12/06/2022
IT‘S TIME FOR A BATH….. MEEEOOOWW!
Grooming is a necessary part of cat care. Shedding hair is part natural life cycle of hair shafts. Cats, as well as humans, shed hair on a regular basis. We wash our hair, so why not wash your cats' hair too? Have you ever sat down wearing something black and stood up with a rear full of hair stuck to you? No matter how hard a cat tries to “keep themselves clean”, they still shed a lot of hair!
All cats shedding cycles are linked to number of daylight hours and season changes. Cats naturally shed in the spring and again in the fall in the United States. Now that I live in Costa Rica, the seasons are different (our spring is the states fall and our fall is the states spring). And Costa Rica's daylight hours pretty much stay the same, give or take 30 minutes or so, throughout the whole year! The sun sets here close to 6pm every day all year round.
Cats living inside with artificial cold/hot air and artificial light can affect shedding. Cats living outdoors only or ones that go in and out will also have some variances in shedding. Cats also shed during times of stress. A trip to the veterinarian is a perfect example. Anything like a visitor, if they are timid, to an illness can make a cat shed more hair.
And let's not forget fleas! If they happen to become infested by fleas, you are really going to see some shedding! A cat will tend to over-groom themselves to get rid of an irritating flea, and as a result, shed more hair. They in turn, swallow a great deal of hair while licking and chewing at fleas. I am sure we have all, at one time or another, squished our bare feet into a nice wet hairball on the floor. YUCK!
One of the first things to learn about a cat shedding their fur is that short hair or long hair doesn't make a difference – they both shed! Daily brushing or combing with the proper tool for your particular breed of cat can help A process called furminating also helps with shedding on some cats. To work best, you need a shedding shampoo and conditioner to use with the special shedding tool. Using a professional groomer will always get the best results. They will know your cat's hair type and decide on the best shampoo etc.
Matting on the cat can be another concern for a cat lover to consider grooming their furry ones. Again, it does not matter if the cat has long or short hair. Most all cats have some grease/oil in their coat. It is the oil in their coats along with the fine undercoat layer of hairs that cause the matting. Older cats or overweight cats that can no longer groom themselves will often tangle down their backs and hips. This seems to be a problem area for a lot of cats. Also arthritis may make it hard for some to reach certain spots. Cats will always try to keep themselves clean if they can!
It is understandable that most people are nervous about hurting their kitty by combing too hard or deep to remove a mat or tangle. You may be tempted to try to use a pair of scissors to cut out the tangle. This is a big NO NO! You can make the big mistake of cutting your cat's skin, which is quite thin. One small cut opens up a much larger area than you might expect. Please let a professional use electric cat grooming clippers. You may be surprised at what a trained professional groomer can accomplish with just a comb out, bath and blow dry.
There are grooming schools but few, if any, teach skills in cat grooming. It takes skill and practice to work with a sometimes frightened cat at the prospects of a hair cut or bath. It also takes a lot of patience. Understanding how they feel and observing body language is key. A gentle touch and loving soft words go a long way. Many people are afraid of the hissing and growling you sometimes hear. I just tell them that they are too cute for such bad language! Hahaha
Grooming is a very natural thing to a cat. They can readily understand if they are properly approached and then properly handled. Even if the cat gets a little fussy, they get over their moodiness pretty quick. Unless, of course, they do not agree with your choice of their hair style. Haha Then, it is VERY IMPORTANT to tell them how wonderful they look to boost their confidence. Cats are very in tune with our feelings and energy. Tell them they are beautiful and loved, and mean it!!
My moto is “Less is always Better with Cats”. They simply do not like to be restrained. You don't want to force them into a position to strongly. Starting at a young age will definitely get them more acquainted with grooming. You can also start an older cat with short combing sessions, and then give them a break. A little combing a few times a day or just once daily should work. Maybe approach them when they are napping and calm. Begin by gentle petting and soft words before you sneak in the comb. Notice how I say comb. A brush will not get anything but the outer hairs. Remember it is the undercoat that will start a tangle.
Usually the fussing will come when you get to a tangle or an “off limits” area. It may be best to use a professional groomer to give a trim to their private area (better known as a “potty or sanitary trim”). Many owners also have trouble combing the stomach area, which can also be trimmed by a groomer. You may even choose one of the popular haircuts for kitties. The lion cut, which makes your cat look like a male lion is adorable! Some people use haircuts for less shedding, while others cut the hair as a last resort because their cat has too many tangles to comb out.
This is why I recommend a grooming schedule. You can keep your cat's hair looking beautiful and alleviate the shedding and matting problems with regular baths and blow outs. (Even here in Costa Rica heat, the blow dry is necessary. It makes the hair so fluffy and will not let the hair dry in dread locks!) No matter how you look at it, you and your cat will be much happier after a groom. Using a professional groomer will be the best for both as well. Hopefully, you can find a place that specializes in cats only. I am considering starting one here in Costa Rica.
So how about a relaxing day at the spa? Hair, nails done with or without colored nail tips, aroma therapy, etc. Sounds like fun! Right?! This could be you or your cat!
