For health and maintaining an attractive appearance, a cat brush is required, which must meet certain requirements. It is known that combs for combing the undercoat help not only get rid of tangles, but also clean the skin of dead particles that can cause serious diseases. After all, a pet cannot always comb itself, putting its skin in order. Combs or slickers are especially important for combing long-haired cats, however, they will not cause harm to smooth-haired cats either. After all, even short hair, if not properly cared for, can mat and form tangles.
Why is it important to brush your cats regularly?
A comb for combing cats should be in every home. But why is it important to brush your pets regularly? There is an explanation for this:
- when brushing smooth-haired and long-haired cats, the amount of hair in the apartment that the animals leave behind when lying on the bed or playing on the floor is significantly reduced;
- Constant combing of hair helps to get rid of tangles and also prevent their appearance on the body;
- after using the slicker, the coat becomes smoother and more well-groomed, and the skin becomes well-groomed and healthy;
- If brushing of smooth-haired cats occurs too rarely or is absent altogether, the animal will have to comb out dead skin particles on its own, and the accumulation of hair in the stomach will cause it to accumulate - as a result, the cat may die due to digestive problems or from intestinal obstruction.
Special devices for combing out the undercoat can be found at any pet store. However, before buying it, it is important to select the device correctly.
Today, there are several types of combs for combing cats:
- anti-matt device;
- comb with rotating teeth for cats;
- puffers;
- scratcher;
- flea brush for cats;
- comb glove;
- comb with blade.
It is known that cats react to the sound of a comb, and they also have an “inappropriate reaction” to this device. Therefore, it is important to choose the right animal hair tool that is suitable for your pet and will not cause him discomfort. After all, if caring for a cat brings joy and benefits to its health, it will get used to such a procedure and will not run away at the sight of a comb.
Mr. Cat explains: diseases
But in some cases, a protruding tongue indicates the presence of certain pathologies in the animal.
If for no apparent reason your pet sits like this for a long time, this is a reason to sound the alarm and go to the veterinary clinic.
Respiratory diseases
A sign of many respiratory diseases and colds is a protruding tongue. These can be acute respiratory viral diseases, rhinitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. The situation is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, wheezing and wheezing, as well as mucus flowing from the nose.
Cardiovascular failure
With vascular pathologies, breathing problems always arise, since all tissues of the body do not receive enough oxygen.
If you experience severe shortness of breath with a protruding tongue, which is a sign of cardiomyopathy, pulmonary edema may develop. The animal breathes through its belly.
Other symptoms include loss of appetite, blue discoloration of the mucous membranes of the mouth, wheezing when breathing, tachycardia, and impaired coordination of movements.
Coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, hypertension can also be accompanied by the cat's tongue sticking out during rapid breathing.
Poisoning
In case of poisoning, the pet experiences the urge to vomit, causing the tip of the tongue to stick out. This symptom is usually accompanied by other dyspeptic symptoms - bloating, drooling, diarrhea.
Kidney failure
If the tongue sticks out due to kidney failure, then the pet most likely also has a strong ammonia odor from the mouth, increased thirst and a frequent urge to urinate.
Nausea and diarrhea, yellowness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, oily hair, lethargy and apathy may be added.
Infectious diseases
With infectious and viral diseases of cats, the picture is almost the same as with colds. But conjunctivitis, painful crusts on the nose and ulcers around the mouth are added. These may be rhinotracheitis and calcivirosis.
Inflammation in the mouth
The first thing to do if your pet is breathing heavily for no apparent reason, sticking out his tongue, is to examine the oral cavity. If there are ulcers and sores there, then it is most likely gingivitis or stomatitis.
Added to the symptoms are an unpleasant putrid odor from the mouth, decreased appetite, and refusal of solid food.
Tumors
Malignant tumors such as cancer of the tongue, throat, palate, and jaws can cause involuntary frequent protrusion of a cat's tongue.
The situation is aggravated by bleeding, severe bad breath, hoarseness, and refusal to eat.
A similar picture may occur with benign formations, for example, polyps.
