cATS NEED bATHS?
Don't cats groom themselves?
Not exactly. It's a common myth that cats "groom" themselves. What they're really doing is licking—this doesn't replace professional grooming.
Licking can actually create issues by spreading dander and leading to the ingestion of loose hair, which causes hairballs.
Cats licking themselves does remove some dirt, debris, and loose hair from their coat. But, without regular bathing, dandruff, matting, and foul odors will persist.
Senior and overweight cats especially struggle to reach certain areas, which can cause mobility issues, stains, and odors in their home.
Bathing your pet is an essential part of their holistic health and comfort, and we are here to dispel myths about feline care.
What can professional grooming help with?
Professional grooming offers more than just a clean coat. Regular grooming can:
Prevents matting
Eliminates hairballs
Decreases shedding
Prevents in-grown toenails
Decreases litter tracking
Improves ear and eye health
Reduces allergens
Eliminates parasites and bacteria
Improves your cats Immunity
Better quality of life for cats and owners
Professional grooming gives your cat the care their tongue just can't.
MYTHS ABOUT CAT GROOMING
MYTH: Cats groom themselves, which makes them clean
Cats are well-known for their ability to maintain good hygiene through daily self-grooming. Cats spend roughly 30 to 50 percent of their day “grooming” themselves. This has led to the common belief that cats do not need to be bathed, a myth that has been proven to be false!
MYTH: Cats hate water, and it is cruel to bathe them
While most cats dislike water, all cats can be conditioned to tolerate the bathing process. Cats are often drawn to running water, such as faucets and fountains, and some breeds are even known to enjoy swimming! The key is to minimize stress. Our team of qualified professionals is skilled in understanding feline behaviors and temperaments, and will always prioritize a cat’s well-being.
MYTH: Fish oil can cure a cat’s dandruff
While fish oil may help humans with joint pain, it is not an effective treatment for feline dandruff. The only way to cure and prevent a cat’s dandruff is by maintaining healthy skin and fur, which involves removing excess oils and eliminating microbial overgrowth. Regular bathing helps balance the skin’s PH, decrease bacteria, and strengthen the natural barrier, improving immunity.
MYTH: Brushing regularly will prevent mats
While regular combing can help delay matted fur, the most effective way to prevent matting is to bathe regularly and then complete a thorough blow-dry. Cats are naturally oily, and as they shed, the grease causes their fur to stick instead of falling away. This leads to tangles, knots, and eventually pelting if not addressed.
MYTH: Special diet and medication are the only ways to prevent hairballs
Hairballs form when a cat licks themselves and ingests large amounts of loose hair. The actual quantity of dead coat trapped can be alarming. The only thing a cat can do to manage the fur is swallow it. Regularly bathing, blow-drying, and combing out can significantly reduce or eliminate hairballs.
MYTH: All pet grooming is the same
Cats are not small dogs! Most professional dog groomers have not received proper training in professional feline grooming and handling. What is beneficial for dogs is not suitable for cats. Purrvana Chicago’s groomers have received training from the National Cat Grooming Institute to provide unparalleled care, unique to your cat.
We offer a range of grooming services tailored to enhance the health and beauty of your beloved pets.
With 25 years of veterinary experience, our team is well-equipped to handle a variety of feline temperaments.
At Purrvana, we strongly advocate for maintaining a regular grooming schedule in order to promote the best overall health for your feline family members. As such, when a previous full service groom was performed 6 weeks or less ago, cats can receive a complimentary additional pampering or set of front nail caps depending on owner preference.
We pride ourselves in only using products that have been designed and tested to be safe for cats, please let us know if your kitty has any known allergies or sensitivities