Some humans think it’s a little weird how much we groom ourselves (It can take up 30-50% of our waking lives). They never stop to think about how weird we think it is that they bathe so rarely. Or how disgusting that is. We thought we’d take a few minutes to do a little educating on why we do what we do. Once again, it’s time to teach your human. (Our pictures include examples of why this important task should not be left to humans.)
Grooming helps us cool down – You will notice that, unlike humans, we do not become drippy, smelly messes when it gets hot or we exercise. We sweat through our pads. The drying of the saliva from our grooming also helps us cool down.
We can wash our own backs – Remember last week when we were talking about how cool it was that our collarbones don’t attach to the bones in our bodies (only our front legs)? Not only can we squeeze through small spaces, we can turn our heads around to reach our backs to wash them. Even between the shoulders.
Our grooming may be tied to our general health – Humans don’t need to worry about the amount we groom on a regular basis (we are ultra-clean animals). It’s if we groom more or less than usual. More grooming could mean stress or tension. Less grooming could mean we can’t reach the area anymore or it hurts to groom there. Or it could mean that we got into something yucky.
Our amazing tongues are responsible for hairballs. You know how we have those little hooks that help carry the food and water back into our mouths? They also carry any loose furs back there. We have to swallow those furs. Then we have to hack them up. Voila! Hairball. You can use this information as a weapon if you’d like.
We bond through grooming – No surprise here. We’re not going to let just anyone put their mouth on our precious fur. Besides, our moms showed us they loved us through grooming. As adults, how else are we going to get the new guy in the house to smell decent? It marks us a one of the family.
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We only groom the humans we love – Once again, we are bonding like our moms taught us. Why do some humans immediately wash off our love? No clue, but we love them anyway. Even if they do smell like human.
Our furs have muscles – That’s the secret behind how we fluff up when we get scared. The guard hairs use their muscles to stand up. Humans have puny hair compared to us.
Our furs have cuticles that point away from our bodies – It’s kind of like being covered with overlapping shingles. If the shingles are all pointing in the right direction, we’re smooth and silky. If some of the shingles get moved in the wrong direction, we can get rough and spiky. Sometimes humans think it’s funny to pet us in the wrong direction. Then they get offended when we immediately lick the furs back into place. It feels weird with the furs kinked up. We’re not the antisocial ones, they’re the ones messing up the natural order.
Hopefully, we given you some good conversation starters. If you have trouble getting their attention, a hairball usually does the trick.
Pictures courtesy of Google Images
Adventures in Cheeseland 
That was very interesting. I do like that I don’t have to give my cats a bath.
The cats and I are equally grateful for that
Mom and I hope that those cats were photoshopped, or images superimposed onto them.
I know the actual cuts are real.hopefully not the poor kitty who looks like she got a tattoo. There was a “dragon cut” fad awhile ago. Luckily, fur grows back
Yeah, the little humans are the grossest!! They could use more baths for sure.
Obviously, human moms don’t love their children as much as our moms do. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
So true!
i have never seen such imaginatively groomed cats! And loved learning that fur has muscle!
Fur rocks!
So interesting about the fur having muscle! I also like it when kitties look completely natural, except for the times when long fur must be trimmed to prevent mats.
We don’t object to any of the “lion” cuts that are needed to get all the mats out. We just don’t think our furs were intended to be dyed or turned into dinosaurs. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
I learned A lot of new things about your coats and grooming! Thank You!😸🐾💕 just one question. What in the name of Cat, would make Any human think its a good idea to shave ugly designs into a cats coat! I would give them a good scratching if I were A cat!😸😘🐾💓
No idea whatsoever. Our fur is gorgeous the way it is. Thanks for the kind words
Great post. Kitties have a lot to teach us humans. We need to learn to wash more to get rid of COVID.
Thank you. And you make an excellent point about COVID. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
Really enjoyed your blog and some of the photos.x😻💖🐾
Thank you!
Hi Guys! Yes it has been a while! We are so glad that you are still here! We love your post about cat baths! We don’t groom each other – it usually ends up with a bite and chase! We hope you have a marvellously Happy Day!
Thanks! We keep nagging Mom to visit you guys. So far, she got the address in two places. Hopefully, we’ll be over soon. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
Furabuluss post Snoopss an Kommando!! LadyMew said shee wuud nevurr dye mee furss or have mee get sum weerd haircut!
Shee letss mee due all mee own groomin butt a few timess a week shee doess give mee a gentell brushin’…
**purrss** BellaDharma an {{huggiess}} LadyMew
Thanks! We don’t understand why some people feel like they have to mess with our perfect fur. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
Wee not understand this eether Snoopss an Lommando. Kittiess are purrfect as they are!
This must be a Cat Spa. These kitties are spotless. Thabks for the info on grooming.
Jean
They seem pretty well bonded too
lol your so funny i love your blogs
Thank you!