Although cats are known for keeping themselves well-groomed, by assisting your feline friend with regular grooming sessions, you can bond with your kitty and keep your pet looking great. This guide will cover the basics of grooming and bathing your cat
Benefits of Grooming
Cats are so very particular about their own self-grooming, it almost seems like they may not need our extra help. They lick their paws to wet them and wipe their face, clean between each of their toes, and twist their spines around to clean even the most awkward places - like between their shoulders! The surface of a cat’s tongue is covered in tiny barbs that act like a comb to smooth out tangles and clean their fur. So, with all the cat’s attention they give to grooming themselves, why should we groom them?
One reason is that grooming your kitty will help strengthen your bond. Most cats enjoy the sensation of being brushed.
Grooming your cat also gives you an opportunity to give a general health checkup, by inspecting kitty’s eyes, ears, claws, and looking for parasites, feeling for lumps and bumps, and noticing changes in weight.
Regular grooming also helps cut down on the amount of loose fur that your cat ingests, and then coughs back up. It also helps cut back on the loose cat hair in your home.
Different Coat Types Have Different Grooming Needs
Longhaired cats like Persians and Himalayans need daily grooming to prevent their fur from matting. Also, their very thick undercoat sheds heavily.
Semi-Longhaired cats, like Maine Coons and Balinese, have a silky topcoat and a light undercoat that doesn’t matt as easily, but they should still be brushed weekly.
Wavy & Curly-Coated cats like the Devon Rex and Cornish Rex require less brushing. In fact, over-brushing can actually spoil the curly appearance of their fur. Bathing, rather than brushing, is recommended for curly-haired kitties.
Shorthaired cats are generally very easy to maintain. They largely will groom themselves adequately, but weekly brushing and grooming is wonderful for bonding and checking on health.
Hairless cats, like Sphynx or Peterbarld are not actually entirely bald, but have a very short overlay of fuzz. It’s not enough fuzz, however, to absorb the natural oils in their skin so regular baths are needed to keep them clean.
Grooming Tools
Be sure to buy only grooming tools that are intended for cats. Basic items include a wide-toothed comb or bristle brush for removing tangles, a slicker brush for removing loose hairs. Nail trimmers are necessary for cutting your cat’s claws, and a tick remover is useful if your cat is allowed outdoors. If you’ll be bathing your cat, make sure you only use cat shampoo, as many dog and human shampoo products contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.
Step-by-Step Grooming
Whether you groom your longhaired cat every day or groom your shorthaired cat once a week, it’s important to make grooming sessions stress-free and enjoyable for your feline friend. Before you begin, make sure your cat is in a relaxed mood. Never force kitty to be groomed. If he or she protests, let her go and try again later.
1. Combing. Begin by gently combing your cat from head to tail, following the natural growth of the hair. If you encounter a tangle or knot, don’t tug at it with the comb, but rather, gently loosen it with your fingers.
2. Remove debris. Use a slicker brush or a soft bristle brush to collect any loose hair and debris from your cat’s coat.
3. Trim Mats. Badly matted fur may need to be removed with a pair of clippers. Never try cutting a mat out with a pair of scissors, as you could very easily injure your cat.
4. Clip the nails. Using a nail clipper for cats, clip off the pointy tip of your cat's nails, being careful not to cut the quick.
5. Groom the face. Clean the eyes by gently wiping around them with a moistened cotton ball. Clean ears with a cotton ball moistened with ear cleaning solution for cats, and wipe carefully inside each ear. Be careful not to push any debris into your cat's ears.
Step-by-Step Bathing
Cats may need to be bathed from time to time to keep their coats in peak condition. That said, few cats actually enjoy being bathed, so it’s important to get your cat accustomed to bathing at an early age, speak in a soothing voice, and make sure the room is warm.
1. Line your sink or bathtub with a rubber mat to prevent slipping. Slowly put your cat in, and then use warm water and a large cup or (if kitty will tolerate it) a sprayer. Soak his fur thoroughly, but be careful not to get a lot of water in his ears.
2. Use only cat-safe shampoo. Lather it in thoroughly and then rinse it completely off. Remember to keep praising your cat in a gentle voice the entire time.
3. Dry your cat with a towel. Only use an electric dryer on the lowest setting if it won’t stress kitty out. Brush him and let him finish drying in a warm room. Remember to praise and give treats!
Use regular grooming sessions to
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