Do All Cats Need Grooming?

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Do all cats need grooming?

One of the great things about owning a cat is the relief of not having to clean or bathe her every week or so. This is because cats are known to be practically self groomers and tend to spend the majority of their day licking their fur and cleaning their skin and face. Cats are so passionate about grooming that it is considered a social activity often; they will lick their human or even fellow cats to show affection.

As a result, it is widely assumed that cats do not need to be groomed by a human since cats are so involved with cleaning themselves as it is. However, there are certain situations in which cats will only benefit from a human’s assistance in grooming them.

Which Cats Need Grooming?

There are some breeds of cats that may require a regular grooming session with the help of a human more than other breeds. Long-haired and thick-coated breeds such as Maine Coons, Persians, Himalayans, Ragdolls, etc., can certainly benefit from occasional brushing and bathing since their fur can easily become matted when it gets dirty.

Furthermore, due to the thickness of fur that these breeds grow, it can be quite difficult and tiring for them to groom themselves as easily as other cats with less fur. Brushing, combing, and simply cat grooming is one of the most important things for these breeds and can help untangle any fur while keeping it clean and matte-free.

Do Short-Haired Cats Need Grooming?

Certain breeds of short-haired cats with very short coats, such as Bengals, Siamese, and Burmese, are very unlikely to face the tangling of their furs. They have silky hair, which may persuade people to think they can groom themselves without the helping hand of their humans.

However, these cats can also benefit from frequent baths since their fur accumulates dirt, oil, and saliva. Therefore, not only will regular cat grooming keep all these impurities away from your furry friend, but it will also make your cat smell good and its fur feels amazing.

In addition to that, you may also be pleased to find fewer loose furs around the house since bathing will get rid of them and even reduce the shedding of hair.

Cat grooming

Do Hairless Cats Need Grooming?

It might be easy to assume that hairless cats would be the one exception when it comes to cat grooming regularly, but that is not the truth at all. Hairless cat breeds such as the Sphinx are infamously known for leaving an oily residue on couches, clothes, and other materials when they have not been bathed in over a week. Thereby requiring cat owners of hairless cat breeds to maintain a weekly routine of cat grooming.

How Do I Groom My Cat?

Although many cat parents claim that cat grooming is one of the most challenging tasks, when it comes to being a cat owner, it is not something completely impossible. If you are strong-willed and like to face challenges, then why not have a go at cat grooming in your free time? After all, your cat will eventually appreciate it in the end.

One of the ideal things to do when you adopt a kitten is to quickly establish the habit of taking baths at an early age. This builds trust and allows your cat to be less aggressive in its adult years when you bathe it. However, if you were not able to do this, then your best option is to take it slow and introduce your cat to all the essentials of grooming.

Woman holding and combing a cat

Brushing

The key to cat grooming is to remain gentle and respectful of your cat’s likes and dislikes. Your cat is probably not used to being handled this way, and it is a new experience for her, so make sure you are making your cat feel as comfortable as possible.

Gradually get your cat used to brushing sessions by laying them on your lap while watching TV, and this may just become a natural routine for her. In addition to that, do not forget to provide plenty of treats to your cat, which will help indicate that the activity is rewarding. You can also reward your cat with lots of playtimes in case she feels uneasy after brushing.

Cleaning

You might be thinking, “bathing my cat is just as traumatic for me as it is for my cat,” but you should be delighted to know that bathing your cat with water is not the only way to clean your cat. There is a good amount of formulations that come in the form of powders or cleaning wipes that can effectively and deeply cleanse your cat’s fur, skin, and paws without using even a single drop of water.

However, if you are unable to find these products, then a water bath is your best bet. A good rule of thumb to follow when cat grooming and, more specifically, bathing them is to consider the climate of that day. If it is chilly and particularly cold, then you should use warm water. Similarly, if the climate is warm, then your cat is more likely to enjoy cooling off in cold water.

Cat with grooming kit

Nail Clipping

When it comes to trimming your cat’s nails, you can either do it yourself or get a vet to use their expert skills and have the job done. However, you will be better off learning this skill yourself since visiting the vet frequently can get tedious. The first thing you want to do is familiarize your cat with the nail clipper, let her sniff, and listen to the sound it makes.

Afterward, you want to gently trim one nail at a time while giving your cat a treat after each one. Make sure to avoid clipping the quick (pink veins), which can cause severe pain to your cat. Your cat should eventually get used to it, and it will become a much easier and quicker process.

Conclusion

If you are getting a new cat, then consider how much time they will require from you. We have discussed different sets of breeds and their grooming demands. However, if you tend to be busy the majority of your time, then you can turn to professional pet groomers that are experts in cat grooming.

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