Introduction
Cats are fastidious animals. They keep themselves clean. The interesting thing is that they spend one-third of their awakening period grooming themselves. However, they need some extra care and love. So, as a pet owner, you have some responsibilities to groom your pet properly. therefore, here is grooming tips for properly grooming your cat-
How To Groom Your Cat?
There are several parts in grooming your cat
Brush the Fur
Brush the cat’s fur. You may have a cat that has bushy hair. Then you need to brush its hair more often than when you have a short-haired cat. Brush the kitty twice a week if the hair seems very tangy.
Otherwise, brushing for just one time is okay. Now, what brushing will do is- it will remove dead hair, dirt, and grease from the cat’s hair. Also, it will enhance the bond between you and your kitty.
Now, not any comb won’t do the job. There are specialized combs for cats you’ll find in the market. You need to buy one of those to comb the kitty’s hair. You can buy either a metal comb or a rubber one.
However, comb more frequently if the cat is shedding hair too much. Also, cat breeds, like- the Persian longhair, Maine coon, or grand Siberian, need additional hair grooming sessions as they have longer hair than other breeds.
Brush the fur slowly. Do not pull the brush if it is stuck with the comb teeth. Instead, pat on its back and give treats and words of praise as you go along so that the kitty doesn’t get scared.
Your kitty may not like to sit quietly at first. Approach it to do so. Start to comb slowly. However, if the cat seems too annoying to sit down, combing the fur when it’s sleeping can be the best solution. Be gentle and try not to wake it up.
Clip the fur if too long
Pay close attention to whether the cat needs a trim or clipping. Shorthair cats don’t need to be clipped.
Clip the long hair if it’s matting. Take help from a professional groomer to clip the hair.
Get a specialized trimmer for your cat. You’ll find a variety of clippers and trimmers in the market for your kitty. Or use a pair of scissors if you prefer. Do not use your grooming kits.
When clipping, go for short strokes and take frequent breaks. Cutting too close to the skin might burn it.
Brush the hair before you clip or trim.
Clip leaving an inch of hair so that it doesn’t look unnatural. It also will help to prevent any skin issues and hair-related problems.
Be careful around the critical areas. Try not to hurt your cat.
Hire a pet grooming professional if you can’t do it yourself or the cat is too agitated to be restrained.
Give the cat occasional shower
If the cat gets smelly or dirty, give it some occasional bath even though it has natural grooming tools; the tongue and teeth.
Take your kitty for bathing when it’s relaxed.
Trim the claws and brush the hair before bathing. Play with the cat before taking it to the bath.
Put some cotton balls in the ears to prevent water from entering the ears before taking the cat for bathing.
Placing a rubber mat in the tub would prevent the cat from slipping during the bath.
Use lukewarm water for bathing the kitty. Take the water in such an amount so that it barely reaches half of the body of your cat when it’s standing. Putting too much water increases the risk for the cat to drown.
Pour water a little at a time to get your kitty using a handheld showerhead or spray hose. Massage the cat with diluted shampoo with water in the direction its fur has grown. Do not put shampoo in the face, ears, or eyes. Just wipe those parts with a wet washcloth.
Put the cat in a large towel and dry her with a hairdryer soon after the bath is finished. Put the hairdryer in the lowest settings. But if the cat is scared by the noise, then just air dry it.
Ear cleaning
Get a vet-recommended liquid ear cleaner and put some on a small cotton ball. Make the kitty sit calmly on your lap. Fold its ear back lightly and patiently remove the debris on the backside of the ear.
However, do not try to poke into the ear canal as it can cause bleeding and infection. Moreover, the cat might get startled.
Paw and Nail Clipping
There are clippers used to clip cat’s nails. You should buy one for your kitty. Clip the nails every ten to fifteen days.
Clipping the nails not only keeps you safe from scratches but also helps the kitty to walk comfortably without any pain. Also, it prevents breaking the claws.
Take another person’s help to hold the cat firmly. Trim the nails, leaving some space from the finger. Cutting at the edge might hurt her.
Don’t clip the nails forcefully. And give some treats to the cat at the end of the clipping session.
Oral Care
Your cat deserves to get fresh and healthy oral health. Bring a feline toothpaste specialized for cats. Use a cotton swab to clean the mouth at least thrice a week to keep the breath fresh. Ask the vet whether you should use a toothbrush for your kitty. Massage the gum with your finger to remove any build-up and prevent gingivitis.
The cat’s gums should be clean, firm, and pink. Any redness or swelling in the gum or brownish marks in the teeth indicates an unhealthy oral condition. Also, a strong smell from breath can indicate ulcers or other health issues. In that case, make an appointment and take it to the vet.
