How Often Do Cats Need Grooming?
Cats are great self-groomers, but they also need a helping hand from their humans. We recommend professional grooming every 6-8 weeks to keep your cat clean and healthy. But this is a broad recommendation, and your cat might need to be groomed more or less, depending on things like their breed, age, roaming habits, and other factors.
Let’s explore how often your cat needs to be groomed based on their individuality.
How Often Should a Cat Be Groomed?
Vets and groomers agree that cats should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Basic grooming includes brushing, bathing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and light fur trimming if needed. Doing the basics will help your cat’s coat to stay shiny and healthy.
With this in mind, you also need to consider your cat’s breed, age, size, and other factors. Some cats are simply better at grooming themselves than others. Older cats may struggle to groom themselves as efficiently as they used to.
Working with a professional groomer can help you learn more about your cat’s unique habits. You can gain insightful tips about how to groom your cat in between professional visits.
Do Short-Haired Cats Need to Be Groomed?
Yes, short-haired cats need to be groomed. They usually require less grooming compared to long-haired cat breeds, but they still need to be brushed, bathed, and trimmed every few weeks.
Short-haired cats can still be susceptible to tangles, dandruff, and fleas. Regular grooming will help you spot issues early before they can turn into bigger messes.
Also, regular grooming will address areas beyond fur cleaning, such as cleaning the ears and trimming the nails. These are things no cat can do for themselves, no matter their fur length or their self-grooming habits.
Do Indoor Cats Need to Be Groomed?
Yes, indoor cats need to be groomed on a regular basis. They don’t get as dirty as outdoor cats, nor are they exposed to things like fleas or pollution. However, how often you groom your indoor cat depends on your cat’s breed, age, and their living environment.
For example, cats have an uncanny ability to find places where they probably shouldn’t be, like sunning themselves in your potted plants or rooting through your garbage. When this happens, your cat might need a bath sooner than later.
How Often Should You Wash Your Indoor Cat?
In between professional groomings, you should bathe your indoor cat at least one every 3-4 months. Indoor cats aren’t exposed to the same environment (and dirtiness) as outdoor cats. They tend to stay cleaner, which means you can usually get away with bathing them less.
Cat bathing frequency may vary depending on:
- The presence of fleas
- Coat length
- Coat type
- Level of activity (active cats might require more frequent bathing)
- Your cat’s age (older cats may need more help with grooming)
- Your cat’s litter box habits
The more you bathe your indoor cat, the more used to the process they’ll become, which can make it an easier and stress-free experience for both of you.
How Often Should a Cat Groom Itself?
Cats will groom themselves several times per day—as much as 30-50% of their waking hours. Seeing your cat licking themselves is a completely normal habit. However, cats who excessively groom themselves may have an underlying issue to address. It could be because of anxiety, self-expression, boredom, itchiness, or even pain.
If you notice signs such as more hairballs, fur loss, or grooming in one particular spot, it might be best to speak with your cat’s vet.
What Are the Benefits of Routine Cat Grooming?
Regular grooming removes excess fur, which will reduce the potential for messy hairballs. Your cat self-grooms themselves every day, which helps to remove shed fur. However, they’re not always able to remove all loose fur in this way, especially in areas they can’t easily reach. Grooming becomes more difficult as cats age, so they’re less likely to do a good job.
In addition, professional grooming allows cats to get a complete body treatment from whiskers to tail. This includes a full brushing and combing, which can spot and remove tangles in the fur that may turn into painful mats. When tangles aren’t removed, fur can become more deeply intertwined and turn into knots and mats. When this happens, these clumps of fur usually need to be cut off by a professional. Otherwise, the mats will continue to tug on your cat’s skin and can cause them pain.
Tangled or matted fur can also provide the perfect home for bacteria, dirt, and other debris. This buildup can be uncomfortable, plus it can lead to skin infections.
It’s best to avoid these and other issues by regularly grooming your cat.
Schedule Your Cat Spa Day with Kitty Spaw
Kitty Spaw’s Certified Feline Master Groomers have years of experience working with cats of all sizes, breeds, fur types, and temperaments. We treat each cat as individuals, ensuring custom grooming services that will help them look and feel (and smell) their very best. We provide feedback to pet owners so they can learn more about their cat’s unique grooming habits, potential problem areas, and tips for keeping their cats healthy and clean.
Get in touch today to learn more or request an appointment with our mobile cat grooming spa.
