Groom Your Cat - Very Important Grooming Tips
Your feline will look (and feel!) like the cat’s meow after a good grooming session.
By nature, cats are extremely fastidious. You’ve no doubt watched
your kitty washing herself several times a day. For the most part she
can take care of herself very well, thank you, but sometimes she’ll need
a little help from you.
Make Grooming as Enjoyable as Possible - For the Both of You!
Grooming sessions should be fun for the both of you, so be sure to
schedule them when your cat’s relaxed, perhaps after exercise or eating.
You want your pet to remember grooming sessions in a positive way, so
you never want to risk losing your temper. If you’ve had a stressful day
or are in a bad mood, it’s probably not a good time to groom your cat.
Keep your first grooming sessions short - just 5 to 10 minutes.
Gradually lengthen the time until your pet is used to the routine. You
should also get your pet used to being handled. Get in the habit of
petting every single part of your cat - including ears, tail, belly and
back - and especially the feet!
And keep in mind, a little patience can go a long way. If your cat
is extremely stressed out, cut the session short and try again when
she’s calmer. Unfortunately, most cats do not like baths, so you may
need another person to help. And remember to pile on the praise and
offer her a treat when the session is over.
1. Brushing
Regular sessions with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair
in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout
her coat, preventing tangles and keeping her skin clean and
irritant-free.
If your cat has short hair, you only need to brush once a week:
- First, use a metal comb and work through her fur from head to tail.
- Next, use a bristle or rubber brush to remove dead and loose hair.
- Be extra-gentle near her chest and belly.
-
If your cat has long hair, you will need to brush every day:
- Start by combing her belly and legs; be sure to untangle any knots.
- Next, brush her fur in an upward motion with a bristle or rubber brush.
- To brush her tail, make a part down the middle and brush the fur out on either side.
2. Bathing
If your cat’s coat becomes greasy and oily, or if she’s gotten into
something sticky or smelly, she’ll benefit from a bath. Use a mild
shampoo that’s safe to use on cats, and follow these easy steps:
- First, give your pet a good brushing to remove all dead hair and mats.
- Place a rubber bath mat in a sink or tub to provide secure footing.
- Put your cat in a tub or sink that has been filled with about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water.
- Use a spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes or nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, a large plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup will do.
- Gently massage in shampoo, working from head to tail.
- Thoroughly rinse with a spray hose or pitcher; again, avoid the ears, eyes and nose
- Dry your pet with a large towel.
3. Nail Clipping
Most people really don’t handle their cats’ feet until they are
about to clip the nails and then…watch out! Some animals can get very
upset at this totally foreign feeling. That’s why it’s a good idea to
get your cat used to having her feet touched before you attempt a nail
trim. Rub your hand up and down her leg and then gently press each
individual toe—and be sure to give her lots of praise and some food
treats as you do this. Every animal is different, but chances are that
within a week or two of daily foot massage, your cat will accept nail
clipping with too much fuss. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by applying gentle pressure to the top of the foot and cushiony pad underneath—this will cause her to extend her claws.
- Use sharp, high-quality cat nail scissors to cut off the white tip of each nail, just before the point where it begins to curl.
- Take care to avoid the quick, a vein that runs into the nail. This pink area can be seen through the nail.
- If you do accidentally cut into this pink area, it may bleed, in which case you can apply some styptic powder to stop the bleeding.
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