Let’s face it: cats are the divas of the animal kingdom. They strut around with an air of superiority, as if they know they’re the most magnificent creatures on Earth.
But even our furry royalty needs a little pampering now and then! In this article, I’ll share some essential tips for cat grooming that will help keep your feline looking fabulous without turning you into a full-time groomer.
The Basics of Brushing
By the way, brushing your cat is not just about keeping their fur looking great; it’s also vital for their health. Imagine how tangled and matted hair can get if left unchecked—yikes!
Regular brushing helps remove loose hair, dirt, and dander while preventing those pesky hairballs from making an appearance. Trust me; no one wants to deal with a surprise hairball on their favorite rug.
Now, let’s see what kind of brush you should use. Short-haired cats typically do well with a soft-bristle brush or rubber grooming mitts that feel like a gentle massage.
On the other hand, long-haired beauties require more specialized tools like wide-toothed combs or slicker brushes designed to tackle tangles. It’s almost like choosing between a fancy spa treatment or a quick shampoo—both have their place!
Interestingly enough, many cats actually enjoy being brushed! If your kitty starts purring while you groom them, take it as a sign that they appreciate your efforts.
However, be sure to introduce brushing slowly and gently at first—nobody wants to turn their pampering session into an Olympic wrestling match!
Bath Time: A Necessary Evil?
Truth be told, whenever someone hears of ‘cats needing a bath’ their first two reactions are: ‘Would I want to do that?’ and ‘Why are you inviting trouble’?
Well, they’ll be glad to know that in general, cats do not need regular baths due to their self-grooming habits, BUT there are instances when Mr. Whiskers may need a bath such as when he rolls around in dirt or mud outside.
Therefore, before starting the entire process, make sure that you have all the essentials at hand because if not, then there is a chance you will regret it.
So, make sure you’ve got pet friendly shampoo (Never use personal care products) as well as towels and maybe a few treats, so in case he tries to get you back for bathing him, you can distract him.
Speaking of which, make sure the temperature of the water used is just lukewarm (not hot nor cold) and only fill in the tub or sink to a small extent so that they do not feel too much pressure
Wash the coat slowly using a g cup or spray nozzle however try not getting water in the ears and eyes – trust me, those little squints are not at all adorable!
Nail Trimming Without Inflicting Pain
On balance, trimming cats’ nails is another important part of grooming cats which is not quite enjoyable for quite a good number of pet parents.
You might be wondering why such a simple operation seems to be more akin to attempting to diffuse a bomb than just cutting nails! But fear not, practice and perseverance can help you get through this task.
For starters, buy good quality nail clippers designed for cats. These are often likened to small scissors or trimmers that resemble a guillotine, anything but those huge hedge clippers in your garage!
But again, before plunging into the nail trimming time and me more grief, allow them to sniff the clippers first.
The difficult area to master is where you should cut without hitting the sensitive areas called ‘quick’ However, this area contains a lot of nerves and blood vessels which makes it appear scary, which it really is scary.
So, if you accidentally cut back too far and give yourself an ‘ouch’ cut, the bleeding can be controlled by applying some styptic powder.
Following Your Cat’s Dental Hygiene
Here’s an interesting fact, dental care is something that rarely gets attention when we talk about our cats, but did you know the negligence of dental care can lead to serious health conditions?
Our cats also require proper dental care more than regular visits of humans to the office. This is similar to how people need to visit a dentist every year, and no one actually likes to do so.
How do we stop worrying about our felines flaunting those ugly brown patches on their teeth? To be fair, best practice would be to start incorporating a toothbrush in your kittens feeding regiment as soon as you get her, and if it’s too late then you can try brushing her teeth too.
You can try using some patches that are only intended for cats dry, and if mint’s your thing then try pet toothpaste and a cat’s toothbrush.
Should brushing ever seem out of the realm of possibility (and let’s be real here – it probably should), then why not try and provide some dental treats designed especially to clean their teeth during snack time instead!
These delicious goodies do a great job of reducing tartar deposits and at the same time they enjoy the treats – a perfect win-win situation!
Conclusion
In the end and you may quote me on this one – I trust that these recommendations and tips are able to help you make grooming almost painless like attempting to bust a move on the dance floor at a wedding!
One thing you should keep in mind is that one should remain committed in maintaining the looks of our precious furry children since at the end of the day a happy kitty means a happy owner!
Suggested Resources:
Cat Grooming Tips
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cat-grooming-tips
How to Brush Your Cat
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/general-cat-care/how-brush-your-cat
The Importance of Cat Dental Care
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/dental-care-pets