Cat Wellness – Coat Care for Our Velvet Paws

Softer, softer, my cat! What could be nicer than getting cosy after a long day and stroking your fluffy cat? Or giving your house tiger a long cuddle while it purrs contentedly. Purring calms the nerves, and cat fur has an unbeatably soft, velvety feel. What a wonderful (cat owner's) life! For us cat fans, a cat's coat seems to hold an almost magical pull – and really, which true cat person can resist when a cat signals that it wants to be petted? If we at LucyBalu had to explain this attraction in purely scientific terms, we'd quickly land on biology: a shiny, healthy coat is, among other things, a sign of a healthy cat. At least, that's what our vet says. And healthy is always good. But there's more to it than that, isn't there?

No pet is as clean as the cat – we'll say it here, quite boldly. Which other animal cleans, licks or grooms itself as thoroughly and as often as our house tiger? We say: none. And yet, many of us were told off as children for taking a mere “cat wash”. How did the cleanest pet of all come to be equated with a quick, sloppy wash? The reason is simple: cats don't use water for their grooming – and so a “cat wash” came to stand for a less-than-thorough clean. How unfair! After all, cats groom themselves for two to three hours – every single day. And they're not just doing it half-heartedly, no. They clean their coat thoroughly by spreading saliva through their fur with their bristly tongue, then licking it dry again. So it really is a complete wash that's taking place. Almost everyone will recognise the face-washing routine in particular: the front paws are dampened and drawn over the face several times in a row, just like a washcloth, until every last speck of dust has disappeared from the coat. Before the big clean-up begins, any foreign matter such as burrs or dirt particles is removed from the coat, and cats patiently work out any tangles in their fur – swallowing huge amounts of hair in the process. These hairballs are also known as bezoars. They really don't bring us owners much joy. Because when too much hair collects as a ball in the stomach, cats have to bring it back up and spit it out – a definite downside of all that cleanliness, if you ask us.

But for our cats, grooming isn't just about plain old cleanliness – there's an incredibly important factor at play too: social grooming. This means cats groom their playmates, their humans, and each other. What's behind it? Love! And a little bit more besides. First of all – if your cat licks your hand while you're stroking it, congratulations: you are loved! Cats often lick us quite literally from head to toe. This has a lot to do with trust and affection. The same is true when it comes to grooming other cats or animals in the family – grooming and licking strengthens the bond between them. On top of that, the cat also picks up your scent, or the scent of its other animal housemates, this way – and bonds with them even more closely. And finally, our endlessly mysterious velvet paws naturally have one tiny ulterior motive too – it's their loving way of marking us as their own. Very much along the lines of: this human, or this playmate, belongs to me. But really, it's a huge compliment either way.

Why We Should Support Our Cats with Coat Care

Whether cats roam freely outdoors or live strictly indoors – they will all groom and clean themselves (and us). So why should we, as owners, step in with a comb or brush ? There are several reasons for that:

• The practical reasons: cats have an unbelievable number of hairs. A normal cat can have up to 25,000 hairs per square centimetre. We barely manage 350. Even though cats are pretty much perfect at grooming themselves, you can support your velvet paw with regular brushing to help get rid of old, shed hair from all that growth. Your flat, your furniture and all your dark clothes will thank you for it.
  Especially during the shedding seasons in spring and autumn, brushing lets you catch a lot of hair before it piles up under beds and cupboards
  
• The health reasons: in some cats, swallowing too much hair leads to the formation of solid hairballs in the digestive tract. In rare cases, this can lead to serious stomach blockages and, as a result, serious health problems. Regular combing can reduce these risks.
  Combing also makes it easier to spot irregularities more quickly, such as parasites, inflammation or inconspicuous wounds.
  And finally, combing boosts blood circulation in the skin – which in turn promotes healthy hair growth.
  
• The animal-welfare angle: long-haired breeds such as Persians or Angora cats can't adequately look after their own grooming. These breeds need to be brushed at least once a day. Their coat is simply too long for natural self-grooming and would otherwise become badly matted within just a few weeks.
  
• The social reasons: we know that cats groom us because they love us – so why shouldn't we say thank you in cat language, and love them right back? A good long session of stroking, combing and brushing strengthens the bond between you. Most of the time…

Bristling at the Cat Brush

So you're full of energy and eager to give your cat a really thorough brushing right away – with the very best intentions, you approach your beloved house tiger, brush firmly in hand. After the very first firm stroke, a sabre-toothed tiger suddenly attacks you… what on earth just happened?

Adult cats that aren't yet used to combing often really do need to get accustomed to it first. As an owner, that takes patience, time and strong nerves. But if you give your velvet paw the chance to get to know a comb or brush, you can at least start to approach them with a now-familiar tool. If your cat is relaxed and is just grooming itself, you can carefully start combing. Ideally, alternate between your hand and the brush in the fur. As soon as your cat signals discomfort, please stop – and continue the next day. In most cases, after a while, your house tiger will come to associate brushing with something positive, with you. But watch out – if your cat is spoiling for a fight, or is in a full-on playful mood, brushing is off the table for now – otherwise that sabre-toothed tiger we mentioned will be back in your face.

Important: always brush in the direction of the fur – and especially at the start, avoid spots your cat doesn't like.
By the way, a little bribery never hurts either. If your cat has a sweet tooth, simply offer a few treats during combing. Most cats will be at least a bit more cooperative that way.

Of course, things are simpler if you're bringing home a young kitten. Kittens can get used to new things, like brushing with a cat brush, playfully and very quickly.
However you approach it – once your cat feels how good combing feels, it might even start asking for it. Then nothing stands in the way of long, cosy evenings of cuddling and combing.

The Right Brush for Every Cat

Strengthens the bond with your house tiger: cats often appreciate combing as a special kind of petting, and cherish this special time together