Why don't some cats wash?

[verity]

Me neither... but I did wonder if he might have left mummy too soon... bless him. He's just come in now, and is filthy! I only hop I can get number three in, who's taken to wandering- not been seen since yesterday morning!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

he only ever washes his face, paws, 'bits' and tail!

Well that's the important bits then!    Be grateful he's washing those 

Seriously though, I've not had a cat who hasn't washed himself very thoroughly all over.

[Den]

Memphis was found at 3 weeks of age and hand reared. He washes for England. The boy is super, super clean  He's always washing himself and has 1-2 thoroughly good and very lengthly washes every day. He's even cleaning his feet/legs as I type.

[Janeyk]

My cat Shui hardly washes, it's worse because he has a very runny nose so I have to bathe him - he is an old cat though and a bit stiff, we have only had him 3 yrs but I somehow doubt he has ever washed much.  Of the cats we have had the girls have washed the most, Penny was spotless and used to dust down all round the tray after Squeaky had been in, radiators and the lot 

[blackcat]

kittens who are separated from their mothers and siblings too young often show signs of lack of skill. Washing is one of the first lessons they learn, but if he lost his mom aroun 5 weeks, the chances are he was never taught. All cat behaviour is a combination of learned and inbred behaviour. But a kitten taken from its mother too soon, often has gaps in its learnings ...

[verity]

Well, that's very reassuring! I suppose at least he's not over washing!

[Millys Mum]

George never washed much of himself, he started with his chin then down one front leg until it met a back foot then along that to his tail. Job done 

Some cats are just more inclined to wash, like some humans 

[Lynds]

lol...sounds like a dirty wee boy lol..

I have no idea though..

Lynds

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Maybe they just dont taste nice 

[verity]

We have three cats- two neutered toms and a spayed queen. The younger of the three cats is a real grub- he likes to play in the compost heap, and is a phenominal hunter. The issue is, he only ever washes his face, paws, 'bits' and tail! His rear legs are filthy- Smudge, the queen, and 'top cat' of the house often pins him down and licks him, though whether this is because she's sick of the grubby boycat, or if it's just a queen thing, I don't know. Is it possible, do you think that he's never been taught? Or that he just doesn't care?!