Why Is My Cat Not Grooming?

They’re thorough, detailed, and meticulous; when it comes to grooming, cats like to bring their A-game! The tiny barbs on their tongue make the perfect comb to keep all that fantastic fur in just the right place. But beyond just looking sharp, cat grooming habits are vital to their daily routine. Frequent grooming helps cats keep their fur and skin clean and healthy by spreading natural oils and removing dirt and dander. It also aids in temperature regulation through the cooling effects of saliva evaporation. 

If your cat suddenly stops grooming, then something isn’t right. Cats are masters at hiding health problems. A cat not grooming can be a sign of underlying issues that a veterinarian should investigate. 

Here we’ll discuss signs indicating your cat is not grooming as much, potential reasons this happens, and the next steps to help your cat feel better and get back in the grooming groove.

Signs Your Cat Isn’t Grooming Enough

Cats groom daily, especially after eating or around nap time. If your cat stops grooming, is grooming less than usual, or neglecting to groom certain areas, their coat will soon begin to show it.

Signs your cat isn’t grooming enough include:

• Greasy coat
• Clumpy or matted fur all over or in certain areas
• Dirty/stained coat (easier to see in light-colored cats)
• Build-up of dander and debris
• An odor 
• Skin irritation, wounds, or infection if matting becomes severe

Why Is My Cat Not Grooming? 6 Potential Reasons

If your cat looks more like “something the cat dragged in” rather than a well-coiffed kitty, something might be up with their grooming habits. A cat may stop grooming for many reasons, but typically it stems from an issue affecting their ability to groom. 

Here are potential reasons a cat may stop grooming:

Arthritis

For many cats, contorting into a pretzel for a full-body groom is a piece of cake, thanks to their fantastic flexibility.  But achy, stiff joints can make grooming difficult, painful, or impossible. Most senior cats have some degree of osteoarthritis, which causes painful joint inflammation and degeneration and reduced mobility, flexibility, and muscle strength. 

Since cats often hide pain, arthritis isn’t always easy to detect. Pet parents may notice things like matted and unkempt fur, irritability, sleeping more, and decreased jumping and play. Achy joints may not totally prevent grooming, but arthritic cats may neglect harder-to-reach spots, such as the lower back, hips, hind end, and back legs.

Oral Disease

As you can imagine, anything that causes a painful mouth could impact your cat’s grooming ability. 

When it comes to slower-moving, chronic oral conditions, cats may not show obvious signs of pain in the early stages, even if it is painful. 

Periodontal disease is the most common oral health issue in cats and can start as young as 3 years old. Without regular home and veterinary dental care, most cats develop periodontitis (inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth due to plaque and tartar). Over time, this becomes advanced periodontitis, which is painful and leads to infection and tooth loss.

Tooth resorption is another common feline dental issue, unrelated to oral hygiene. This occurs when the body attacks healthy tooth tissue, creating expanding holes in affected teeth until they eventually dissolve (resorb). Resorptive lesions can be very painful, and their exact cause is still unknown.

Aggressive oral diseases, like mouth cancer and stomatitis,  tend to move quickly and cause more acute and severe symptoms.

Signs of oral disease in cats to look out for include:

• Dropping food
• Poor or picky appetite
• Weight loss
• Poor coat due to decreased grooming 
• Bad breath 
• Red inflamed gums
• Jaw chattering while eating
• Facial swelling
• Drooling 
• Pawing at the mouth
• Chewing only on one side

Pain or Illness

Injuries or systemic diseases (e.g., pancreatitis, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease, or infections) can be debilitating. They can cause a variety of symptoms, such as pain, lethargy, fever, nausea, and more. Whatever the underlying condition, a cat who feels crumby may stop grooming or do so significantly less.  

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a common condition affecting senior cats. It occurs when the thyroid gland secretes excessive thyroid hormone, usually due to a benign thyroid nodule. Without treatment, this condition causes serious symptoms and organ damage. Affected cats develop a poor coat due mainly to hormonal changes, but decreased grooming also plays a role. Affected cats also lose weight despite a ravenous appetite, may have intermittent vomiting, drink and pee excessively, and may show uncharacteristic aggression or agitation. 

Stress 

Cats need to feel safe and in control of their surroundings. They prefer a tranquil place to eat, rest, groom, and use the litter box. For some cats, changes in their routine and environment can bring on major anxiety. To what extent stress affects a cat depends on their temperament, past experience, overall health, and the nature of the stressor. 