Increased body temperature
A protruding tongue can occur not only due to external heat; fever also forces the animal to look for an opportunity to cool down. And high temperature, in turn, serves as a concomitant symptom of many diseases.
How to choose the right comb for a cat
When thinking about how to choose a device for combing cats’ hair, the first step is to take into account the following nuances:
- the condition of the animal's fur;
- type of undercoat (long, short, thick, semi-long);
- the purpose of combing is that this tool allows you to massage the cat, remove dead skin particles, comb out fleas, comb the undercoat and the fur itself.
Which brush is best for a cat? This mainly depends on the breed of the animal and the favorite “procedures” to be carried out. Today there are known combs for combing the hair of cats, which are called furminators. This is a modern device that can clean and comb a pet’s fur efficiently and safely, without causing him any discomfort.
There are several types of combs for cats, the best of which can only be determined by your pet:
Brush made from natural bristles
As numerous reviews say, a natural-based brush is suitable for all breeds of cats to care for their fur (see photo). Typically, a natural brush is endowed with a powerful antistatic effect, which allows for gentle care of the cat's fur and delicate skin. Typically, cats react positively to this type of brush.
Comb-mitten for cats
Such devices are used for massage, improving the general condition of the coat, undercoat and skin. It is important to note that the mitten helps to get rid of tangles, as well as to comb the coat in any condition - both wet and dry. Therefore, immediately after bathing, you can brush your cat, thereby improving its appearance. However, it is worth noting that this version of the device is not capable of providing high-quality care, in which all dead particles will be removed from the surface of the skin. Therefore, the mitten is often used during the final stage of combing (numerous reviews say this).
Crest
This comb for short-haired cats allows for daily hygiene of the animal, as it has a gentle effect on the skin, evenly combing the outer hairs. This comb is also well suited for combing out fleas on cats, allowing you to completely get rid of them in one use. Combs come with or without a handle, so you can choose the most convenient option for yourself.
Double sided brush
When thinking about which comb to choose for your cat, you can choose this option, since such a tool is quite useful and versatile. On one side, the brush has thin and sparse metal teeth, the ends of which are slightly rounded. On the second side there are natural or artificial bristles that allow you to comb the animal. Usually cats respond well to such combs, because they provide a pleasant massage and do not cause discomfort when used. You can see the design of such a brush in the photo.
Pukhoderka
A comb for short-haired cats, as well as long hair, is called a slicker brush. This is the most versatile pet care device that perfectly removes dead particles without causing any damage to healthy hairs. This type of comb has only small metal teeth, slightly curved towards the end. It is important to note that the thicker the cat’s fur, the longer and more often it takes to select the slicker teeth. But it is not recommended to comb tangled hair or tangles with such a comb - it is better to choose a comb with sparse bristles, which will not damage the skin and will also carefully untangle the hairs. How much does a powder coat cost? Today the price of the instrument is 150-300 rubles.
Comb with blade
The most modern type of device, the reviews of which are only the most pleasant. Cats react positively to it, so when choosing a comb, you can pay attention to this specimen. To familiarize yourself with the device, just look at the photo.
Physiological causes and symptoms
If your cat walks with its tongue hanging out, you should not be touched, but be wary and look for reasons. As a rule, a protruding tip of the tongue indicates swelling of the oral cavity, which may be associated with inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the mouth or throat. In some cases, the sign indicates periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis, or toothache. As such processes progress, the root of the cat's tongue swells and literally does not fit into the mouth.
Tumors in the oral cavity may make it difficult to close the mouth; the cat will keep its mouth open and its tongue hanging out. There are more than a dozen ailments that lead to the formation of nodules or ulcers on the gums of an animal, their spectrum varies from uremia and acute renal failure to viruses. If, when examining your mouth, you find nodules, cracks, bruises, open wounds or other changes in gum tissue, you should consult a doctor. Not all ailments can be determined without blood tests and a general examination, and improper treatment or self-medication will only harm your pet.
Hot weather can cause open-mouth breathing and tongue sticking out...but there are a few caveats. This condition can be considered normal if the air temperature is really very high, if the cat has nowhere to hide from the heat, or if it had to show forced activity. If a cat constantly sticks out its tongue and is not under stress, this is a symptom of an illness.
