Who doesn’t like grooming?
Our feline fur babies are no exceptions to this habit. Whether or not you had thought about grooming your feline pet or failed at it several times before you perfected the art, you should know that cats are expert groomers.
However, that isn’t enough reason to let your cat do its thing without human assistance when that is needed. Your furball might need an extra hand to help get rid of knots and dead hair. Unkempt hair is more susceptible to skin allergies, infections, and parasitic invasions, so you must assist your cat in this task.
Also, consider purchasing kitten insurance in NZ to be financially prepared during unforeseen cat health situations. Kitten insurance helps provide your munchkin with superior medical care with little economic burden. So, why not explore the benefits of various pet policies available online?
In the meantime, learn the benefits of grooming your cat and why you should help your cat with it.
Cat grooming benefits
Cats are skilled at grooming and maintaining clean coats. They use their long tongues with flexible hook-like spines to eliminate dirt, debris, and loose hair on all body areas.
Having said that, medium or long-haired cats and those spending maximum time outdoors do well with extra grooming because they catch a lot of unwanted stuff through their daily routine.
Grooming benefits a cat by strengthening its muscle tone and promoting oil secretion, enhancing the skin’s luster.
Grooming can also be one of the favorite cat activities because it can be soothing and stress relieving. Remember how it felt the other day when you had a good head massage? Your cat will most likely feel something similar while grooming itself.
When cats lick themselves, they swallow much loose hair as hairballs. These hairballs can obstruct the throat and cause choking or block gastrointestinal tracts. It is one reason why you should help your furball with grooming. Brushing away loose hair regularly can help reduce matting, hairball formation, and the associated health risks.
Why should you help your cat with grooming?
Cats have rough tongues that help scrape the meat off bones. These tools also aid them in the precious grooming activity. The tiny spines on their tongues can help remove dirt and comb their fur even in the remote corners of their furry bodies. Yet, there can be much more to clean because it is easy to miss some spots.
Young kittens are highly efficient at washing themselves, often more than older cats. It is because the adult and senior cats’ bodies are stiffer and hence can’t reach all areas that need cleaning.
So, as a responsible cat owner, you must help your furball with coat maintenance. A short haired cat might require brushing at least twice a week to avoid matting and accumulation of dead hair. However, medium to long haired cats need brushing more than three times a week.
You never know if your cat is silently thanking you for helping it get rid of the extreme pain and discomfort due to hair clumps.
What to do before attempting a cat grooming routine at home?
Play or cuddle with your cat, so it stays relaxed and happy. This interaction is an essential part of the cat grooming routine, so your furball gets comfortable with you touching them.
Also, ensure you don’t touch places your cat doesn’t like people touching while grooming. Knowing the sensitive areas and not going there can help make the session less messy and more productive.
Excessive fur loss should be a matter of concern. You must consider being prepared with kitten insurance NZ for this symptom of ill health and many others. Contemplate purchasing kitten insurance because health issues are unpredictable and vet bills even more. So, have a plan to manage pet health expenditure during distressing health situations efficiently.