Tag Archives: feline

Cats, The Pet Professionals

Should I groom my cat?

The most common question cat owners have is “Should I groom my cat?”, especially if they are first time owners!

We all know that cats are pretty much self-sufficient when it comes to cleaning their fur and skin, but there are many situations where you’ll need to intervene.

Keep reading to learn when and how to groom your cat to ensure your feline friend always has beautiful fur and healthy skin.

Which cats need grooming?

It is no surprise that cats with long or thick hair have very different grooming requirements than cats with short fur. If your pets have luxurious locks, you and them will have to get used to regular or even daily brushing as well as periodic hair trimming.

However, even if you have a cat that has thin or even no hair, he or she might need to be groomed and bathed once in a while. During shedding season, regular brushing will not only avoid a vortex of fur in your house but also help your cats feel more comfortable, and they will take in less fur, leading to fewer chances of hairballs.

Another group of cats that will need specialist fur and skin care is pets with infections (from fungi, parasites or bacteria) in their skin or prone to allergies. Your vet might recommend that you apply topical medication during bathing, which could mean that you will have to bath them frequently.

How do I groom my cat?

If you’re just now embarking on the pet owner journey, you might be feeling a little lost on how to help your cat maintain healthy fur and skin.

As we’ve just mentioned, many cats need regular grooming due to having long fur or if they happen to have medical problems that require special attention focussed on their skin and coat. But the truth is that all cats will need a little grooming help at least once in a while, which is why it’s crucial to get them used to being handled and groomed early on!

Here are some of the most important parts of a great fur and skin routine:

  • Fur brushing can be a pleasant activity for a cat, but getting him or her used to it as an adult can take some time, so make sure to keep sessions short and full of rewards;
  • Bathing can be a hard sell for your pets which means that the best way is to get them used to it when they are as young as possible and to make it an enjoyable experience;
  • Don’t forget to take a close look at their nails and clip them if needed!

When all of this goes well, grooming becomes a wonderful bonding moment between you and your cat. However, we know that some cats can be very challenging to groom, and that’s when professional grooming services come to the rescue.

It’s okay if you struggle with this and need to call for help, so don’t hesitate to shop around for the perfect groomer or speak with your vet about your difficulties!

Cats, The Pet Professionals

The cat attack – Why is my cat being aggressive?

Particular as they may be, cats have wonderful personalities and make great companion animals and furry friends.

However, sometimes cats can show aggression towards their owners and other pets, which can be very detrimental to the bond between them and the home environment, and even dangerous in extreme situations.

Some aggressive behaviours are natural and even essential when it comes to hunting and personal defence, but these are definitely not wanted or needed in the security and comfort of our homes.

So, assuming that our cats are fed, well, that they don’t need to hunt to provide for their next meal, and that they have the whole house to claim as their territory, what can be causing our cats to act aggressively?

To answer this question, we need to go back to the kittens first weeks of life. Approximately between the second and ninth weeks of age, there is a very important phase in a kitten’s development, also known as the socialisation period. During this period, the kittens should be with their mother, so they can learn a number of normal cat behaviours, such as hunting and grooming, for example, skills that they are going to need and use throughout their lives. This is also the ideal timing to introduce the kittens to different experiences and stimuli, so they can get to know what to expect of a situation, what to fear, what to be careful with, and what is safe, gaining the foundations to grow into healthy and confident adult cats.

When a kitten is not adequately socialised, this can result in the manifestation of aggressive behaviours later. However, aggression is often the combination of various factors and not the result of a single event. Another common cause of attacks is a response to stress, which can, in turn, be associated with interactions with people (which can be as simple as petting), or with other animals, changes in the environment, fear, pain, and even health conditions.

Hyperthyroidism, infectious diseases, osteoarthritis and idiopathic cystitis are just a few examples of medical conditions that are commonly associated with feline aggression. As such, if your cat is acting aggressively, it is very important to seek veterinary assistance. Your vet will be able to perform a thorough check-up to make sure no health issues are causing these behaviours, as well as devise a treatment plan matched to your cat’s case.

Treatment strategies can be as simple as modifying the cat’s environment or the way you interact with your cat, but most cases usually require a multi-modal approach. Also, keep in mind that altering a cat’s behaviour is something that takes time and patience. Make sure you discuss with your vet all the concerns you may have and do not try to solve this type of problem without the help of a qualified professional.

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