If you have a long-haired cat you are probably very familiar with the need for daily grooming. The coats of long-haired cats easily tangle and mat so regular grooming is a must. Unfortunately though, I have seen many long-haired cats who don’t get the needed daily grooming and end up with health complications as a result. Even if you have a short-haired cat, regular grooming is an important part of maintaining health. She may not have a coat that mats but frequent brushing will cut down on shedding and the amount of hair getting ingested through her self-grooming.
Benefits of Grooming
- Brushing distributes the natural oil which helps maintain skin and coat health.
- With frequent brushing you can address tangles before they turn into mats.
- Grooming enables you to check for parasites such as fleas and ticks.
- Time spent brushing your cat can help deepen the bond between the two of you.
- Frequent grooming helps desensitize the cat to being handled.
- You’re able to check for any skin abnormalities or ear problems.
- The more hair you brush, the less hair your cat will swallow.
Grooming Neglect
- Tangles and mats can pull on the delicate skin and make it difficult for the cat to walk.
- Mats around the armpits could result in tearing of the skin.
- Dense mats block air flow to the skin and can cause skin irritation or wounds.
- Fleas can hide in the mats, making it difficult for you to find and remove them.
- Mats on the cat’s backside can become encrusted with feces and/or dried urine.
- A cat may chew or tear at a mat due to pain and end up ripping the skin.