Is there a reason why a young cat would stop cleaning itself?

[Hassled]

5 year old healthy neutered female - always been a bit skittish and neurotic.

We went on holiday for 2 weeks and while normally get a friend who she's very familiar with to come in and feed them, this time a different friend's (quite loud) teenage boys came in - they say she spent most of the time behind the sofa (not somewhere she normally goes). So I don't know if that's what's freaked her out - but she seemed very pleased to see us when we got back, and was clean then (Sat night).

Sunday morning she appears looking like she's climbed a chimney. And she's stayed that way - she's filthy, and not on parts she can't reach - her face and paws (normally white) are covered in grime. Do I clean her? Why doesn't she realise?

[Fluffycloudland77]

She sounds stressed tbh, cats don't like strangers in their homes and I've noticed a lot don't like men.

So a loud teenage male isn't ideal as a holiday feeder.

As long as she eats and drinks that's the main thing. FAB approved catterys are very good, we used one for our Bengal who's nervous around new people and he took to it.

[Hassled]

Thanks - do you think once she relaxes and realises we're home to stay she'll start cleaning herself again? How long do I give it?

[Hassled]

.