How Cats Keep Clean: Understanding Normal Habits and Vet-Approved Tips

Cats are pretty famous for being grooming champs, you know? They clean themselves a lot. But there's a thin line between the usual clean-up and when it gets a bit too much or too little. Like, some cats go all in, grooming non-stop, and then there are those that kind of slack off. Both extremes usually hint at some other health issues.

So, to keep an eye on your furry buddy's health, it's good to know what's normal for their self-cleaning routine. If your cat seems to be going overboard or not doing it enough, best to check in with your vet to figure out what's causing this grooming hiccup.

Now, why do cats even groom themselves? Well, it's not just about looking good. They're distributing oils for that soft fur, getting rid of dirt and bugs, calming themselves down, boosting circulation, regulating body temperature, and bonding with other cats or their little ones. In short, it's a big deal for their well-being and social life.

Since this grooming thing is so important, most cats spend about 30% to 50% of their waking hours doing it. Imagine if we humans bathed that much! You should catch your cat in the act quite a bit.

They've got this two-part system going on: the tongue and the paws. The tongue is like a natural comb, picking up stuff and keeping their coat healthy. The paws help out in places the tongue can't reach, like the face, top of the head, and neck. They even use their forepaws to spread oil around for that shiny coat.

But, you know, not all cats stick to the grooming routine. Some older cats might have a hard time reaching everywhere due to arthritis or other conditions. If their tongue or paws hurt, they might skip the grooming session. Sickness or hormonal issues can also make them slack off. And sometimes, it's just a behavior thing, like a cat with a wacky brain might spend more time circling than grooming.

If you think your cat's slacking off, take them to the vet to rule out any health issues. And you can pitch in too – take them to a groomer or give them a good brush at home.

Now, there's the other extreme – compulsive grooming. This is when cats go all out and start losing hair, getting skin issues, and irritating themselves. It could be parasites, skin problems, pain, stress, or some other health drama. If you notice this, off to the vet you go. The cat might need treatment for the skin issues, and they should check for other health stuff too.

When do you hit up the vet? Well, if your cat is grooming way less or way more than usual, that's a sign to call the doc. Under-grooming and over-grooming could be pointing to serious health stuff.

Now, if your cat's not keeping up with the grooming, here are some things you can do. First up, make their world stress-free. Stress messes with their grooming routine. Regular brushing is a good call, especially for the fluffy ones, the sickly ones, the oldies, the kittens, and the chubby fellas. Get them used to the brush, or maybe try a wall-mounted one for when you're not around.

And baths – if your cat can handle it, it might just motivate them to pick up their grooming game. Baths also tackle any creepy crawlies in their fur, and special shampoos can help with certain issues.

There's this Hepper's Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo that's got good vibes. It's got natural stuff like aloe vera and oatmeal, no irritating junk, and it'll keep your pet's skin feeling good. Plus, it's got this chill cucumber and aloe scent.

So, the bottom line is, cats are like walking self-cleaning machines, but sometimes they need a little help or a vet check. Keep an eye on their grooming routine, and if things seem off, get in touch with your vet. In the meantime, make their world stress-free, brush them regularly, and give them a bath if needed. The vet can sort out the rest based on what's bugging your cat.