Is cat grooming necessary? Here’s what you need to know

We spoke to Alice Potter to get some insights into the importance of cat grooming.

Alice is a Senior Science and Policy Officer for the RSPCA and has been with the charity for over 10 years.

Her role in the Companion Animals Department has mainly focused on advising on cat welfare issues.

Prior to starting at the RSPCA Alice completed an MSc at Lincoln University on Clinical Animal Behaviour. She also has lots of experience working with rescue animals in various volunteer roles.

Read on below to find out what Alice has to say about the value of cat grooming.

As an avid fan of cats, you know very well that many cats love to groom themselves. Despite this, it's clear that cats do need helping with grooming.

Cats clean their fur regularly, and often for long periods. Cat claws also receive plenty of attention. They chew and pull at the outer layer to expose the sharper claw that lies beneath. Oftentimes, they use scratching posts for these purposes as well.

It might seem like they’re handling everything pretty well by themselves, then. Yet, that likely isn’t the case. Even cats that spend a lot of time grooming need help. 

It could be that they’re uncomfortable, or that they’re edging closer towards a more serious health issue that is yet to be identified. In either case, you need to get proactive.

According to Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, grooming your cat can provide quality time with your cat.

“Regular grooming allows cat owners to spend quality time with their cat and provides the opportunity to monitor their health.

"Grooming also removes dust, dead skin and loose hairs, prevents serious tangling and matting and can improve circulation."

So, grooming sessions are clearly beneficial. Let's get into the details and see exactly why that that's the case.

1. Flagging health issues

Cat fur, regardless of length, does an excellent job of masking health issues.

While bathing or brushing your cat, you might notice worrying signs that would usually remain hidden. 

During a grooming treatment, you might also notice issues related to your cat’s nails, skin, eyes, ears, or paws. Vigilance is key, which is why regular grooming is a must.

Alice adds that “Checking the condition of your cat’s coat is a good way of checking on their overall health and nutrition too. A glossy and soft coat is a good sign that your cat is generally in good health.

"Grooming them also allows owners to look for issues such as sore patches, wounds, lumps or matted fur, or to spot any changes in the condition of your cat’s coat in case a visit to the vets is needed."

Of course, spotting early-stage health issues is difficult without experience, so visiting a professional cat groomer is a sensible alternative.

2. Detecting bugs and parasites

There’s a chance that your cat’s skin is home to bugs and parasites that are causing real harm. 

Without grooming, you might not notice anything, but through regular brushing, it’s likely you’ll find any significant presence of parasites.

Fleas and mites are most common, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for any other unwanted visitors. Vets can advise on how to protect your cat from these insects, but professional cat groomers still play a vital role in detection.

Cats can groom themselves and stay relatively clean, but they certainly can’t handle parasites without help.

3. Maintaining pristine coats

Cats do a pretty good job of keeping their fur soft and smooth, but there are times when intervention is essential.

Your long, medium, and short-haired cats could find themselves with matted fur if you’re not careful. You can help them out of this bind with nothing more than a bristle brush and grooming knowledge.

Brushing your cat also removes skin flakes and has a positive impact on blood vessel circulation – so there are several reasons to carry this out.

Alongside brushing, you might attempt to bathe your cat, in an effort to remove any dirt and muck that has built up. That is generally not necessary for cats, unless they do not carry out grooming regularly.

Reiterating, Alice also recommends not bathing your cat too often.

"It’s important to note that cats don’t need a regular wash as they do a very good job of cleaning themselves. Bathing your cat can strip their coat of essential oils which are needed to promote skin health and add a layer of waterproofing. Washing them can also remove topical flea control products.

"Unless a cat is heavily soiled or dirty, infested with fleas which can’t be removed, or has a skin condition where bathing with a special shampoo is essential, then washing them is not required."

While some cats enjoy being brushed, others are more reluctant. This is another situation where professional intervention might be required.

4. Protecting your furniture

Many cats clean their fur but don’t give much attention to their nails.

The result? Your carpets, sofas, and pretty much everything else get torn to shreds. Naturally, that’s the last thing you want.

By taking the time to trim your cat’s claws, you’re stopping this from happening. Of course, to carry this out, you’ll need cat grooming tools and nerves of steel. After all, many cats do not enjoy having their nails clipped.

To avoid an unhappy cat (and several scratches), you might be better served by visiting a cat groomer.

5. Fewer furballs

Coughing up a furball seems like an unpleasant experience – and it’s not something you want to find in your home in any case.

You can reduce the chance of your cat suffering from furballs by brushing and grooming their fur on a regular basis. Your cat won’t swallow excess hair, as you’ll have already removed it.

