Grooming helps with cat's health, happiness

Older or obese cats may need help staying well-groomed. Considering how much time your cat spends grooming, do you really even need to be involved in the process? Yes! Taking care of your cat's coat keeps her healthier, makes her easier to live with and strengthens the bond between you.

Although many cats — typically longhaired, older or obese — must have some help with their grooming, any cat can benefit from human intervention. Even if your cat isn't a high-maintenance type with silky, long hair, helping with grooming offers some benefits to you, as well:

• Shedding. The fur you catch on a comb or brush doesn't end up on your sofa cushions, sweater or the cream cheese on your bagel in the morning.

• Hairballs. Regular grooming by you keeps the volume of fur swallowed by your cat to the utmost minimum, and that means fewer hairballs on your rugs.

• Bonding. Although your cat may not like you getting involved in grooming at first, if you're persistent, especially with the praise, your cat eventually comes to enjoy the time you spend together at this important task.

• Money. Paying attention to your pet's body not only helps avoid some health problems, but it also helps you detect signs of illness early, which is better for both your wallet and your pet.

• Allergies. Studies have shown that good grooming, including regular baths, can help allergy sufferers cope with their pets.