Poor cat hygeine question

[flamingyouth]

I'm sorry if this is gross, but I'm kind of at my wit's end. I have a sweet young male cat named Cubby. He's a short-haired neutered Manx who cannot (or will not) keep his butt clean. It's becoming a problem.

Needless to say, he doesn't care for me washing him. I've tried just getting him a little wet in hopes that he'll clean himself but he never does. I've never seen a cat this slobby before. Is this normal? I've lived with lots and lots of cats, all of whom have been neat freaks. He's indoor only.

When my boyfriend is here (he goes to school out of state) we are able to wash him easier. But he won't be back for three more months, and it's pretty impossible for me to do it on my own.

He's the Pigpen of cats. Help. :o

[CottonBear]

1. Get a pack of gentle, hypo-allergenic baby wipes and wipe his little butt

for him. I have to do this for my fat Cinder cat sometimes. I also clean her chin so she doesn't get kitty acne.

edit: I use the baby wipes on my horse too! They're good for cleaning up small dirty areas like areas that have gotten muddy after I've had to put wound cream on minor cuts and scrapes.

[flamingyouth]

2. OK, I'm going to do just that.

She doesn't mind?

Thanks for the tip. :)

[CottonBear]

3. They don't mind too much. They actually feel better afterwards.

She's sort of fat and it's hard to reach back there plus I don't really think even they want to clean their poopy butt with their tongue! Cats have higher standards than dogs!

I'll do whatever keeps 'em from scooting on the couch! Yuck!

edit: A once daily cleansing wipe should keep him fresh and happy! :)

[Beaverhausen]

5. What a great idea

I'm going to get some for my stinky butt kitties, too!

[CottonBear]

6. Your stinky butt kitties will feel much better and so will you! n/t

[Eurobabe]

4. Good idea, my older cat who is going on 15

is so fat that he cannot bend around to lick his rear. He dribbles and leaves black oily spots on my couch (:mad:) I will try using the baby wipes on him. Thanks for the tip.

We have resorted to giving him a bath more frequently too. But giving him wet food (Newman's Own organic) has made his coat less matty in the back.

[CottonBear]

7. You can clean his butt and his rear furry bits and areas and his paws

with the baby wipes. They are gentle and you can gently wash their chins and faces and other parts for in-between bath cleansings!

Good luck!

[Kashka-Kat]

8. I heard this years ago

Put butter on his butt-- he'll lick it clean and if done periodically he would eventually get in habit of licking there. Never tried it but it could work I guess!!

Does he do ANY grooming at all?