Cats Need Grooming Too!
Professional cat groomers do exist! The myth that cats do not need baths is widely outdated, and here is why!
Cat saliva contains a protein called Fel d1, causing humans with allergies to react with symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. A cat that is licking themselves is covering their coats with that protein and ingesting all the loose hair and dead skin. This can cause internal problems, such as hairballs or a blockage. A cat that is groomed regularly can eliminate or reduce allergic reactions and help prevent internal problems.
Like humans, a cats skin will shed and lose hair and it can become stuck in the coat with dirt and dead cells. This can cause a tangled or matted coat. Even short haired cats can become matted if the coat is left for too long without maintenance. A matted coat left on the skin for too long, can cause problems such as itching, sores, and infection that can lead to sepsis, and general discomfort.
Having the education of “how to”, is really important for not only your safety, but for your cats. It is not recommended to try to clipper cut or bathe your cat from home if you don’t have experience. Knowledge of anatomy is needed in order to safely groom your pet. Without it, it can result in clipper cuts that require medical attention, clipper burn, or more severe injuries. A professional groomer will always be your best solution.
To bathe a cat properly you need two shampoos, one to remove the grease, and one to put the correct oils back into the coat after stripping. A high-velocity dryer is used to open the coat and dry it quickly, followed by a comb out and de-shedding. It is important to fully dry and brush out the cat or it can result in full body matting.
Why shave cats?
Most people just like the reduced cat hair in their house. Some do it for comfort, while others do it because they can’t physically brush their cat and this is the cats best option. Most professional groomers would much prefer to bathe, blow dry, and a good de-shed comb out, which is an excellent choice for both short and long hair cats.
The Lion Cut
Lion cuts are where the body of the cat is shaved right to the skin, leaving the mane, boots at the elbows and ankles, and a full tail or a little pom at the end.
This is shaved right to the skin, which can cause the hair to grow back in different stages. A re-shave typically corrects any follicles that went dormant. This groom is popular in the hot summer months. In the colder season, people will choose the bath and brush option, or choose a comb cut!
The Comb Cut
A comb cut is also known as a lamb or plush cut. The coat is shortened anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 inch long and have more styles to choose from. This cut can reduce the amount of hair around the house, and decrease the amount of brushing needed. Some people will choose this cut to keep the cats hair short and for maintenance purposes.
All cats, even hairless ones, need regular grooming to maintain healthy skin, coat and nails. Exposing your pet to the very basic service and having your cat on a grooming schedule will give your cat the opportunity to build their confidence with car travel, crate training, and environmental changes. It can also give excellent mental stimulation and will help build social skills.
There are many positive reasons why cat grooming is important. Groomers will see your pet more than your vet does, and are more likely to notice a lump or if something is different. I am proud to say that I have caught cancer on pets early enough to be treated and they were able to live longer, happier lives. I hope this sheds some light into the cat grooming world and what options that can be available to you!
Brittney Maskewich, CDG, CFMG
Owner of Short Nose & Fluffy Toes Grooming.
Certified Dog Groomer and Master Feline Groomer.
