WHY DO CATS BATHE THEMSELVES?
Why do cats clean themselves? You must have seen a cat licking its paws or chewing on herself from time to time.
Cats are clean pretty much 100 percent of the time. That means you never have to take the time out of your day to perform the somewhat painstaking task of washing and grooming your cat.
Self-grooming is a trademark characteristic of most cats that begins right after birth. others lick their kittens to clean them, provoke urination and suckling, provide comfort, and strengthen their bond. At 4 weeks of age, kittens begin grooming themselves and shortly thereafter start grooming their mother and littermates. This self-grooming and mutual grooming (referred to as allogrooming) continue into adulthood.
A normal cat can spend as much as 50% of its waking time grooming itself (or another cat). As a result, cats are typically very clean animals, though in some cases grooming can become a form of obsession.
Why do cats groom?
Cats groom themselves not only to keep clean but for several other health reasons:
- To regulate body temperature.
- To keep her coat clean and smooth by distributing natural skin oils.
- To stimulate circulation.
- To cool herself down through evaporation of saliva.
- To eliminate parasites, infections, and allergies
- To prevent hairballs.
- Displacement behavior. If a cat feels embarrassed, anxious, or as though she’s in a conflict, she may lick to calm herself.
Should You Groom Your Cat?
If your cat enjoys being brushed or combed then I encourage you to do so. Grooming your cat can serve to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Grooming can also help you screen your cat for any problems that may be developing on the skin. However, many cats do not take fondly to being groomed by any tools but their own, so if you value your own safety, it’s best to leave these cats to take care of the job themselves! If your cat is prone to hairballs, matting fur, or excessive shedding, you may need to leave the grooming to a professional groomer.
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