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Cat Grooming

Tips for Welcoming a Rescue Cat into Your Home

We love to share cat grooming tips, but today we’re talking about another important initiative to support our feline friends. Did you know that June is the ASPCA’s Adopt a Shelter Cat Month? Not only is the program designed to bring awareness to cat adoption, but June also marks the month that typically has the highest number of large litters of kittens born. Unfortunately, many of these kittens end up in Portage area animal shelters.

If you think it might be time to adopt a cat and add to your family, it’s natural to wonder about all the steps you’ll have to take for successful adoption. You want to be sure you find the right cat to fit your lifestyle and that you’ve thought about veterinarian services, cat grooming services, and what items and food you may need to purchase and have in your home.

How to Successfully Transition Your Rescue Cat into Your Home

It’s an exhilarating time when you’ve decided to adopt a cat and know you’ll be bringing them home shortly. Since cats are territorial animals, coming into a new home will likely leave them feeling uneasy. To start things off on the right foot, provide a small area to call their own for the first few weeks.  You can add their food, water, a litter box, and any at home essentials for cat grooming in this space.

Follow these additional tips for an easy transition:

  • Bring the cat home in a cat carrier as it will provide a sense of safety.
  • Once home, bring the cat directly to the small area you’ve set up.
  • Sit on the floor and let the cat come to you in their own time. They may be frightened.
  • Provide the same food as what they were eating at the shelter, at least to start.
  • Don’t feel discouraged if your cat doesn’t seem comfortable right away. It may take them a week or two to adjust and remind all your family members to be patient.
  • Make an appointment for your newly adopted cat to visit a Portage veterinarian to make sure they are doing well and that there are no health concerns that need attention.
  • Find a local cat grooming service that you feel comfortable with and find out what service options are available for their first appointment.

Quality Cat Grooming Services at Smoochie Pooch

While cats are known for their interest in self-grooming, they do benefit from professional grooming services. An experienced groomer can help keep long-haired fur in excellent condition, reduce matting, ensure ears are clean to avoid infections and help reduce shedding. At Smoochie Pooch, we know what your kitty will love and take great pride in helping them enjoy their grooming experience. To learn more about cat grooming, contact us.

Categories
Cat Grooming

I Thought Cats Groomed Themselves?

Cats are known for their consistent self-grooming habits. Often found to be licking their paws, it’s easy to see why some cat owners assume that they wouldn’t need to find a reputable cat groomer in Valparaiso!

However, there are many diverse reasons why cats lick themselves, and their grooming habits don’t mean that a professional groom is never needed. Let’s take a closer look at your cat’s grooming routine and why cat grooming services should still be part of your overall pet care plans.

What Your Cat Is Actually Doing When They Groom Themselves

So what purpose is being served when you see your cat primping themselves? Interestingly enough, many of the benefits they get are not related to cleanliness at all.

While their work can help with coat maintenance, here are some other reasons that cats spend a lot of time self-grooming:

  • Thermoregulation. The saliva they spread over their fur evaporates and helps regulate their body temperature.
  • Stimulate circulation. A cat’s tongue is rough in texture, stimulating blood flow in the areas they lick, improving circulation.
  • Psychological benefits. The repetitive ritual of self-grooming stimulates endorphins, making it an easy way for cats to relieve stress and calm themselves down.

As you can see, grooming your cat should still be included in your list of things to do as a pet owner. Cats prioritize their own grooming, but it’s often not enough to ensure that their skin and coat remain healthy.

Why Cat Grooming Services Are Important

Cat groomers in Valparaiso can take care of all your cat’s needs, such as brushing, bathing, shaving, and nail trimming. Regular professional grooming will provide many benefits to your cat, resulting in a healthier coat, a reduction in odors and matted fur, and fewer hairballs.

In addition, your groomer will check your cat for fleas and ticks, lumps and bumps, skin irritations, and other issues you may not otherwise notice. You should also see reduced shedding, which means you’ll spend less time getting cat hair off your clothes and furniture.

Find Cat Groomers in Valparaiso

Now that you know that grooming your cat is something that can’t be left entirely up to your pet, it’s time to find the right groomer for the job. At Smoochie Pooch, we treat every pet as if they were our own. Our extensive training combined with our commitment to helping cats and dogs look and feel excellent means that your pet will love their time with us! From long-haired breeds to kittens, let us pamper your cat and help them feel their absolute best. To book your cat grooming services, contact us.