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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.

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Original poster

Cat licking himself down below - TMI

16 replies

Ski37 · 21/05/2017 19:56

Just looking for a bit of advice. I've noticed over the past couple of days that my male neutered cat has been grooming himself more frequently down below. Today I interrupted him and saw that he'd actually been licking his penis . I don't know if this is what he had been doing the previous times as I've never seen it before this evening ( I told you there was TMI!) I'd been out for a few hours so checked his litter and he hasn't peed in it since this morning - there is normally at least one 'clump' by this time and there was also no litter scattered on the floor which is usually a giveaway as he digs for England when using the tray.
One the one hand I've been letting him outside morning and evening so he could be peeing outside but on the other hand I've heard that male cats are prone to urethral obstruction and over grooming their 'bits' can be a sign along with not using the litter tray!
He seems well in himself and has let me have a feel of his tummy- I can't feel a bladder and it didn't bother him.
I'm probably being a bit over anxious as I'm due to go away for a few days this week with a cat sitter coming in but the grooming of his nether regions so much is definitely new!
I've decided to watch and wait.... is this reasonable? Or do I just have a pervert for a cat?

OP posts:

TheCatOfAthenry · 21/05/2017 21:11

Had the same thing with a girl cat a few weeks back, including growling at her bottom, which was definitely not worm related.

Phoned vet and he said as long as she was happy and eating and drinking and not crying in the box, I could just wait and see.

I'm a people doctor so inclined to feel a bit out of my depth in comparison when faced with an animal and can over-worry!

If he's a young cat, could he be just 'discovering himself'?

TheCatOfAthenry · 21/05/2017 21:11

(Even though he is neutered? My friend's puppy was like this.)

Original poster

Ski37 · 21/05/2017 21:41

TheCatOfAthenry thanks for the reply- I am also a 'people doctor' so I am completely with you with feeling completely out of my depth when it comes to animals and I definitely over worry!!!
The cat is currently scarfing down his food and hasn't shown any distress so from a medical ( human) point of view I'd say he was fine!
My worried cat owner says he hasn't wee'd yet so we are still watching with baited breath ....
He could just be being contrary though ... he will probably have the biggest we in the world when I go to bed!!!!

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 21/05/2017 21:48

I don't think you're over-worrying at all. Urinary crystals/blockage was my first thought. Don't let him outside until you are sure what is going on. If he hasn't peed by tomorrow and he's still doing the licking thing take him to the vet. In fact if it were me I'd be taking him right now, but I realise that late on a Sunday evening isn't the easiest/cheapest time to find a vet.

katsnmouse · 21/05/2017 21:52

If he is eating/drinking and seems ok in self I would adopt a 'watch and wait' policy. You need to check that he is peeing ok- see if the litter tray stays dry overnight. If so then trip to the vet asap. If he becomes lethargic, starts yowling when going to pee, vomits or strains unproductively then you need to go ASAP. Anything changed in his environment lately?

Original poster

Ski37 · 21/05/2017 22:19

Thanks for the replys again. I am watching him like a hawk and he seems just as well as ever! He is still drinking ( doing it now ) but he only ever uses the tray when no one is around. He also hasn't 'groomed himself ' since- good sign? As I said before - he has let me feel his tummy and has no discomfort but if there are no wee's by tomorrow he's going to the vet!

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 21/05/2017 22:27

Op, I'm a peadiatric nurse and I totally get what you mean. It's all I can do not to keep a fluid balance chart and I start worrying if I don't scoop as much as usual out of the litter tray. Humans are far less worrying!

TheCatOfAthenry · 21/05/2017 22:28

Lots of us are medically inclined here, it would appear!

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 21/05/2017 22:30

Please stop watching him!!
The poor lad is entitled to some private time!!

ElizaDontlittle · 22/05/2017 19:23

Me three - I took mine for what turned out to be an unnecessary vet trip and the vet said, oh, it's just like paediatrics really to which I said firstly - with claws! - and secondly - that's why I chose an adult specialty!
Have to say I'm impressed that you felt his tummy and couldn't feel a bladder - it never crossed my mind to try (maybe see point 1 about claws!!)

caffeinestream · 22/05/2017 20:06

If you're worried, I would take him for a check-up. Crystals/blockages can get nasty very fast if they're left.

still shuddering over the five day stay at the vet and £1000+ bill from when my old cat had crystals

BrexitSucks · 22/05/2017 20:24

One of mine does this chronically (total perv).
My boy cats did it when I was a kid & never seemed to have something wrong with them.

Original poster

Ski37 · 22/05/2017 20:49

He'd done a big wee in the litter tray this morning and is still absolutely fine in himself. Maybe he is just a perv! He's going to the vet next week anyway so I'll mention it to them then.

OP posts:

caffeinestream · 22/05/2017 20:52

Ah good to hear!

reallyanotherone · 22/05/2017 20:54

It's completely normal. Just grooming.

Original poster

Ski37 · 23/05/2017 20:03

Thanks for the replies! Update- cat is still well and weeing normally, the pervy grooming seems to have stopped too! I've just let him outside again for the first time since the weekend ... I'm regretting it a bit now though as he's just caught his first bird. It looks like a sparrow, not just out of the nest but still young- I feel awful but then again he's just a cat being a cat! He looked so pleased with himself and very put out when I wrapped it up and disposed of it. I guess it makes a change from the sticks he's been bringing me so far!

OP posts:

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