Myth VS Fact: 7 Facts About Cat Grooming You Need to Know

Cats are very complex creatures, and they don’t seem to get enough credit for it. When it comes to cat grooming, there are many widespread myths regarding why cats groom themselves, if they need further grooming by their owners, and more. In this article, we will go over some “facts” about cats and whether they are actually fact or myth!

When cats lick themselves, they are not always fully groomed. While it may look like they are cleaning themselves, they’re often just spreading saliva around and cleaning up small messes. Cats still need to be brushed, bathed, or wiped down if needed, have their nails trimmed if appropriate, and their ears cleaned. How often you groom your cat may depend on factors such as the cat’s age, coat type , and breed. Cats that are seniors, obese, or have arthritis often require additional assistance with grooming and brushing, as they may struggle to reach all areas of their bodies.

Grooming your cat is also beneficial for people with allergies as their saliva contains Fel-D1 which is the enzyme that people are allergic to in cats. Regular grooming helps remove the enzyme and dead fur that further contributes to allergies. HICC Pet®  Ear Relief Finger Wipes, now available with Manuka Honey, and Deodorizing Glove Wipes  help make grooming your cat all that much simpler.

There are a few activities that seem to take up the better part of our cat’s days including sleeping and grooming. Both activities do take up most of their day as cats spend 30-50% of their day grooming themselves. They are grooming for a variety of reasons even though it might seem like they are just obsessed with keeping clean. Cats may groom themselves for a variety of reasons:

• Increase circulation
• Regulate body temperature
• Reduce anxiety
• Hide their scent from predators
• Alleviate boredom
• Acting out of instinct or habit
• · Clean injuries or soothe pain

But how much time they spend grooming themselves can differ based on factors such as breed, age, activity level, indoor vs outdoor and their overall health.

Not only do cats lick and groom each other to clean but there is also more to it. Cats practice what is called social grooming or Allogrooming as a form of bonding as well as forming a group scent. You even see this behavior in large cats like lions to which their group scent tells everyone else in the wild that they are a pack.

Grooming serves a social and behavioral purpose. Even large cats like lions can be seen grooming each other. Allogrooming, or social grooming, not only creates bonding but also establishes a group scent, which is especially beneficial in the wild to establish and recognize a pack. Cats groom their humans for much of the same purpose.

When a cat is licking or grooming itself, it is not always for the purpose of cleanliness. Grooming often serves as a self-soothing mechanism for cats. However, this behavior can sometimes lead to over-grooming, also known as psychogenic alopecia. You can think of it like us biting our fingernails uncontrollably until they bleed. In these cases, grooming becomes an obsessive-compulsive behavior, and cats may lick and chew themselves raw if not monitored.

This type of behavior can arise for various reasons, all of which are linked to anxiety and stress. For instance, moving into a new home or introducing a new pet can trigger stress. Additionally, because cats groom themselves so frequently throughout the day, it may be difficult to notice if your cat is overgrooming, as they already spend a significant amount of time doing it.

Grooming releases endorphins causing grooming to become self-soothing. While cats will groom themselves everywhere with psychogenic alopecia, they often focus on their bellies, inner thighs, and strips along their front legs. In the end, while the stress can be managed, cats who suffer from this will more likely return to the behavior any time they are stressed or have anxiety.

While, unlike their dog counterparts, cats don’t necessarily need their nails trimmed every 6-8 weeks, that doesn’t mean that cats never need it and some cats require it more often based on their habits. Cats usually file down their nails by scratching at things like cat trees, scratching posts, scratching pads, etc. Cats who are also outdoors rarely need it as they are on rougher surfaces, climbing trees, etc. But, not all cats are consistent with that or just have nails that grow fast. Just like mentioned earlier, cats who are seniors, obese or have arthritis may need more assistance in grooming and have them trimmed more often as they are limited in the activity that they can do. Not sure if you can do it yourself ? Ask your vet for a quick trim at your next visit!

Yes, dryness in the skin can lead to dandruff in both bots and humans alike. But dandruff isn’t always indicative of dry skin and can be caused by various underlying conditions or causes. Due to cat’s being naturally oily creatures, dandruff is usually due to lack of grooming or skin conditions. Common causes of dandruff in cats include:

• Parasites (fleas, mites, etc.)
• Diet
• Dehydration
• Allergies
• Metabolic Disorders/Cancer
• Seborrhea

Cats should be taken to the vet to rule out an underlying condition or try and determine the cause of the dandruff in order to properly treat it. Treatments include adding fish oil to their food and having a balanced diet, using products with coconut oil like shampoos or grooming wipes , oatmeal baths, and increasing environment humidity.

Ok, so A LOT of cats hate water but it doesn’t mean they all do and you shouldn’t assume your cat does either. You’re more likely to have better luck with kittens who can be desensitized from a young age. But that doesn’t mean that cats should just go completely unbathed. Have you ever tried using just a wet rag to wipe diarrhea off your long-haired cat’s booty fur? It’s not easy (speaking from experience) or pleasant for anyone. Into the bath they go/ While cats, especially indoor cats, don’t need bathing very often, it is still recommended to fully clean their fur and skin, especially when a member of the household is allergic to cats.

Still don’t want to risk an arm full of bloody scratches? We understand that. That’s why HICC Pet® Deodorizing Glove Wipes were made. Either skip the bath or use it in between baths to assist your cat’s grooming routine and keep them feeling fresh all day long.

In conclusion, understanding the common misconceptions surrounding cat grooming is essential for responsible cat ownership. By educating ourselves about the proper grooming practices and health indicators, we can improve our cats' well-being and happiness. Regularly brushing our cats, monitoring their self-grooming habits, and keeping their nails trimmed will contribute significantly to their overall health. Ultimately, when we invest time and care into our feline companions' grooming routine, we ensure they live their happiest and healthiest lives. Remember, a well-groomed cat is a happy cat!