Cat Grooming Tips

Cat Grooming – top tips to keep your cat looking purrfect!

Like us, our pets love a little indulgence. Every cat loves to be well looked after, but do you know how to groom your cat the right way? When you own a cat the grooming possibilities are endless – from head to tail. Our Somerzby team will give you a helping hand to treat your cat to a little bit of feline luxury, and have your cat looking puurfect.

The importance of grooming

Grooming can be a pleasant bonding
activity for both you and your pet cat

Cats are naturally clean creatures, they take great pride in their appearance. Grooming can sometimes be a big job and can require a helping hand at times.

Grooming is a great way for you and your cat to have some quality time together.

So why is grooming your cat important?

• Brushing distributes natural oils that help maintain skin and coat health.
• Grooming reduces the amount of hair swallowed by your cat and shed around your house.
• Brushing can be special one-on-one time with your cat that most cats will enjoy as it releases endorphins making them feel good.
• It’s a good opportunity to check for parasites and any skin, ear or teeth abnormalities
• Regular brushing keeps hair free of tangles and grass seeds, which can cause matting, painful skin infections, and abscesses.
• When you regularly groom and handle your cat you’re more likely to recognise when something isn’t right and are able to go to your vet for early diagnosis and treatment.
• Regular grooming from a young age gets kittens used to being handled and examined.

How to Groom your Pet Cat

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.

Keep your first grooming session 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!

Always brush in the direction that the hair naturally lays, never against the ‘grain.’ Be extra gentle around the belly and chest. Brushing twice a week for most short haired cats should be plenty while long haired cats may need brushing daily.

Grooming Short Haired Cats

• Start with a fine-toothed metal comb. Run it through the cat’s fur from head to tail tip.
• Watch for small pepper-like specks that could indicate the presence of cat fleas.
• Use a bristle or soft rubber brush next to remove loose hair.

Grooming Long Haired Cats

• Start with a wide-toothed comb to remove debris that may be caught in the cat’s coat. Carefully untangle any knots.
• Next, use a wire brush or a bristle brush to remove loose hair.
• Consider using a toothbrush to brush around the cat’s face.

Bath Time

Most Cats aren’t keen on bathtime, if you cat is
healthy and clean there is no need to bathe them

Just the words alone are enough to strike fear in most cat owners. On occasion, your cat’s coat might become sticky or dirty to a degree that the old tongue-bath just isn’t going to cut it. So you’ll have to get involved. Fortunately, though, bath time doesn’t have to be a time of terror for the both of you – if you do it right:

• 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.

Remember that most cats don’t like baths. If your cat is healthy and clean, there is no need to bathe your cat.

Note: If you’re planning on trimming your cat’s nails – we recommend doing this BEFORE bath time.

Nail trim

Not every cat is happy to have their nails trimmed. Some cats run just at the sound of clippers, whilst others will be happy to sit on your lap and purr away while having their cat pedicure.

Start out by spending some time just training your cat to be comfortable and accepting of having her feet handled.

Begin to massage its feet on a daily basis. Do that by running your hand along its leg, and then very gently pressing with your thumb on the pad of each toe, causing the claw to extend. After a week or two, the cat will likely become comfortable with its daily foot massage.

How to Trim your Cats Nails

Your cats nails should be
trimmed every 10 -14 days

• 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.
• Trim every 10 days to 2 weeks

Ear Check

When you groom your cat, it is also a great time to give them a once over and check for any ear, skin or body issues.

Regularly check your cat’s ears, this will also help keep your healthy and happy and hearing well. Signs of ear issues:

• The insides of their ears appear moist or reddened.
• The ears contain more or different discharge than usual (a little wax is normal).
• They react when you examine their ears when usually they’d tolerate it.
• Their ears smell or your cat shakes their head or scratches at their ears.

Remember, grooming doesn’t have to be horrible and have you running for the band –aids whenever you attempt to groom your cat.

Stay calm and enjoy the time you spend together, you may find after a few grooming session your cat will be fully relaxed and enjoy having you pamper them.

See Also

• How to love and care for your pussy cat
• Essential tips for all cat owners
• Outdoor Cat Enclosures

Sources:

• http://www.hillspet.com
• https://www.vetwest.com.au/
• https://icatcare.org/
• http://advantagepetcare.com.au