SO FRESH, SO CLEAN
Behind Your Cat’s Grooming Habit Cats are famous for their cleanliness and an almost obsessive dedication to regular grooming. The fact that most cats don’t need baths is one of the many things cat parents tend to love about them. But cats don’t strive to keep their bodies immaculate for vanity alone. Their regular grooming habits are baked deep into their genetics.
help heal wounds. Finally, like many humans enjoy a bubble bath or hot shower to relax, cats often bathe just because it feels good.
But there can be too much of a good thing. When a cat overgrooms, it’s not a mere result of persnicketiness. Cats sometimes overgroom because of itchiness from fleas, other parasites, or allergies. The behavior can also be a psychological response to too much stress. Whatever the reason, overgrooming
Abbi Taylor Jan Kennedy Ivonne DeLaRiva Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding While cats themselves are notorious hunters, they are not immune to being prey to wolves, coyotes, or cougars. Since predators largely hunt based on smell, cats strive to keep themselves as scent-free as possible. Even if your cat is indoors only, their safety instincts remain strong. But cats’ grooming habits serve purposes beyond not becoming another animal’s dinner. Cats also clean themselves to regulate their body temperatures. Saliva evaporation helps keep them cool in hot weather, while spreading their natural oils evenly over their coat helps them stay warm in the cold. Cats also clean each other for social bonding and clean themselves to
can cause rashes, bald spots, and abrasions to the skin. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian if your cat is grooming to the point of pain, injury, or obsession.
Some cats also experience the opposite issue. Most cats don’t need human help with getting themselves clean. (Notable exceptions are hairless cats, which require regular baths, and some breeds of longhair cats that cannot handle their abundance of fur on their own.) But cats sometimes also avoid cleaning themselves due to physical challenges resulting from age, being overweight, or experiencing illness. Again, schedule a veterinary appointment to uncover the reason behind the habit change and determine the best path forward.
Your cat’s coat can be a helpful indicator of its overall health. Soft, shiny fur with little dander is a sign of a healthy cat, as is regular grooming. But if your cat’s routine (or lack thereof) becomes a problem, Surface Creek Vet is standing by to help.
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Inspired by DamnDelicious.net
INGREDIENTS
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3 cups whole wheat flour, divided 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
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1 cup pumpkin purée 1/4 cup peanut butter
1 zucchini, shredded
2 large eggs
1 cup baby spinach, chopped
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
DIRECTIONS
1.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and eggs on medium-high for about 1–2 minutes until combined. 3. Gradually add old-fashioned oats and 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed until barely incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time until the dough is no longer sticky. 4. Add carrot, zucchini, and spinach, then beat just until incorporated. 5. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough 3–4 times. 6. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape, then place treats on a lined baking pan. 7. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Cool completely before serving.
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