Why is there a need to groom all indoor cats?
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Why is there a need to groom all indoor cats? A long life - or - a healthy long life. That is the difference that could be made by you, the guardian of your indoor cat. Nature created cats to live outdoors in nature's world. It was humans that decided to bring them indoors to live.
Mats hurt. Mats can pull the skin terribly. They do not just pull the hair, they pull it out at the root one hair at a time. They not only rub the skin raw, they pull it taut until it feels like it will split. Mats are unsanitary, uncomfortable and a constant source of stress because they can actually inhibit the movement of the limbs. No air can reach under the mat and the cat can not wash itself there, so it always suffers from itching, irritation, redness and dandruff in these areas. Do not pet your cat on the mats. The less you touch them the better. Arrange to have them removed as soon as possible. Should I trim my indoor cat's claws? Indoor cats should have their claws trimmed every two to three weeks. Not only may your cat inadvertently injure you or other cats in your home, but also claw and cuticle problems can make your cat limp, hesitant to walk or jump, or spend inordinate amounts of time licking and biting at the claws and cuticles. Claws can become imbedded in toe pads or pick up thread and other fibers from furniture, clothing or rugs causing real health problems like swelling, redness, oozing or infection of the cuticle and toe pad. Should I worry about my cat's teeth? Gum (periodontal) disease is one of the most common problems seen by veterinarians today. It is known as the "silent disease" because of its slow progressive nature. Besides bad breath, gum disease can lead to the loss of appetite, weight loss, serious generalized infections and even heart and kidney disease. The problem begins when plaque and tarter are allowed to build up on the teeth. Plaque harbors the bacteria that can lead to infection. Do I need to bath my indoor cat? Indoor cats need to be bathed just as humans do. You would be quite hesitant about licking the residue of life off your skin everyday... but your cat has no choice. Your reluctance to bathe your cat is probably a holdover from the days when people worried that bathing would give that cat a cold or that all natural oils would be washed out of the coat. None of this is true. The oils return to the coat in 24 hours and the coat actually improves with each bathing. All the loose dead hair is gone and the new growth is free to develop. Bathing can be done as often as necessary. If your cat lived in the woods and fields of the outside world instead of your home, every morning it would have its coat wet down by the morning dew and if you lived outdoors with your cat, it would be you that would not be able to shower and bath everyday for lack of facilities. I recommend that an indoor cat be bathed at least every four weeks, regardless of it being a long hair or short hair cat. Is it bad for my cat to be overweight? A cat that is even 10% overweight for its size faces 33% greater mortality rate. A cat that is 20% overweight faces a 50% greater mortality rate. Obesity can be painful for your cat. It can also cause sluggishness, poor circulation and a high risk of diabetes. Food -- either poor quality food or just too much of the good stuff -- causes 80% of dandruff problems in cats. The answers to the above questions reflect my personal opinions and what I believe to be the best methods. |
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