We love our cats; cats are wonderful companions, and we want what’s best for them.
While most cat’s could use a groom every 4-8 weeks, there are others whose lives depend on it.
Which cats need grooming most?
Cats with soft, silky fur
Senior or Geriatric cats
Overweight cats
Cats with health issues
Cats who have humans with allergies
How do I get started grooming my cat?
The best thing to do for your cat is to keep him feeling clean and fresh. Cats are fastidious creatures. Starting them off young with a groom that includes bathing, brushing, drying and a nail trim is key to keeping your kitty clean and used to being handled.
My cat has always licked himself and is now getting mats.
There are many reasons for mats. Some include:
SOFT FUR – The softer (silkier) the fur, the more you will have to comb it. If it is long and gets greasy and is not combed, it will mat. Picture your hair not washed, collecting dust (if you were to roll on the floor) and if your hair shed and collected on your head. Gross.
But don’t cats self-groom?
Although cats are thought to be self-grooming, does licking with a tongue, using saliva really count? Plus, picture your cat walking around the house, not getting a bath, getting greasy, shedding, collecting dust, dirt and litterbox “hitchhikers.” Plus, during high shedding season, the underlying oily coat will trap the shedding fur and it will become a layered, greasy, mess. Does this sound clean to you? The only way for kitty to get clean is by having a bath using a cat-specific degreasing soap like Chubbs Bars or Les Poochs. The fur needs to get completely de-greased, blown dry and then combed out to remove all the excess fur. (photo courtesy of Chubbs Bars)
Grooming is absolutely critical for older cats who may have difficulty getting to hard to reach parts of their bodies like their buttocks and legs. The process of stretching and turning may too much for a tired, aging cat. Cats that go ungroomed risk becoming dirty and developing infections.
SILKY FUR and FLAT-FACED BREEDS
Flat-faced cats such as Persians and himalayans, may need help with their eyes and coats. Their “pushed in” faces usually have tear staining and if not kept clean, they will be suseptible to possible eye infections. Such breeds have soft coats that tend to tangle and mat easily unless combed frequently and bathed.
SOFT FUR – The softer (silkier) the fur, the more you will have to comb it. If it is long and gets greasy and is not combed, it will mat. Picture your hair not washed, collecting dust (if you were to roll on the floor) and if your hair shed and collected on your head. Gross.
The more hair a cat has, (think dense fur on a short-haired cat) the more grooming they will need. For older or overweight cats, they may need some extra help keeping themselves tidy. If you would like your cat smelling fresh, start implementing a bath into their routine when they are young, so that they can get used to taking regular baths.
Less hairballs for you to clean and less fur to vacuum
All cats are prone to hairballs at some point, but the more fur, the more likely they will suffer. Regular grooming will help reduce the hairballs and will decrease the amount of fur to vacuum.
If you are unable to groom your cat, please consult us and we can recommend the best solutions for which ever grooming problems you or your cat are experiencing.