Expert: Norman Auspitz - 8/1/2009

Question
Hi There

I am a fairly experienced cat person.  I am fostering a very thin queen with 5 kittens. She was wormed 2 weeks ago and after seeing segments, we treated her for tapeworms a week ago.  She won't eat wet food so we are giving her Science Diet kitten food.  All 5 kittens seem healthy and at 3 weeks old are using the litter box, covering their poo and nibbling on wet food.

The big problem is momcat.  Her stools are soft and when she defecates she IMMEDIATELY drops down and sits in it and scoots around in it. Yuck!!  She also rarely bothers to cover her deposits.

I am washing her many times a day.  She tolerates this with good grace and even allowed me to clip her butt hair...however...she stinketh!

My husband is ready to disallow fosters if they are going to smell so bad.  I have washed her with gentle soap and water and used baby wipes in the hopes that this will encourage her to clean herself.  No luck.  My daughter, who is a new vet was just here for a visit and doesn't think there is an anal gland issue. Any ideas on how to get momcat to keep herself as tidy as she keeps her offspring?

Answer
Lynne,

I am wondering if she is still itching back there from the tapeworm problem.  It sounds to me as if you have done most of the correct things.  Her behavior is not normal for any cat unless there is a medical issue. I would still see a vet to see if there are other intestinal upsets. Although not all cats cover their deposits, the behavior of pooping, sitting in it, and scooting is not normal!!!!! She may need a thorough butt bath using a fairly strong shampoo, like a human clarifying shampoo.  Also, at 3 weeks, the kittens can be starting the weaning process and, as soon as they are weaned, mama can be moved to a different area of the household.

Sometimes, if you put something like butter or tuna oil in an area, that may encourage the cat to clean herself where the butter or tuna oil was spread. Be aware, she could make it an even bigger mess.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.