Cat not grooming himself

Yumi
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Hi everyone, I don't post on cat forums very often, but I’m here because my cat just won't groom himself. He plays outside and sometimes gets a bit of mud on him and... simply doesn't clean it off!?!? I’m the one who has to clean him with a flannel. To make matters worse, he plays with my dog, so he’s often covered in a bit of slobber, and then he comes to rub against me for cuddles—except he's all slimy and it doesn't seem to bother him one bit. He’ll stay like that for days until I finally clean him myself.

Does anyone know what might be causing this behaviour?

And is there any way to change it?

Translated from French
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4 answers
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    • J
    Jimeo33 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, I’d like to share this video about training cats with behavioural issues, it’s very interesting: https://shrinke.me/o4uo

    Best wishes

    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
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    It’s possible that his own mother wasn’t groomed much by her own mother, and so she didn’t groom her kitten much either. Mothers who are big on grooming their kittens tend to raise cats who groom themselves a lot throughout their lives. As long as a cat isn’t showing any health problems, and is eating, drinking, sleeping, playing, using their litter tray and isn't hiding away, then they're healthy. It’s possible that if you didn’t step in to clean him, he’d eventually get around to grooming himself, but just a bit later — sort of a "when I feel like it, not before" situation.
    Translated from French
    Yumi
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    My cat was born in my barn and was always with his mum—she was feral but we used to feed her—right up until she pushed him away at about 4 months old. He’s eight months old now, and now that you mention it, I think he did used to groom himself before. Not long ago, he had cat flu and was treated for it; could that be the cause? If not, what other health problems could it be?
    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
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    Hi,

    A lack of grooming usually boils down to two main causes:

    - The kitten was separated from its mother too early. It’s the mother who teaches them how to groom by licking them.

    - A health issue. In this case, the cat used to groom themselves but has now stopped.

    Translated from French

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