This Is How Regular Grooming Can Protect Your Cat From A Life-Threatening Illness
Grooming is one of those things that many cat owners don't really think about. Cats groom themselves, so beyond that, there's no need for a pet parent to intervene, right? Unfortunately, that's not quite true. While cats do excel at keeping themselves clean, it's also potentially dangerous for them to keep doing that day in and day out without any help from a pro. Here's what you need to know that your cat is up against.
What it Is
Your cat is at risk of developing a condition called a gastrointestinal blockage. In other words, your cat can develop a blockage inside its guts, either in the digestive system or in the colon.
How it Happens
Gastrointestinal blockages don't just happen all on their own. They develop when a cat consumes too much fur.
Contrary to popular belief, cats aren't capable of digesting fur. Any fur that they consume is either vomited up or pooped out. But what happens when it's not capable of getting out? A blockage ensues.
Gastrointestinal blockages in cats are more common when your cat has long fur, but it can happen to a cat with fur of any length. It's particularly common during the early start of the warm seasons, as cats start to shed some of their winter coat and end up digesting it. It's also more common if your cat has fur mats, or clumped up, tangled fur. When they rip these out, they tend to eat them, and since they're already big and tangled, it acts as a springboard for a full gastrointestinal blockage to develop.
What to Do
Thankfully, protecting your cat from this condition is extremely easy. All you need to do is get your cat groomed on a regular basis.
Your vet or groomer will know how often your cat should be groomed based on their age, the season, and the length of their coat, so listen to their advice. But by simply bringing in your cat at least once a month, you can rid them of shedding fur, get rid of any mats, and greatly increase their chances of never having to experience a gastrointestinal blockage or even another hairball.
Keep in mind that if your cat ever shows signs of not eating or pooping, that they may already have a gastrointestinal blockage and you need to get them to a vet's office. But if your kitty seems to be in good shape, then start visiting a groomer today.
For more information on pet grooming, reach out to a company like Elizabethton Veterinary Clinic.
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