GROOMING YOUR CAT

 

 

Grooming plays an important part in caring for your cat.  It varies from breed to breed, of course.  Some require daily brushing and combing (usually the long haired breeds), whilst others need grooming less often.  Cats spend a large part of their time grooming themselves naturally. As they grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to reach certain areas as they become less flexible, so it is nice to help them by assisting with the grooming process.

 

It is best to get your kitten accustomed to being groomed from a very early age.  Gradually build up the amount of time you spend grooming your kitten until it is quite happy to allow you to brush it.  Eventually the kitten will enjoy being groomed and will come to see it as part of its daily routine.  If you approach grooming as a chore then so will your cat.  It may even put up a bit of resistance, resulting in grooming becoming a task you put off.  If your kitten becomes accustomed to being handled, then it is less likely to feel nervous when making future visits to the veterinary clinic for an examination.  Your kitten will feel comfortable being touched by people.  It also makes any visits to the surgery less stressful for both you and your cat.

 

When you are grooming your cat, it is also an ideal time to check it over for any lumps and bumps.  You can also check the skin, by parting the hair, to see if your cat has any skin problems such as fleas or any sore or inflamed areas that may require treatment.  Also remember to check the cat’s eyes, ears, mouth, nose, feet and nails from time to time.  If your cat stays indoors, the cat’s claws will need to be clipped regularly.  If your cat goes out, this will not be necessary as it will probably keep them in trim itself, and outdoor cats need longer claws for protection.

 

Indoor cats should be provided with a scratching post to keep their claws short.  If their claws are too long they can catch on the furniture and if a claw becomes torn, it would be painful for the cat.

 

Long haired cats look very pretty but do require a lot of help with grooming.  If you have a long haired cat, use a wide toothed comb to remove any dead hair.  If you find a knot in the hair, gently tease it apart using your fingers.  Try not to use scissors and if the hair is very matted, you may have to take the cat to a veterinary surgeon to be shaved, most likely under sedation.

 

Dolly

 

Short haired cats need very little grooming but it is best to brush them regularly so that they become used to being brushed.  A rubber brush would gently remove any dead hairs.  Some of these short haired cats have delicate coats and skin, so be careful when using combs and brushes that you are not damaging the cat in any way.

 

Kasper and Amber – Bengals

 

Before you actually start using a brush or comb on your cat, use your fingers to loosen the dead hairs, by going through the coat in the opposite way to the hair growth, just like a massage.  This helps to stimulate the natural oils in the skin that give a nice healthy shine to the coat.

 

© Janice Ascott