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Cats/ok to groom a cat?

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Expert: - 4/7/2011


Question
We have a domestic long-haired cat, almost 2 years old.  He constantly sheds fur, even during our harsh winters.  Summer weather in our part of the country can be very hot and humid, and we allow our cats to go in and out of the house as they please.  We are seriously considering getting him professionally groomed at Petsmart before the warm weather turns unbearably hot.  We are concerned that this might traumatize our cat.  Also, we're not sure if his fur will grow back evenly.  Do you advise getting him groomed?  He is a very shy cat, preferring to hide in his cat house all day, but is affectionate with us when we force interaction on him.  Additionally, our short-haired black cat, 3 years old, always has dandruff.  What causes dandruff in cats and what can we do to get rid of it?

Answer
Anna,

To be honest I don't typically recommend that cats are groomed when it comes to shaving them for the summer by anyone but a veterinarian, that way if the cat needs sedation to be groomed he can be safely monitored and recieve appropriate doses of medication for his weight and medical history. As for the short haired kitty with the dandruff that's likely an issue with the quality of diet he's being fed...If you like I can offer information on appropriate cat nutrition. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me again - I'm happy to help in any way that I can.

Kind regards,

Ali

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Ali

Expertise

I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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