Signs Your Cat Needs A Bath

If you have a cat, you likely understand that your furry friend can be independent. Felines can handle most of their grooming on their own, but sometimes, a little more pet care is needed to keep them clean and healthy. Here are a few signs your four-legged friend needs a bath.

How to Know It’s Time to Bathe Your Cat

1. Greasy Fur

Greasy fur looks clumpy, feels oily, and forms peaks and parts in the coat. When your cat’s fur becomes greasy, it will mat and trap dirt and debris as they roam outdoors. Your indoor cat may pick up chemicals, and debris from around your home. These contaminants will be transferred onto your bed, couch, and carpet as your cat curls up and walks throughout the house. This also makes for an uncomfortable cat! Elderly cats have more trouble grooming themselves as they age, and may not be as efficient in cleaning their fur.

2. Strong Odors

Strong smells are often the result of curiosity. Some cats like to adventure into nooks, and they may encounter insects, garbage, and other odorous objects. If your feline has long fur, urine and feces may get trapped on their legs and underside. To avoid this issue, keep their coat trimmed, cleaned, and scoop the litter box regularly.

3. Excessive Shedding

While shedding is a normal function and nothing to worry about, it can create issues for your cat’s digestive tract. When felines groom themselves, they ingest loose fur, then cough up hairballs. Brush and bathe your furry friend to wash off excess fur and minimize the discomfort of hairballs. Don’t over-bathe your cat, as you may dry their skin—schedule a bath with a groomer every four to six weeks.

4. Something New to Do

Just like humans, cats prefer to have their nails filed down to a comfortable length. In fact, cats have been trimming their nails since the beginning of their evolution! This is why they prefer to have designated scratch posts. However, our domestic cats do not have the opportunity to climb and scratch trees as they would in the wild. Humans have to trim their nails so they do not snag, break, or become infected from being too long.

*Pounce Tip* Start training your kitten from an early age to tolerate grooming. The younger they are when they begin, the less stressed they will be over their lifetime with bathing and going to the groomers. Plus, it makes the humans’ job so much easier!

Visit our Menu of Services to see the grooming that we offer for you cat!