Cat grooming
Cat grooming is routine care of a cat’s coat, skin, claws, ears, and teeth. It includes self-grooming and care provided by people.
Cat brushing: The use of a brush or comb to remove loose hair, debris, and tangles from a cat’s coat. Regular brushing reduces loose hair and prevents mats, especially in long-haired cats.
Cat self-grooming: A cat’s cleaning behavior, in which it licks and nibbles its coat and skin. Self-grooming removes debris and distributes saliva, but cannot replace every form of care.
Cat coat: The covering of hair on a cat, varying in length, density, texture, and pattern. Coat structure determines which brushing methods and grooming frequency are appropriate.
Overgrooming in cats: Excessive licking or chewing of a cat’s coat that can cause hair loss or skin injury. Overgrooming may reflect itch, pain, stress, or another condition rather than ordinary cleanliness.
Professional cat grooming: Coat and hygiene services for cats performed by a trained groomer. Professional handling may help with difficult coats or tasks beyond an owner’s comfort.
Cat bathing: Cleaning a cat’s coat and skin with water and, when appropriate, cat-safe shampoo. Bathing can remove substances or dirt that brushing cannot, but most cats need it infrequently.
Barbed cat tongue: A cat’s tongue has backward-facing keratin papillae that catch loose hair and help spread saliva. These papillae make licking effective at detangling fur while also carrying shed hair into the mouth.
Cat skin: The organ covering a cat’s body, providing a barrier and supporting sensation and temperature regulation. Skin condition affects how grooming products and handling should be chosen.
Feline psychogenic alopecia: Hair loss associated with excessive self-licking in cats after medical causes have been assessed. This diagnosis is considered only after physical causes of excessive grooming are investigated.
Veterinary dermatology: The veterinary specialty concerned with diseases of animal skin, ears, hair, and nails. Persistent itching, lesions, or hair loss require diagnosis rather than cosmetic grooming.