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Sure, petting, brushing, and combing Fluffy (or Fido, or Trigger, or even Bun-Bun and Lizzie) is a wonderful way to bond with your animal, but it also helps you to be more attuned to the animal\u2019s overall health. You, the animal\u2019s caretaker, should be the first responder in detecting illness or injury.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s true. The more you touch your cat, the more likely you are to discover any problems before they become serious. By running your hands over her regularly, you\u2019ll notice any emerging abnormalities\u2014such as lumps or bumps, scratches or scrapes, mats or ticks, and more. When petting or grooming your pet, pay attention to the feel of your animal\u2019s coat, the contour of his body, and his scent. Check Tabby\u2019s claws, look in her mouth, lift her tail, and run your hands over her entire body. She\u2019ll probably love the petting, but maybe not the probing, so be sure to give her a special treat afterward to reward her patience and ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Lilymirror-1-225x300.jpg\")
good health.<\/p>\n
Certainly, you pay attention to your cat\u2019s behavior. You notice when a gluttonous kitty refuses a meal; a friendly, in-your-face, underfoot-kitty starts hiding out in the back bedroom; when she\u2019s vomiting or suddenly has litter-box issues. But sometimes she might be suffering secretly or she\u2019s not yet suffering from a cancer that\u2019s forming, a flea infestation, an in-grown claw, a skin issue, a bad tooth, ear mites or something else that you would only notice during up close and personal sessions with your cat.<\/p>\n
This site gives additional perspectives as to why grooming is important to your cat\u2019s health: https:\/\/www.petwave.com\/Cats\/Basics\/Grooming.aspx<\/a> \u00a0Here\u2019s a site with information about grooming techniques: http:\/\/www.pethealthnetwork.com\/cat-health\/cat-grooming<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sure, petting, brushing, and combing Fluffy (or Fido, or Trigger, or even Bun-Bun and Lizzie) is a wonderful way to bond with your animal, but it also helps you to be more attuned to the animal\u2019s overall health. You, the … Continue reading