Boarding, hospitalization, loud and chaotic environments, young children, new pets, rocky relationships with other pets, and heavy use of strong fragrances or essential oils are a few examples of common stressors for cats. 

If your cat is constantly feeling threatened by a stressor and doesn’t have a quiet, safe place to retreat, their grooming habits may take a hit. 

Obesity 

Obesity has become one of the main health concerns veterinarians see among pets. It can lead to or worsen several health conditions and decrease a pet’s lifespan and quality of life. When it comes to grooming, obesity in cats can make it challenging, if not impossible, for cats to reach certain areas of their body.

Extra weight also adds more stress on joints and promotes inflammation in the body, contributing to painful osteoarthritis. 

Next Steps When Your Cat Is Not Grooming

If you notice your cat not grooming as much, it’s important to bring this to your veterinarian’s attention, especially if accompanied by other signs, such as a cat not eating or grooming, or a cat not grooming and losing weight. The reason your cat is not grooming isn’t always obvious and usually requires some detective work by your veterinarian.

When you bring your cat to the vet clinic, they will ask you questions about your cat and your concerns. They will check you cat’s weight and body condition and compare it to previous check-ups. If your cat is overweight, your veterinary team will guide you on safe, effective weight-loss strategies. 

Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam, checking your cat from nose to tail. They will evaluate your cat for dental issues; pain, mobility concerns or stiff joints; lung and cardiovascular health; skin, coat, and claw health, lumps and bumps, organ abnormalities, and many other important health indicators. 

Your veterinarian may recommend running urine and blood tests, including a urinalysis, complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, and a thyroid test if they suspect hyperthyroidism. Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests, depending on the specific concerns with your cat. For example, they might conduct imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasound to investigate further for internal diseases. 

Since there are many potential causes for a cat to stop grooming, the testing, management, and outcome vary considerably.  

How to Help a Cat Who Isn’t Grooming

Alongside a veterinary care plan, you can give your kitty a hand with grooming until they feel up to it. Depending on your cat’s health, this extra TLC may become part of your regular routine.

For cats who aren’t grooming enough, you can brush them daily if they tolerate it. However, not all cats are ready for a full pampering session. If your cat isn’t used to brushing, introduce it gradually and pick a time when they’re receptive. Gently pass a slicker brush in the direction of fur growth (head to tail) and around their neck and chin (many cats enjoy rubbing their cheeks against a brush). End the session before they’re annoyed and use praise and treats to keep things positive.

Unless your cat’s very dirty or covered with something hazardous, a bath is probably too stressful for a sick or sore cat. You can, however, give your kitty a mini-sponge bath. Using a warm, damp washcloth, gently pass it over their face, concentrating around the chin, lips, outer eye area, and ears. Some cats find this very soothing but don’t force it if it’s not appreciated. And don’t forget to check their paws and claws for any debris, or overgrown claws. 

Even if your cat is healthy and an adept self-groomer, it’s a good idea to brush them regularly. This has many benefits, including keeping their skin and coat healthy and reducing the fur they shed and ingest (helps with hairballs). It also gives you and your feline friend some bonding time. Regular brushing is especially important for long-haired cats since their high-maintenance coat is prone to matting. Aim to brush short-haired cats weekly and long-haired cats several times a week or ideally daily.

Matted fur requires extra caution. Mats are clumpy tangles of fur that become tight to the skin and painful. If left unchecked, cats with severe matting can develop skin irritations, wounds, and infections. Mats around the genitals can result in the trapping of urine and feces. 

If your cat has a few loose mats, try gently combing them out with a wide-tooth comb. More severe matting requires clippers for removal. While tempting, never cut mats out with scissors, since it’s hard to see where mats end and skin begins. This article explains all the ins and outs of grooming your cat with matted fur. 

If your cat has a lot of tight mats, it’s probably time to seek veterinary help. If appropriate, your veterinarian can give your cat sedation. This ensures your cat is not stressed or in pain while the vet shaves the mats. Once free of mats, your cat will feel a lot better, and you can start a regular grooming routine as their fur grows in (bonus: they will look like a million bucks sporting a fresh lion cut). 

Bottom Line

It sure would be nice if cats could tell us how they’re feeling! But in reality, we need to look for more subtle clues about their health. Since your cat’s grooming habits are an important health indicator, watching for changes to their coat and grooming routine can alert you to potential problems, so you can get your beloved companion the care they need.