With as much as a time cats spend cleaning and preening their coats, it does seem like a fair question to ask, does a cat really need professional grooming? Though cats routinely groom themselves, and their grooming needs are vastly different from dogs, felines certainly benefit from professional attention.

Beyond Vanity

Cats are among the more responsible animals when it comes to hygiene. Wherever they are able to access, they will generally ensure their bodies are kept tidy. However, cats still suffer from bad breath, dandruff, fleas, matted hair, sharp claws, damaged paws, dirty ears, and odors, to which they are unable to devote adequate attention. Matted hair can be dangerous for cats, as they can develop into torn skin, bald spots, and can collect harmful bacteria and dirt. Paws that do not receive regular review can battle sores, calluses, dryness, and ears can harbor infections if not frequently wiped. From oral hygiene procedures to anal sac expression, your cat requires grooming not only to look presentable, but so that he can live a healthy and stable life.

Grooming treatments

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Short-haired cats typically keep their coats in good order, and may not require a deep bath or trip to the groomers unless they have soiled their coat, or gotten something on it. In this case a gentle shampoo, conditioning and brushing should solve the problem. Note that all cats prefer to have their fur combed in the direction it grows. Once your cat has been combed, smoothing over the fur with a damp cloth will remove any final stray hairs and dead skin, leaving him sleek and elegant.

Long-haired cats like Persians tend to require more attention and grooming than their short-haired counterparts.   The longer tresses seem to get matted more easily, and need to be detangled on occasion and brushed out. If a severe matted area develops, many cat owners make the mistake of attempting to cut out the mat themselves. This usually results in the cat being hurt, or the coat looking unkempt, and would be far better off if the problem was dealt with by a professional. Long-haired cats first need to be brushed with a metal comb to help remove the excess hair, followed by a bristle or gentle brush to smooth the coat. Some owners like to take their cats to the groomer to give their long-haired kitties unique shaves/cuts, such as the lion cut or the cat shave.

Other important grooming treatments for felines include: hair combing and conditioning, flea treatments, clipping nails, rejuvenating paws, cleaning out the ears, cleaning teeth, gums and general oral hygiene, and helping to express anal sacs.

Paw Maintenance is another area of attention which is often overlooked. While addressing problems in a cat’s paws might seem as easy as giving the nails a quick trim, there are several other factors to take into consideration.   For example, attempting to trim the claws may not only prove difficult for the owner, but very painful for the cat if not done carefully. One must only trim the claws below the reddish line, which is a vein of blood running through the nail. Be sure to avoid clipping through this, or it will bleed and be painful for your cat. Some cat owners choose to de-claw cats in order to keep their children safe and home free from scratching or talon marks, however this is a very difficult process for a cat to undergo. Grooming professionals often offer nail dremels which grind/buff the nail down so they are not sharp. There is also the option of putting soft plastic tips on a cat’s nails so that are not able to damage anything. The fur around a cat’s paws also ought to be trimmed from time to time, and the paws moisturized with protective ointments.

Oral hygiene treatments can include teeth brushing, teeth scraping to remove build up, and offering recommendations of products worth purchasing for odor and bacteria control.

Anal sac expression is an important component of grooming, particularly for cats who are having trouble expressing the sacs naturally.   The groomer will help remove the pressure by aiding the cat in expelling some of the oil. This will keep the cat from developing infections or the strong odors from ruptured sacs.

Many of these grooming treatments (such as bathing, brushing and clipping) can be done at home, while others (such as nail coating, paw treatments, removing matted hair, and anal sac expression) should be attended by the professional groomers.  If you are unable to personally go to an appointment at the grooming location, some companies offer professional in-home care services and will come to you for a small fee.