Cats are efficient self-groomers; they are neat freaks who seem to spend most of their time either grooming or sleeping. They might seem rather low maintenance but in reality, they can benefit greatly from regular checking, cleaning and grooming. Grooming is effectively much more than just making your cat look cute, in fact, it is advised that regular grooming will help you keep an eye on your kitty’s health. This guide will show you how to effectively groom and clean your cat.
Benefits of grooming your Cat
Grooming your cat regularly has a number of benefits: it prevents feline health issues such as intestinal blockages caused by formation of hairballs; it stimulates natural oil production for a healthier, shinier coat; it is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your cat; it allows you to check for fleas, ear mites, lumps or bumps; and it serves as a health check to supplement the annual visit to the vets, for more info on how grooming your cat can be beneficial, contact secure a cat, the best in cat netting and cat enclosures.
Start Early
Grooming should be done from an early age to allow your kitten to get accustomed to being groomed. Forceful grooming or restraint is advised against as this will become a negative experience for your cat. Your aim is to gradually increase the amount of time you spend grooming your cat until it becomes a habitual routine. Grooming from an early age also stands to strengthen the bond between you and your kitty.
Shorthaired Cat
For shorthaired Cats, you should use a fine-toothed comb, a bristle brush, a rubber mitten or grooming pad, and a damp cotton for the grooming activity. Grooming should be carried out at least once a week. Make sure your cat is happy and relaxed, be gentle and always finish with treats and praise.
Longhaired Cat
For longhaired Cats, you should use a wide-toothed comb and a rubber mitten or grooming pad. Massage the skin thoroughly by gently rubbing your fingers against hair growth from tail to the head. Use the wide toothed comb to remove any dead hair. Grooming should be carried out once a day. Make sure your cat is happy and relaxed, be gentle and always finish with treats and praise.
Dematting
Preventive grooming is key in dealing with Matts or knots which are very uncomfortable for a cat and can be difficult to remove at home. If you come across one, do not cut it with a scissors, rather tease it apart gently by using your fingers and working slowly from the root towards the end of the hair. If you come across a severe matt, refer it to a professional groomer or a vet as it will have to be shaved off.
Bathing
Cats generally do not tolerate being bathed but it nevertheless makes life easier for people with cat allergies. If your cat is healthy, there is usually no reason for a bath. For longhaired cats however, it is advisable to keep the hair trimmed around the bottom to prevent fecal residue.
Comments are closed.