The biggest danger is missing the first signs of serious heart failure by being touched by your tongue sticking out. If your cat breathes like a dog, looks exhausted after running, or you observe pallor of your pet’s mucous membranes after exercise, you should consult a doctor. It is worth mentioning that if the four-legged animal has just made a forced march, while escaping from a dog or in pursuit of prey, breathing with an open mouth and protruding tongue can be considered a variant of the norm. The behavior indicates short-term oxygen starvation experienced during exercise.
If a cat often breathes with its mouth open for no apparent reason, it must be shown to a doctor. Perhaps your pet has a disease, the first symptom of which is difficulty breathing, the difficulty is that such a deviation is very popular and can be interpreted in different ways. Here are just some of the pathologies that can be determined independently (at least the probability of detection is high):
- Chipped tooth or gum inflammation.
- Lack of saliva - the mouth will look tight and dry.
- Respiratory failure - can be determined by wheezing, shortness of breath, cyanosis... but respiratory failure is a very vague diagnosis, which should be clarified by a veterinarian.
- Muscle atrophy – can occur due to pinched nerves or injury. It is determined simply - you need to touch your tongue and upper palate with your finger; if the cat does not close its mouth, then it cannot do this.
- Trauma, dislocation, subluxation of the jaw - accompanied by swelling, pain, and the inability of the cat to close its mouth. It is worth understanding that subluxation can occur without a blow or external influence, for example, when the articular tissues are destroyed due to metabolic disorders or congenital pathology.
Pet owners always have reasons and grounds for concern. Our pets depend on us, our attention and care. And we ourselves are to blame for this.
In many bred breeds, protruding tongue is normal due to physiology.
Many animals are able to take care of themselves. But it was we, people, who, in pursuit of beauty, exoticism, and unique characteristics of the breed, fixed one or more features through selection and genetic experiments. Without caring about how the animal can live, develop normally, adapt to cold or heat, or eat.
The flat muzzle of some cat breeds (for example, the beloved Persian beauties) causes improper bite formation. With such a bite, the tongue constantly sticks out, simply not fitting into the mouth.
British Folds often suffer from diseases associated with their skeletal structure. A striking example is the cat Melissa, who conquered the Internet for her resemblance to the portrait of Einstein due to her protruding tongue. But then the diagnosis of her disease became known: osteochondrodysplasia. It caused degenerative changes in the bones and affected the jaw.
We suggest you read: What to do if there is blood in your cat’s urine
Thai cats often suffer from the “forgotten tongue effect” - they are more likely than others to forget to hide their “sponge” after washing or during it, if something distracts their attention. Thais are excellent hunters and predators; even in the most caring hands they are almost never pampered. Their tongue sticking out while washing or sleeping is evidence of complete trust and relaxation, which is not characteristic of wild animals.
A protruding tongue may indicate a disease in the cat's mouth.
Physiological reasons include pathologies and diseases of pets.
- An allergic reaction that caused swelling of the larynx.
- Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, on the gums.
- Dental diseases.
- Improper functioning of the salivary glands.
- Respiratory disorders.
- Muscular atrophy.
- Injuries of the skull, jaw, dislocation and subluxation.
Often a cat cannot control its muscles normally for a long time after anesthesia without completely closing its mouth.
You should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible if you have the following symptoms:
- Rapid and difficult breathing.
- Increased fatigue.
- Aggressive behavior.
- Inflamed or dry mucous membranes, changes in their color, cyanosis.
- Problems with chewing and swallowing food, loss of appetite.
- Sores in the oral cavity.
If your pet, in addition to frequently sticking out its tongue, has another symptom, you need to show it to specialists in order to start treatment in a timely manner and take care of preventive measures.
How often should you use a cat brush for grooming?
In order not to harm the health of the animal’s coat, it is important to know how often you can use the device for combing out fur:
- during shedding, the tool is used 2-3 times a week;
- for long-haired cats, procedures should be carried out 3-5 times a week;
- Smooth coat grooming is carried out 3 times a week.
