Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got a Maine Coon kitten with all the usual long hair, gray with white paws, last summer from a rescue group. We love her to death, but she will NOT groom herself. Not one lick since we brought her home. We take her to the groomer every other month for bath & brushing. The very experienced groomer says she has never seen this except in older, sickly cats.

Any ideas why this is, or what we can do about it? We brush her regularly, but it's not the same as if she were doing it herself.

I know many rescue groups will not spay a cat until she is 2 pounds. Our cat was 1.5 pounds when we got her (8 weeks) and was already spayed. She's 10 months old now. Any chance that spaying her too early caused her wires to get crossed?? Thanks.

Hi There,

It's possible that your cat was taken from her mom too soon, or that she was bottle-raised. Either way she might end up without knowing how to groom herself. An occasional cat just doesn't do it, for unknown reasons.

My cat, Ella, was abandoned as a young kitten, about 4 weeks of age, and she has no idea how to groom. Thankfully, she has short hair so matting isn't a problem. In the past, I have had other non-grooming cats.

Being spayed while under 2 pounds wouldn't be a factor. The danger of doing surgery on such a tiny kitten would be related to anesthesia. Perhaps the vet that did the spay normally does them in such small kittens and it is routine for him or her.

Regards,
PHKitkat