Reader\'s Digest Australia - 07.2019

July• 2019 | 17

It’s normal for cats to spend a lot of time grooming

coat include little dander, no bald

patches and a shiny, thick texture.

4 KEEP WOUNDS CLEANCat

saliva is thought to contain enzymes

that turn it into a natural antibiotic.

If your cat licks a wound, it may be

guarding against infection. Always see

your vet if your cat sustains an injury.

5 STIMULATE BLOOD FLOW

Similar to how a hairbrush promotes

blood flow on the scalp, your

cat’s tongue, which is covered in

tiny, bristle-like hairs, improves

circulation.

6 OUT OF FRIENDSHIPFamiliar

cats will groom each other as a sign

of affection and mutual trust.

7 RELAXATIONCats take comfort

in the ritual of self-cleaning.

ADULT CATSspend up to half of their

waking hours grooming, according

to veterinarian Dr Cynthia McManis.

1 GUARD AGAINST PREDATORS

Cats instinctively clean away food

and additional odour-causing agents

so they will not be detected by

potentially threatening animals.

2 COOL DOWNCats sweat a little

from their paws, but they mostly

rely on saliva evaporation on their

fur to maintain body temperature.

Grooming controls around one-third

of a cat’s cooling process.

3 FUR MAINTENANCE AND

WARMTHBy licking itself, a cat

helps distribute its natural oils evenly

around its skin and coat. This oil

guards against dampness and seals in

heat. Qualities that indicate a healthy

Reasons

Why Cats

Are So Clean

BY JENNIFER VIEGAS

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

7

PETS