Dangers of Not Grooming Your Cat

Your cat is a special member of your family.  It seems she is independent that she does not need you to take care of her, but that’s not true.  YOUR CAT DEPENDS ON YOU COMPLETELY, she just pretends she doesn’t sometimes.  Many cats that come through the doors of many Humane Societies need baths, mats combed out, or complete shave-downs because of the perception that cats relay on humans for food and water only.

Cats that are not brushed regularly (especially long-haired) cats can get mats in their fur.  Mats pull on your pet’s skin and if they connect from front leg to middle to back leg, even walking can become excruciating  as each leg movement pulls on every part of your cat.  Obviously, mats are painful, but dead matted for can hide a host of skin problems as well.  Moisture trapped at the cat’s skin level can breed bacteria.  This spreading bacteria then attacks your cat after mats have formed, it will take even more patience because it will be very painful.  Would you sit still to have your hair ripped out by the roots?

Grooming a cat is not difficult, but does require some patience on your part.  All cats need nails trimmed once a month.  Your cat many need a few tried to get all the nails, but your patience and a few treats will pay off during each subsequent trimming.  Cleaning ears is very important each month also.  Cats can get painful ear infections if ears are let dirty too long.  For a  short-haired cat, brushing with a slicker brush once a week is fine.  If your cat has medium or long hair, comb through all the fur, then follow up with a slicker brush.  You will need to do this once or twice a week to prevent mats.  A comb will get through a tangle before it has a change to mat.  If you do find a mat is to difficult, you need to call a professional cat groom from NCGIA or your local veterinarian.

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