs. then. I have put her on a major diet from what her foster mom was feeding her. I have gotten Pretty Litter. I have tried all I know to do. She still won’t groom herself down there and she can reach it all. I’ve seen her. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 5 years and 10 months old | 12 lbs

Christie Long, DVM · Accepted Answer

Tink is definitely gorgeous! I'm glad you've gotten her to lose some weight, however sounds like that's not the reason she's a poor groomer - we know this now that we know she can "reach" that area, but still doesn't. I'd have to wonder how you know that she's not grooming that area - perhaps she has diarrhea and there is residue in that area? Most of the time a cat doesn't have to do much in the way of cleaning back there, unless the stool is abnormal. Submit a fecal sample (I know you said she doesn't have tapeworms, but check for other intestinal parasites as well) and if that's negative, consider a hypoallergenic diet trial. Also, make sure her teeth and mouth are healthy, as dental pain sometimes keeps a cat from grooming normally. Ultimately, she may be a poor groomer and you might have to consider regular grooming visits for what's called a "sanitary clip" to shave the hair in that region.

Why isn't my cat grooming her anal area despite being able to reach?

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