Cats are thought by most to be the most fastidious species in the animal kingdom. Sure, some people use terms such as, “mangy cat,” “filthy beast,” but in reality, cats spend around half their awake time cleaning themselves. And the reasons are many.
Cleanliness is important for cats in the wilds. If a cat leaves the scent of food on his whiskers after a good meal, for example, he can be more easily detected by hungry predators. And we all know how closely related our house cats are to those in the wild. We see their wild ancestors in our kittys’ play, while hunting, and in other cat habits. One of those habits is a lot of licking. And that licking serves vital purposes for the cat. It helps to remove dead fur from the cat’s coat, increases circulation, and controls body temperature.
Is it necessary to help your cat with his grooming routine? I maintain that it’s an important habit to adopt.
I used to have horses. While horses need more than a little help with grooming for their 
health and comfort, the process of grooming is also a good way to bond with a horse and gentle him. Isn’t this an important concept for your cat, as well?
By using a comb or brush on your cat—even by running your hand over her fur at least a few times a week—you can detect any suspicious lumps, skin problems, sores, or mats (tangled fur). Long-haired cats often need human intervention in order to keep their fur tangle-free, thus keep the cat more comfortable. Inside cats need their nails trimmed on a regular basis. It’s important to check a cat’s ears for dirt, mites or other potential problems. A dull, lifeless coat might indicate a cat with a health issue. Sometimes the signals are subtle at first. But we can thwart a more serious problem if we are tuned into our cat and notice the early signs of illness.
By the way, a cat who does not spend much time grooming, is probably a cat who is not feeling well. Likewise, if a cat continues to lick excessively in one area, this could be an indication of a problem brewing.
Once I noticed our Himalayan licking one paw over and over. When I checked, I found that the dew claw had started to grow into the pad. If I’d been more diligent in checking those furry paws of hers, I would have caught the problem before it began to cause her pain.
My Persian swallowed a needle once and it became stuck sideways in her throat. She loved sitting with me when I sewed and she must have been sitting too close to the pin cushion that day. We figure that when she licked her gorgeous shaded silver fur, she must have caught the thread from the needle on her tongue, couldn’t shake it loose and ended up swallowing it, needle and all. Thankfully I noticed the odd protrusion on both sides of her throat—still not knowing what it was or what had happened—and the vet was able to successfully and quickly remove it.
If you typically enjoy your cats from a distance, maybe it’s time for a change. Pet them all over regularly. Comb or brush their fur, examine their paws, ears, mouth and, yes, you should take a peek at the other end, as well. You might see signs of worms or swelling. Even if you don’t find any issues with your cat, the bonding that takes place is worth the time spent.
