Your Cat Needs Professional Grooming—And Your Vet Agrees
The differences between cats and dogs are obvious. Dogs bark, drool, and like to roll around in whatever they find. Cats purr, walk with poise, and spend much of their day polishing their fur to perfection. But one thing these pets have in common isn’t as obvious — they both need professional grooming as part of their healthcare.
You wouldn’t think twice about taking a dog to a groomer. But a cat?
It’s true—cats need grooming too, and it’s not just to fluff their fur or clean their whiskers. According to veterinarians, grooming has a positive impact on their health. It helps with everything from hairballs to hydration. And when you make it part of their normal care routine, you can keep your kitty happier and healthier.
Here’s why vets recommend grooming for cats and how you can make grooming easier for stress-free cat care.
Cats Groom Themselves, Right?
Cats can be self-sufficient groomers, at least for the most part. They spend hours a day licking themselves to remove excess fur and keep bad hair days at bay. However, they’re not quite the experts you think they are.
There are some areas that cats simply can’t reach, such as the base of their tails and backs. This is especially true for older cats or cats with physical struggles. They can stay mostly clean, most of the time, but they still need a little help.
Grooming isn’t just about looks, either. Sure, your kitty will look fresher when it doesn’t have tufts of fur sticking up in all directions. But aside from that, grooming also plays a role in skin health.
What you don’t see is that a cat’s skin turns over every three weeks. Those dead cells need somewhere to go, and your cat isn’t always efficient in removing them along with dead fur. Those cells can build up and cause fur to look dull and dirty, plus they might cause your cat to scratch or lick more often.
You might think there’s nothing wrong with a little extra scratching or licking. But consider that both can lead to dehydration. Scratching can irritate the skin, which encourages your cat to lick itself more. This can lead to more hairballs and vomiting, which in turn creates dehydration and even urinary tract infections.
Hairballs can go one of two ways: through the digestive system or back up the throat and out of the mouth. Neither option is appetizing. A hairball in the digestive tract can constipate your cat, which may cause them to stop eating or drinking, leading to dehydration. Throwing up the hairball is no better, since vomiting can also dehydrate your pet.
While hairballs are as natural as your cat, it’s important to minimize them and any other discomforts, like dry skin and dull fur. A little grooming can go a long way in reducing potential problems and setting your cat up for a healthy life.
The Health Benefits of Professional Cat Grooming
Bathing your cat every few weeks is a great way to get rid of excess fur and help them feel their best. Professional grooming can offload this loathsome task for you, and then some. Groomers can also deshed, eliminate dandruff, remove mats, treat for fleas, and trim nails. The health benefits alone give you all the incentive you need.
Reduce Shedding
Professional groomers can help remove tough undercoats and loose fur more efficiently. Deshedding reduces tumbleweeds of hair around your home, plus it helps to keep your cat cool and collected.
Improve Skin Health
Regular grooming can prevent skin problems. We remove dirt, dander, and debris to reduce itching. Plus, it’s a good opportunity to look for bumps, rashes, or parasites (such as fleas and ticks) so your cat can get treatment quickly.
Prevent Matted Fur
Cats with longer fur can get mats easily. These can be painful (not to mention unsightly) and even lead to skin infections. Professional groomers can remove mats without harming your pet and prevent them from forming in the first place.
Reduce Hairballs
Loose fur means more licking, and more licking means more hairballs. Stop hairballs at the source with professional cat grooming. Removing excess fur means they’ll have less fur to ingest, which can save your favorite armchair or bedroom slippers from destruction.
Have Cleaner Ears
Groomers clean the whole cat, including the ears. It might seem like an unnecessary detail, but ears can get infested with ear mites, yeast, and wax buildup. Healthy ears mean better hearing and less chance of infection.
Grow Stronger Nails
Regular nail trims will keep your cat’s nails from overgrowing, which can lead to ingrown, broken, or cracked claws. A pedicure can also strengthen your cat’s nails by removing dirt and litterbox bacteria that could cause cracks or weakening.
Detect Potential Health Issues Early
Professional groomers are skilled in spotting signs of health problems, such as lumps, bumps, or skin conditions. Early detection can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Gain Better Overall Hygiene
Who doesn’t love a clean pet? A good spa treatment from nose to tail will keep your cat cleaner overall. Grooming removes bacteria to reduce the risk of skin irritation and infection for both you and your pet. After all, a clean cat is a happy, healthy cat!
Schedule Mobile Cat Grooming with Kitty Spaw
Kitty Spaw brings professional cat grooming to your door, along with our Certified Feline Master Groomers who love cats and know how to care for them. Our in-home cat grooming team is experienced in deshedding, cleaning ears, clipping nails, and even spotting potential health problems so your cat gets the total care they deserve. Request an appointment today!
