Cat not washing itself properly? Help!

[LassoOfTruth]

My cat, male, neutered, approx 7 years old. He’s a fair bit overweight, and refuses to go outside since we got him in November. I’m hoping I can coax him out when the weather is better because I’m worried he’s under-stimulated and he needs exercise.
But anyway the issue is that he’s always got a very smelly bottom, and sometimes it looks kind of dirty - fur a bit matted even. I don’t remember previous cats having this problem.
We use clumping litter in his tray. He gets fed mainly pouches of meaty chunks in jelly with some dry food on the side. Always has fresh water available.
Does anyone have any experience of this? I want to let him sit on me, he’s desperate for attention, but atm he’s just too stinky :-(

if he is longhaired then a vet nurse can do a hygiene shave around his bottom, is he able to clean himself if he is a bit overweight, does he have trouble with his bones or joints. what exercise is he getting at home, does he have things to climb on. poor cat, he won't like being stinky. have you checked with the vet that he doesn't have urine infection or blocked anal glands.

If he's not grooming himself, you probably should get a vet checkup to rule out arthritis or other causes of stiffness/pain. Also skin conditions and dietary/gastrointestinal issues should be ruled out.
Regardless of cause, it might be an idea to keep the hair around his bum clipped short if it's regularly becoming soiled with faeces - at best he may get skin infections, at worst (I hate to say it) - maggots.

Thanks yes I think I will call the vet. I’ve only noticed it last week or so. He’s a shorthair tabby and he does groom himself, it’s like he’s just not quite managing that area for some reason? He’s perfectly agile, climbs furniture, chases his toy mice etc so hopefully not in joint pain or anything. Good idea about getting them to clip his hair a bit though. I think it’d do him so much good to go outside but now he’s finally got a home it seems he doesn’t want to leave the hearth side!

Our cat sometimes gets this. He's an ex street cat so always eats as though it's his last meal. He has such a sad little face that I do overcompensate for his, up to now, shitty life by giving him extra biscuits.
Anyway, he's perfectly healthy and agile but us simply a tad too fat to reach his bottom!
He's a short hair so I just use some wipes from pets at home specifically designed for cats that need that little bit of help.
Now that the warmer weather is on its way, I'm hoping he'll lose a bit of weight.
The one thing we do is add a bit of water to his wet food, just to make sure he drinks enough so that he can poo easier

Thanks @jamfirstcreamsecond I suspect my boy is similar - he’s not been with us long and was supposedly semi-feral before that. He’s affectionate but still a bit skittish and has a tendency to bite. I’m definitely going to have to work up to wiping him! I suppose I could wear the gloves I use when dealing with some of the farm animals lol. He’s lucky he’s so cute because he’s shown no interest in catching the mice either.

You can just use warm water and cotton wool pads, we used a drop of apple blossom cat shampoo

Get the vet nurses to do a hygiene trim.