The Benefits Of Cat Grooming

Although cats are known self-cleaners, they may need a little help from their owners to look and feel their best. Grooming generally takes only 5–10 minutes, and can be an enjoyable bonding experience for both cat and owner. Read on for helpful cat grooming tips and methods.

Benefits of Cat Grooming
-Reduces painful knots
-Prevents shedding throughout the house
-Prevents flea outbreaks
-Cats ingest fewer hairballs
-Pet and owner relax and bond
-Produces a beautiful, shining coat

Eyes, Ears, and Coat Maintenance
The most important things to maintain during grooming are the eyes, ears, and coat. First, the eyes should be checked regularly for signs of irritation or infection. Consult a veterinarian if your cat’s eyes have any unusual discharge, redness, film, cloudiness, or change in colour, or if your cat is scratching at the eye area or seems irritated there.

Next, the ears should be inspected regularly. Carefully fold back the ear. A healthy inner ear should be pink without discharge. If there is excessive fluid, swelling, odour, or if it appears unusual in any way, consult a veterinarian. Do not try to clean the ear canal, as this could cause infection or trauma.

Lastly, the coat should be maintained regularly. Cats with short, fine hair need only be combed once or twice per week. Those with long, thick hair and manes are prone to knotting and matting, and should be combed and brushed on a daily basis. Combs with wide-apart teeth should be used for cats with thick or long hair, as in Persian cat grooming, while fine-tooth combs are appropriate for short-haired breeds. Follow with a cat grooming brush to distribute oils and add lustre throughout the coat.

Cat Grooming Tools
There are a wide variety of cat grooming supplies on the market today. The tools used will depend largely on the density, length, and thickness of a cat’s coat. Below are some commonly used cat grooming tools:

-Flea comb (metal, fine-toothed comb)
-Slicker brush (flat, metal, with fine wires to remove excess hair)
-Undercoat rake (a mini-rake, prevents undercoat matting)
-Grooming glove (no brush needed)
-Palm-held brush (brush is hidden under the palm)
-Seam ripper (a sewing tool, can be used to carefully remove knots)
-Cat shampoos, conditioners, de-greasers

Bathing Your Cat
Although cats generally keep themselves clean, they may benefit from a bath if their coat becomes dirty or greasy, or if they have come into contact with a foul-smelling or unsanitary substance. Long or thick haired cats may need to be washed more often than fine or short haired cats. Additionally, a bath can be a great benefit because many shampoos and cat grooming products are designed to combat fleas.

First, comb the cat’s hair well to remove dead hair, skin, and matting. Next, fill a tub or sink with a few inches of lukewarm water. It is best to use a non-slippery surface, such as a rubber mat.

When bathing the cat, wet and rinse the fur gently with a hand-held spray nozzle or a plastic cup. Throughout the process, avoid wetting the ears, eyes, and nose. Carefully and gently work the shampoo into the cat’s coat, starting at the head and ending at the tail. Rinse carefully and thoroughly. If additional conditioners or de-greasers are needed, apply them after the initial shampoo.

Rinse thoroughly and dry your cat with a large towel. Comb the hair to prevent tangles, especially in long-haired breeds. If desired, and if its possible!, dry the fur with a hair-dryer, blowing against the hair’s lay. Start with the upper body and end with the stomach.

Cat Grooming Tips
-For best results, groom your cat at a time when he/she is relaxed (after dinner normally).
-Speak soothingly to your cat while grooming.
-A cat’s stomach is a sensitive area—be especially gentle when brushing or washing there.
-Brush and comb in the direction of the cat’s hair growth.
-Groom with confidence!