Grooming your Cat
by: Deborah on January 19, 2007
Most cats, short- and long-haired, can benefit from regular grooming, whether done at home or in a professional grooming shop. Cats usually like the personal attention from their owners, and most enjoy being brushed – it feels good!
Regular grooming removes dead hair and reduces hair balls, distributes skin oils over the coat, removes or prevents mats from forming, and helps to locate and eliminate parasites. It can even help keep a cat healthy since wounds, growths and excess hair or weight loss can be identified during the grooming process.
Tools
Pet owners usually only need a few basic grooming tools:
• A small slicker brush
• A comb with fine and medium teeth
• Nail clippers
• Cotton balls for wiping ears and eyes
Technique
Hold the cat in your lap or place him on a table or chair. If he is not used to being groomed, start petting his head and body, and slowly, gently start to use the slicker brush. Most cats will like the way it feels and will sometimes even rub back against it. Do not brush too hard or too quickly. As your pet becomes more tolerant of the grooming procedure, you will be able to maneuver him to reach the sides and belly.
Use the comb for any snarls or very thick hair starting to mat – the cat will probably not like this, so hold the mat close to the skin and tease the hair, without pulling the cat’s skin. It may require two people.
Do not use scissors to try and cut off mats – cat skin is very thin and even a small nick can widen into a gaping skin wound. For severe problems, visit your professional groomer.
Use nail clippers to cut off just the tip of the claw (white part only) and the cotton balls moistened with baby oil or pet ear cleaner solution to wipe out ears.
In the Grooming Shop
Professional groomers have the experience, tools and resources to provide bathing and blow drying, severe mat removal or shaving if necessary. This is also the place for fleas and ticks to be treated with special shampoos and parasite products.
Cats that are totally intolerant of handling but are in dire need of grooming may need to be tranquilized by a veterinarian. This is for both the safety of the cat and the groomer handling him.
A REMINDER FROM DEBORAH: Year round, regular grooming for your pets is very important, whether done at home or by a professional groomer. Bathing, brushing and full grooms help maintain your pet’s skin and coat, keeping him looking and feeling good. And don’t forget, in this area, monthly flea and tick prevention is a MUST all year round.
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