Why Cats Need To Be Groomed By Sam Kohl Contrary to popular belief, the self-grooming done by cats does not eliminate the need for professional grooming. The cat's natural habit of licking has a seriously harmful effect.
Cats have tiny barbs on their tongues that pull out lots of hair as they groom themselves.
The large accumulation of hair that is swallowed as a result of this licking causes those dreaded hairball formations. They may develop throat and intestinal problems even if they're given hairball remedies. Professional grooming of the cat is therefore not a luxury - it is an absolute necessity. Grooming reduces the amount of loose hair that can be swallowed. In addition, brushing and bathing effectively reduces the dander on the cat's skin which causes human allergies.