Will It Hurt My Cat If He Has A Little Poop On His Bum And He Licks It Off?

[iheartlife]

My cat was really constipated so the vet gave him an enema. He had diarrhea on his bum when he got home which I wiped off the best I could. I ended up giving him a bum bath (instead of a full bath). He still has some diarrhea. He long haired so it is clinging to his tail and hind end. I've been wiping it off the best I can each time, but there's still a little left behind- no pieces or big globs, but enough to make his white fur yellowish. I just had surgery a few days ago and am not supposed to be bending or lifting anything over 10 lbs so I don't have the strength right now to give him a bum bath each time he has some more diarrhea. The vet said it should subside in a day or two. Will he be okay if I wipe him down the best I can until it subsides and then give him a bum bath once it stops. If he ends up ingesting some will it hurt him? How much could he safely clean off himself? I'm cleaning him the best I can with a wet wash cloth but there's still some left each time. Is it harmful enough I need to get it all off every time or will he be okay if he ends up cleaning a little off of himself? If I need to for his health's sake, I will try to bathe him thoroughly each time, but as I said I just have surgery on my stomach and am not supposed to be bending or lifting. Please also let me know if you have any better cleaning tips than a warm wet wash cloth.

 

[Columbine]

It's absolutely fine for him to clean poop off himself - it's what cats are meant to do! My (shorthair) girl gets cling-ons from time to time, and HATES it when I clean her up. Usually I'll get a wipe or two in, and she'll then start cleaning the rest off herself.

I tend to use unscented/unmedicated baby wipes (Water Wipes is my preferred brand) rather than a washcloth, simply because it's easier and they're disposable. They're a bit softer than a washcloth too - definitely a good thing, especially for sore bums like your boy's must be right now.

Have you thought of asking your vet (or vet tech) or a cat groomer to clip his back end? It's called a sanitary clip. You might even be able to get a mobile groomer or a vet/vet tech to come to your house - helpful as you shouldn't be lifting things at the moment It sounds like it might help him (and you) a lot, especially right now. It's pretty commonly done for longhaired cats, and really does make a difference to them keeping themselves clean.

I hope your boy feels better soon, and that you heal up from your surgery quickly and well