While hairballs are mainly a nuisance for cats, they can result in serious health conditions, so preventing them is certainly worth doing.

6. Minimise shedding

Cats shed hair. That probably isn’t news to anybody.

You can, however, limit the impact shedding has on your home. With regular grooming, either at home or at a grooming salon, the volume of shedding will drop.

This means your carpets and furniture will absorb less hair, and that you might even be able to vacuum the house less often.

7. Bonding with your cat

Cats are not always the most trusting pets. It takes time to build a relationship with them, and grooming is a wonderful opportunity for bonding.

Alice advises praise and treats to give your cat a positive experience during grooming.

“It’s important to remember to make grooming your cat a positive experience for them, use it as a way to bond with your pet and give them fuss, and provide them with plenty of praise and some treats during the session to ensure they associate grooming positively.

"It is also best to have short, regular sessions and to watch your cat for any signs of distress or discomfort.

“The best method is to use a wide-toothed metal comb and follow the direction the hair grows naturally. Include your cat’s chest and abdomen, behind their ears, the backs of their legs and the armpit area, where tangles tend to form. Tease any knots gently with the comb to avoid damaging the skin."

While many cats will resist grooming treatments, others will find them enjoyable. If you’re looking to foster a closer bond with your pet, grooming them on a regular basis could help.

Still, you always need to pay attention to your cat’s comfort level. If they’re not enjoying the grooming session, take that into account and stop.

Since they're used to skittish animals, a professional groomer will help your cat become more comfortable and relaxed through regular treatments. Both patience and consistency are key.

Do you need to groom your cat every day, week, or month? There’s no simple answer.

The frequency of these sessions will depend on many factors, including age, health condition, breed, length of hair, and so on.

Short-haired cats will require less attention than medium and long-haired cats, which need some level of grooming every day.

If your cat is older, unwell, or unable to groom itself, it’ll need help more often. In situations like these, vets and pet groomers offer vital assistance.

It’s best to keep an eye on your cat’s condition and take a proactive role in their health. Regular grooming sessions are crucial.

Commenting on the frequency of grooming sessions, Alice says "Cats may require more grooming during ‘moulting’ season when they tend to shed more hair, but generally, cats will need grooming all year round.

"Many long-haired cats, such as Persians, domestic long-haired moggies, Ragdolls and Birmans, actually require grooming every day to prevent knots from forming.

"This is because their long fur is more likely to knot or mat and although they will groom themselves, long-haired cats still need a lot of help and attention from their owners."

“Although short-haired cats generally do a good job of grooming themselves, brushing sessions at least once a week are still important to help keep short-haired cats and their coats in a good condition too.”

Grooming cats can be hard work. Many simply do not want to be groomed, even if it’s clear they need the help. They’re not afraid of letting you know they’re unhappy, either.

By trying to groom your cat without help, you could end up scaring them off the idea altogether. You might also experience a few nasty scratches.

If your cat is always reluctant, or if you lack the cat grooming tools needed to do a good job, visiting a cat grooming salon is the answer.

Weighing in, Alice explains that "In some instances, for example, to deal with the removal of difficult or larger areas of matted fur, you may need to seek professional help from a qualified groomer or veterinary staff.

"If using a professional cat groomer, it’s important to ensure that they are fully qualified, accredited and/or part of a pet grooming association to ensure their validity.

"It’s also key to make sure that they are cat-friendly groomers. This is because cats are likely to find being in the same room as dogs very stressful and therefore it is a good idea to check that cats and dogs are kept in separate rooms or ideally to select a groomer which only works with cat clients.

"The right groomer will also ask about your cat and their personality and have measures in place to reduce stress and keep them safe.

“It’s worth spending some time doing your research by looking into their background and checking reviews from other pet owners too.”

Cat groomers are used to handling unhappy cats, have the tools and equipment to keep your pet in a healthy condition, and will offer general cat grooming advice that makes life at home easier.

In visiting an experienced grooming salon, you know that your cat is going to be comfortable, relaxed, and even pampered.

Cats are hygienic animals, but it’s clear they need regular grooming too.

Both at-home grooming and grooming services will improve their health, appearance, and happiness.

If you plan on grooming them yourself, make sure you have access to the right tools. Alternatively, make life easier for yourself by taking them to a grooming salon.

A professional will provide first-class treatments, cat grooming tips for in-between appointments, and they’ll be able to manage even the grumpiest of cats.

It’s the easiest way to ensure your cat keeps feeling great moving forward.

Find the best cat groomers near you now and make sure your feline friend stays happy and healthy. If you'd prefer to hear from the best local cat groomers directly, post a free enquiry today.