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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

My cat smells like a dog...

10 replies

fourcorneredcircle · 11/01/2017 13:39

Ok, so I know that if a cat smells certain ways it's best to take to the vet. But I always assumed that the smell would be either an unpleasant smell or a sweet smell or even (horrible thought) like decay.

My boy cat has suddenly started smelling like a wet dog. He is predominantly indoor - in winter he literally goes out for the loo for ten mins AM although the cat flap is unlocked all day - In summer he'll be out for hours at a time.

He hasn't come in wet at all the last few days (I've been off sick) and we've not changed his diet. He's six years old and he's eating/drinking like normal. The vet saw him just before Christmas for yearly vaccines and checked his mouth/teeth with no signs of issues.

I gave him a good groom yesterday but that doesn't seem to have helped. Is it just that he's too lazy to groom properly at the moment or should I be worried?

Thanks.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/01/2017 13:58

I assume he's neutered?

fourcorneredcircle · 11/01/2017 13:59

Yup, he is.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/01/2017 14:14

Have you noticed any other cats in the area?

(Big mean toms sometimes 'make mistakes' if there are no receptive females available.)

fourcorneredcircle · 11/01/2017 14:19

Lots of other cats around, very possible!

Anything I should do? I've never bathed a cat... seems an odd idea!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/01/2017 14:30

Is his cat flap a microchip one? (If not, you can't always be certain who is 'visiting' while you're out of the house - or asleep.)

fourcorneredcircle · 11/01/2017 14:33

Yes, a micro chip one. Girl cat uses it too - similar usage patterns to him.

I wold say I see two other cats fairly regularly, but I'm sure there are others.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/01/2017 14:42

Maybe he's found a really smelly 'something' or place to go then. Or maybe he doesn't mind having some tom 'making a mistake' with him. Wink I'd see how it goes for a few days - assuming it's not so rank that you can't be in the same house as him. (Also assuming he's otherwise fine eg eating/drinking/evacuating normally and generally bright eyed and bushy tailed.)

mistermagpie · 11/01/2017 14:44

My cats had ear mites and smelled at bit 'animaly' at the same time, Im not sure how/if the two were connected but when I treated the mites the smell went away. Worth a look in his ears?

cozietoesie · 11/01/2017 14:49

Fair point. Smile

fourcorneredcircle · 11/01/2017 14:50

Thanks both.

Very possible he likes the attention... he's a mysterious beast at the best of times ;)

I'll have a look in his ears too. I'll wait until he wakes up though, I value the skin on my hands!

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