Cats and water go together like diets and ice cream. Every cat owner has their own horror story of the time that they made the mistake of getting their cat too close to the shower. You’ll notice a pattern in these stories: it only ever happened once. You may think that bathing your cat is just not worth the hassle, but cats actually need our help with grooming more than you may think. Cats naturally groom themselves several times throughout the day, but there are many things that our furry friends can’t do on their own.

Cats need to be brushed regularly to remove excess dirt from their coats, especially if they spend a majority of their day outside. Long-haired cats will also need extra grooming attention because their fur is more likely to get knotted and tangled throughout the day. Even short-haired cats could benefit from a good brushing every once in a while. You may even find that your cat enjoys being brushed, making it easier on you and your furry friend.

Cats also need to have their claws regularly trimmed. Most cats will try to do this themselves by scratching on carpet, furniture and walls to file down their nails, but if you want to save yourself the shredded couch, you can help your cat by trimming his nails yourself.

Unlike dogs, cats don’t require baths on a regular basis. Their innate grooming habits keep their fur relatively clean, and unless your cat is a complete outdoor cat, it’s unlikely that their fur will get very dirty. That being said, it is a good idea to bathe your cat every once in a while, especially if he has longer fur. Some breeds of long-haired cats have coats that can get very oily if not bathed often enough. Talk with your vet and your groomer to decide how often your cat should be bathed for his skin type. On average, a bath every other month should suffice for most breeds.

While cats are usually very good about keeping their bodies clean, there is one spot that they have trouble reaching. A cat’s ears can become easily infected by dirt or ear mites, and cats have difficulty taking care of this themselves. Cleaning and swabbing their ears regularly will help keep them healthy and clean.

This may seem like a lot of work, but don’t worry. Cats are relatively low maintenance and don’t require grooming as often as other pets. Still worried about handling it yourself? Doggie Styles is not just for dogs! We are trained in cat grooming, as well, and are more than happy to help keep your cat groomed and healthy. Give us a call today to talk more about how we can make your cat’s grooming as easy as possible for both you and your furry friend.