Is this true?

[Bateluer]

Is it true that a cat who likes his owners will take more time to clean himself, combined with overall happiness/cleaniless of the cat's environment, and produce a healthier, shinier looking coat?

I ask because I adopted a cat who was not getting along well with the other cats in the household. Intimidation led him to hide from both the other cats and the owners. Since there were 3 cats in the apartment and both spouses worked 8 hour days 5 days a week, it was difficult for them to show the depressed cat the attention he needed. Also, since he was an older cat, taking him to an animal shelter would result in him spending the rest of his live in a small cage.

Since I adopted him, he's become much more outgoing, following me around the house, hopping into my lap, purring when I pet him, even sleeping on my bed last night. When I adopted him, his coat was fairly dull and a little rough on his back. Now, it feels softer and has a visible sheen to it. When I commented on this to my friend, he said that cats who are happy in their environment will take more time to clean themselves to make themselves look better to their owners.

 

[aplefka]

Probably. I bet he just likes you and knows if he looks better he can get cheap sex.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Probably. I bet he just likes you and knows if he looks better he can get cheap sex.

He's been fixed for a LONG time now. Don't think he's going to get any from the strays in my apartment complex.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: aplefka
Probably. I bet he just likes you and knows if he looks better he can get cheap sex.

He's been fixed for a LONG time now. Don't think he's going to get any from the strays in my apartment complex.

Haha well then, I'll stick with the "he likes you" bit.

That's pretty cool though, if he likes you that much after just a little while.

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Probably. I bet he just likes you and knows if he looks better he can get cheap sex.

bwahahahaha, thats great, so unexpected

 

[Schadenfreude]

That's cool. I don't know if the cat actually makes a conscious effort to make himself look better, but it might be the better conditions overall that brings out his healthy side. Like people - they're usually sicker when they're stressed out and sh!t like that, y'know?

 

[Amused]

Yes.

A cat that is under pressure and stress or is depressed, or both will display the symptoms outwardly by having a ragged/thinning coat and losing weight... much like people do. It has less to do with cleaning habits than it has to do with the overall health of the cat.

It's great that he has found a new home and a loving owner. Cheers to you!

 

[Geekbabe]

indoor cats also have nicer coats.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Probably. I bet he just likes you and knows if he looks better he can get cheap sex.

ROFLMAO!

 

[Feldenak]

There's a chance the other cats weren't letting him eat properly which will dull his coat. Excessive cleaning by a cat is also a sign of nervousness.