Why Should We Groom Cats?
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Bottom Line: a clean, well groomed cat is a happy cat!
Myth vs. Fact
Myth 1: Cats groom themselves
Fact: Cats do NOT groom themselves, cats LICK themselves. Grooming involves a degreasing bath with cat-specific shampoo and warm water, followed by a blow dry and complete removal of mats and tangles. Grooming also includes cleaning of the eyes and ears and trimming of the nails on all four paws. If cats truly groom themselves, then they would be clean and mat-free, their nails would not grow into their paw pads, and poop would not be found clinging to their rears. But this is not the case. We often see cats who are dirty, greasy, covered in years of saliva and litterbox dust, and often have fleas or painful mats. And mats are not only painful, they are dangerous and can even be life-treatening if they are not removed. Mats can fuse together into a pelt that a cat absolutely cannot remove on its own. A pelted cat is a miserable cat who is suffering and may die if the pelt is not removed safely and humanely. But even if your cat does not have mats, think about this. Your cat licks itself with its tongue and covers its entire body with saliva.. then it goes and walks into the litterbox every single day, getting litterbox dust, fecal and urine particles, and "dingleberries" left on its coat... and then it goes and takes naps on your pillow... that you put your FACE on... then it walks all over your kitchen table and countertops... that you EAT on. Then you come home and snuggle and hug and kiss your kitty... putting your LIPS all over that deliciously gross, bacteria and dander-filled coat. Mmmmm, delicious!
Still think your cat is clean? Think again! Myth 2: Cats hate water
Fact: Cats can learn to tolerate, or even enjoy, water if they are introduced to it properly by a skilled, confident groomer. I have been through extensive training on handling cats of every degree of temperament through the National Cat Grooming Institute of America (NCGIA) and I am confident that I can teach your kitty that spa day can truly be a relaxing experience. Each time your cat gets groomed, it will feel better and better about the process and stressing out about bathing will become a thing of the past. Myth 3: Cats don't need grooming
Fact: If cats didn't need grooming, then they wouldn't get dirty or greasy, they wouldn't get fleas, their hair wouldn't tangle, mat or pelt, and they would smell good and have a soft, fluffy coat all of the time. All cats need regular grooming by a Certified Feline Master Groomer to have healthy skin and a clean, mat-free coat.
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"Cat Grooming Myths" by the National Cat Groomers Institute of America (NCGIA)
"Pelting Hurts" video by the National Cat Groomers Institute of America (NCGIA)
The "My Cat Doesn't Need Grooming" Gallery
Photos used with permission from: onewhitewhisker.mytime.com
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