How Often Should I have My Cat Groomed?

Cats are known for their fastidious grooming, so why would they ever need a bath? Well, there are many reasons. Your cat could be older, arthritic or overweight and have trouble reaching certain spots on her body. She could get depressed or sick and not groom herself as often as she should. What if your kitty encounters something stinky? Or what if you have allergic guests coming over and need a way to reduce your cat’s dander?

Your best bet is to get your cat used to taking baths from a young age.  Cats can be so good at grooming themselves that the fur they swallow turns into a clump, called a trichobezoar (or hair ball), in their digestive tract. If you’re lucky, the hair ball will come up (and you won’t step in it). If not, you may have to take your cat to the vet to have it surgically removed.

One way to help prevent (or at least reduce) hair balls is to brush your cat every day to remove excess fur. Persians, Ragamuffins, Siberians and other medium-to-long-haired cats have gorgeous coats, but they usually don’t come that way. Their coats need regular maintenance to prevent mats and hair balls. Whether you need to groom her coat daily, weekly or monthly will depend on the individual cat’s needs.

In general, the softer and more cottony your cat’s coat, the more it will need to be brushed and groomed. If you have the time and are willing to make the effort, you can groom a long-haired cat at home. Otherwise, you should seek out a professional groomer.