With the amount of time they spend fastidiously licking their fur, you could be forgiven for thinking that cats are self-cleaning. However, this is simply not the case, as expert groomer Dr Kim Kendall from the Chatswood Cat Palace knows all too well.
“When I started as a vet two decades ago I would have said that no cat needed a bath — their tongues are very efficient! But with the amount of pollution, pollen and diesel in Sydney’s air, many cats are getting covered by that same black grime that you wash off your face every day, and they have to lick that off — and sometimes it burns their mouths and makes their skin itch,” she says.
No matter where in the country you’re from, chances are your cat is exposed to a lot of dirt on a regular basis. Frequent grooming will not only help keep your cat looking good, it will also enable you to be a better care provider for your feline friend.
“Regular grooming, which involves washing, combing and massaging, allows you to pick up on any developing sickness in a cat,” Dr Kim says. “You notice changes in coat quality, lumps and bumps and scabby bits. You also get to check for ticks, which is also important for cats outside the tick zone.”
Not only that, but a cat’s skin can sometimes get irritated by allergies from fleas, food, dust or pollen. “The more they lick the worse the problem gets. A soaking wash breaks the cycle,” says Dr Kim.
Grooming can be done at home with professional tools or, for a much easier solution, why not visit your local expert? After all, getting on the wrong side of those claws is never a pleasant experience!
To have your cat thoroughly pampered by Dr Kim and the team, visit thecatpalace.com.au.
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