Q: My cat used to be incredibly fastidious, licking herself until her coat gleamed. But that has dropped off precipitously, and we can’t figure out why. She is on the older side — we think about 9 or 10 — but certainly not near the end of life. Why would a cat who used to be so particular about self-grooming let herself go?
Treeni Marks
Leadville, Colorado
Dear Ms. Marks,
A: Sometimes a drop-off in grooming can be a sign of pain. Consider that to reach various spots on her body with her tongue and claws, a cat has to curl herself into various positions. It’s kind of like feline pilates. If a cat is feeling hobbled by arthritis or some other condition, it can be difficult to engage in the moves necessary. Engaging in any habit can be difficult when there’s pain, even if the pain isn’t limiting movement. Pain just tends to zap energy.
If there has been a dramatic shift in your cat’s willingness to clean herself — or a dramatic shift in any of her other usual habits — it may be prudent to schedule a veterinary visit to see what’s up.
