Cat Grooming. Those words strike terror into the hearts of even the biggest cat lover. Feline parents know how our babies feel about having their routine upset. Some cats would rather spend one of their nine lives than leave their comfy bed and take a bath!
But it’s summer, and your house is awash in cat fur. For the sanity sake, your cat needs grooming. We know you hate to stress your cat out, but did you realize seeing a groomer a few times a year can prevent serious health problems down the road?
Most cat breeds will shed their winter coat in the spring and summer months. While aggravating, there’s no need for worry. It’s perfectly normal. Help the process along with regular brushing and a bath. If this doesn’t remedy the issue, it could be time to let a professional help.
If your cat gets too stressed out from traveling back and forth from the groomers, consider mobile cat grooming. The groomer will come out to you at your convenience.
Once a groomer has seen your cat, they can help determine if this is normal shedding or if your cat seems to have a problem causing the fur loss.
What’s Normal Shedding And What’s Not?
Nearly all furry animals will shed some of their coat starting in the spring. Outdoor cats will shed more than indoor cats, but they all drop fur. Some cat breeds with the worst shedding include Maine Coon, Persian, Siberian, Himalayan, Chartreux and the American Curl.
If your cat is one of these breeds (or a mix) expect lots of shedding…and lots of cat grooming. If you are looking to adopt a new kitty, and you want a cat with low grooming needs, you may want to consider one of these breeds: Siamese, Cornish Rex, Turkish Angora Bombay, Burmese or a Bengal. Regardless of the cat you have, regular brushing and bathing should help control annoying shedding.
If you have a cat who is shedding in clumps, is continually itching, or has stopped grooming themselves altogether, there may be a bigger problem.
Underlying Causes Of Shedding
Sometimes no matter how well you groom your cat, the shedding continues. Then it’s time to see if there is something else going on. Common reasons for excess shedding include:
- Pests such as fleas, ticks, and mites. Even indoor cats can end up with pests like fleas. Make sure you are giving your cats the proper medication for the control of insects.
- Allergies. Just like people, animals can have allergies to grasses, food, or pollen. A vet will have to check for allergies and prescribe the right medication and environmental changes.
- Poor diet. A cat needs enough fat and nutrients in their food to maintain a healthy coat. A poor diet will cause shedding and more cat grooming. Make sure your cat food meets all nutritional needs.
- Hormone imbalance. Giving birth, spaying, or neutering can all cause your cat’s hormones to fluctuate and induce shedding. This will usually rectify itself.
- Stress. All fur parents know that cats hate stress. A new routine, an added pet to the home, or going to the vet will cause excess shedding until the stress is over.
- Tumors and cancer. Discolored skin, lumps, and excess shedding can be signs of a rare, but severe condition. Regular grooming can help find anything out of the ordinary that a vet needs to look at.
How Regular Cat Grooming Can Detect Problems
If you are regularly brushing your cat, but the shedding is still a problem, you may want to consider professional grooming. An experienced groomer sees hundreds of pets and has a better idea of what’s normal and what’s not.
Fleas, bumps, hair clumping, discolorations are all things a groomer can find and report to you. A flea infestation can cause anemia, a condition where the blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Your cat will itch, shed, and feel tired. A vet can quickly correct the situation before it becomes severe. Young cats are especially at risk.
Your older or overweight cat may stop grooming themselves altogether as they aren’t as limber as they should be. It’s essential for your cat’s health that they stay clean and groomed.
Contact The Lucky Dawg Salon & Mobile Grooming Team For Your Fur Baby!
Our caring and experienced pet groomers are ready to answer your cat grooming questions. Are you undecided about whether mobile or salon grooming is right for your cat? We can help you make the best choice based on your pet’s personality.
For mobile grooming, please call 310-784-0566. For salon grooming call 310-784-0775. You can also reach us by using our contact us form. Make sure to like us on Facebook!
