Cat Not Cleaning Back Legs

[xcourtney3]

I have two cats, they will be 9 in November. They have both been to the vet and had blood work and are completely healthy. My girl has started peeing on herself. She will go into the litter box and pee, but it will get all over her back legs, and she doesn't clean it off. She is overweight @ 14lbs. I've been trying to get her to lose weight for 4 years and this is the lowest she's gotten. She eats only canned food. I've tried 200cals, 190cals, 180cals, 150cals, and now she's getting 135cals. It doesn't make a difference to her weight.

A few months ago my boy was putting up a fuss every time we tried to clip his nails. We started him on CBD for unrelated reasons and he let us clip his nails again. We ran out of CBD and he's back to freaking out. I've started him back on CBD last night. Our best guess is that his paws hurt because he doesn't freak until you push the nail out.

Anyway, I'm wondering if you guys think my girl is having a hard time moving/pain too. She's been fat a long time and has always been able to clean herself so it isn't that.

 

[Furballsmom]

She might be struggling to reach that area, yes.
Some people like hypoallergenic fragrance free wipes (definitely not baby wipes) or you could clean her with simply water.

Can you get her to move more/play more? A laser light, or Da Bird?

 

[Furballsmom]

Something like this; Earthbath no fragrance hypo allergenic green tea pet wipes

 

[xcourtney3]

She looks good from the top but she looks so fat when she's laying down lol

 

[Furballsmom]

To me she doesn't look fat, but in any case, if she's a bit stiff and can't clean herself well, it would be good if you can help her out.

There are adult body condition charts, and if you can feel a thin layer over her ribs when you lightly touch them, she's in good shape.

Assessing Your Cat’s Body Condition | Cat Advice

 

[xcourtney3]

This is her laying down

The vet isn't concerned because her blood work is perfect, but I worry

 

[xcourtney3]

She does have loose skin, she used to be 17-18lbs

 

[Furballsmom]

Yeah, if you can gently work with her to get her more active?
Would you consider a joint supplement?

 

[xcourtney3]

What supplement do you suggest?

 

[Furballsmom]

Also if you do get her to be more active watch to see if she becomes more hungry. You seriously don't want to underfeed her, that's almost worse than overfeeding.
I'm assuming your vet is aware of your weight loss schedule? Or are you saying your vet doesn't think she needs to lose more weight?

 

[Furballsmom]

I use Petnaturals hip & joint treats, but there are other brands, also liquid. Vetriscience is another brand to look at...

 

[tabbytom]

xcourtney3 , putting all health issues aside, is the litter in the litter box deep enough and is it clumping fast enough?

If your kitty drinks a lot or is well hydrated, she'll pee a lot if she holds her pee for a long time in a day. Meaning, she does not pee frequent in small amount.

So if the litter is not deep enough and does not clump fast enough, the pee will over flow and her hind legs will be wet due to the amount of pee.

 

[silkenpaw]

She’s a beautiful cat.

If she pees over her legs no matter what, you might consider shaving that area so it’s easier for you to clean.

 

[jen]

Could she be arthritic and not able to reach back there to groom?

 

[xcourtney3]

I think that is the problem. She's never been a great cleaner (her brother loves bathing her lol) but this just started after I stopped the CBD a few months ago.

 

[xcourtney3]

She’s a beautiful cat.

Thank you! She's my little girl

 

[LAL]

This is her laying down

The vet isn't concerned because her blood work is perfect, but I worry

This is her laying down

The vet isn't concerned because her blood work is perfect, but I worry

I agree with my vet office, Melody needs to lose a couple of pounds. She cleans herself fine, but I can see that it could be an issue if she gains more. [Wish I could say it is just her white tummy making her look fat...]