Cats usually spend up to a third of their time licking, keeping their coats clean, cooling their bodies and even relieving stress. But what should you do if your Pet suddenly stops grooming? This is cause for concern and could signal a problem.
Medical View
When a cat won’t lick itself, it could be a sign of illness or a psychological condition. The most common causes are:
Pain or discomfort – cats often ignore hygiene if they have dental, joint or back problems. Any movement can cause them discomfort.
Obesity – being overweight makes it difficult to reach certain areas of the body, especially the back and tail.
Skin and coat diseases – allergies, fungal lesions or parasites can cause a cat to avoid licking because it causes pain or itching.
Stress and depression – changes in environment, new pets, moving or losing an owner can affect habitual behavior.
If your pet stops licking altogether, it is important to visit your veterinarian: it could be a symptom of serious internal problems.
From a grooming point of view
From a practical point of view, a cat that does not groom its coat quickly becomes a “ball of tangles”. The piled up hair prevents the skin from breathing, creates conditions for infections to develop and can even cause painful tension. This is where cat grooming comes to the rescue.
Regular combing helps to replace natural grooming and prevent the formation of tangles.
Professional grooming in the salon allows not only to put the animal in order, but also to notice problems with the skin or coat in time.
Care in a complex – sometimes cats need bathing with therapeutic shampoos, especially if there are skin diseases.
If the cause is health – grooming will not replace treatment, but will significantly relieve the condition of the animal, relieve discomfort and help restore the quality of the coat.
Conclusion
The fact that the cat does not lick, almost always a signal of a problem: from physical pain to psychological stress. Ignoring this behavior is not an option. The right combination of veterinary care and regular grooming can help restore comfort and beauty to your Pet, and give you peace of mind about his health.