Attention! If your pet's fur is too long, you should buy a special spray at the pet store that makes combing easier. After all, not a single brush will be able to comb out tangles efficiently and quickly if they are too hard and varied in shape.
If the animal bathes too often, after water procedures it is necessary to comb it to avoid tangling of hairs. How much does such a device cost? Typically, prices for combs vary between 100-500 rubles, which depends on the number of teeth and the purpose of the tool.
What is important to pay attention to when purchasing
To avoid the cat’s reflex to the sound of a comb, it is important to pay attention to some nuances when purchasing a device. These include:
- the thicker a pet’s fur is, the more frequent the teeth should be (it doesn’t matter what type of tool it is – a brush, comb, comb or slicker);
- For short wool, short teeth are used, and for long wool, large ones;
- the steel used to make the comb must be of high quality and not oxidize when in contact with moisture;
- To prevent the wool from becoming electrified, it is recommended to choose only natural brushes made from high-quality materials.
Looking at the photos of combing devices, you can choose the right tool for caring for your pet.
Furminator for animal care
Since combing is considered a mandatory procedure, it is important to carry it out efficiently - a furminator can help with this. This is a modern device that is designed to care for medium-haired and long-haired animals. This comb helps get rid of dead particles and loose hair, while easing the general condition of the cat.
As you can see in the photo, the device is a metal plate on which teeth are randomly attached. This tool allows you to effectively capture all dead hairs and then pull them out. The comfortable handle makes combing easier and also helps to comb out fur even in hard-to-reach places.
There is no need to accustom the animal to such care, since it will enjoy the massage - this is considered an undeniable advantage of the brush.
The Furminator, due to its structure, is able to evenly distribute the animal's secretions - this helps the fur to be softer and smoother. Using the tool correctly, you will be able to maintain order in the house, because if you use it regularly, all dead hairs will remain on the teeth.
So, the fuminator is the best comb you can use to comb your cat. However, its price is significantly higher than regular combs and combs, so not everyone can afford such a purchase.
Symptoms when you don't need to worry
Relaxation. When the cat is resting or sleeping, she is relaxed, and even the tongue becomes a little longer. Many people have probably often watched how touchingly the edge of the tongue of a sleeping lump sticks out.
Absent-mindedness. After bathing and active licking, the pet may simply forget to hide its “brush” back. Also, after playing actively, the tongue may remain stuck out for a while.
Heat. In the summer, when it is hot outside, cats, like people, suffer from the heat. By sticking their tongue out, they regulate body temperature. If it is very hot, you need to help your pet. In order to avoid heat stroke, it is necessary to move the animal into the shade, be sure to give it water and wet its fur. In the future, monitor his condition. Avoid excessive overheating.
Malocclusion. Some breeds, such as Persians, often have an abnormal bite as a feature. As a result, the tongue does not fit in the jaws and sticks out. This can occur after prolonged selection and genetic changes. Such animals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions and breeding. If a pet has this feature and nothing bothers him, then everything is fine and there is no need to worry.
Excitement. If a cat is stressed, for example when traveling in a car or for other reasons, then the animal is scared and therefore sticks out its tongue. As soon as the cat’s anxiety passes, her condition returns to normal.
When to see a veterinarian
Oral diseases. If you notice ulcers, wounds or tartar in your cat’s mouth, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. After all, an animal can become infected through the mouth, which will lead to negative consequences, such as problems with the digestive tract. In this case, the veterinarian will prescribe effective treatment and the pet will have no problems.
Respiratory diseases. This may also be the cause of tongue protrusion. If your throat is bothering you or your nose is clogged with mucous secretions, it begins to capture more air and your tongue does not fit in your mouth.
Brain injury. With such an injury, the animal's tongue may protrude. This can also happen with nervous disorders.
Poisoning. If a cat is poisoned by something, a gag reflex begins. To do this, she needs to open her mouth wide to release toxins and her tongue remains protruded.
If you notice that your pet is sticking out its tongue, take a close look at it. Only a loving owner knows his pet and will be able to recognize why cats stick out their tongues and separate pampering from health problems. If the fluffy is just playing too much, but feels good, take the camera and quickly take a photo of your dear friend as a souvenir.
