Though cats are known to be finicky self-groomers, they can always use extra care to make their skin and hair as healthy as possible. If you’re a cat owner, you can try grooming your cat at home. However, don’t expect your cat to take to a new grooming routine right away. Instead, ease into it very slowly. Let your cat have plenty of time to explore the grooming tools repeatedly before trying to use them. Then, start with very brief sessions and reward your cat with treats. The following are some expert cat grooming tips that can help you with brushing, bathing, and nail care.
Brushing
Supplementing your cat’s own grooming with a once-a-week brushing can help keep its coat free of dirt and dead hair. In addition, brushing stimulates the skin and increases blood flow, which keeps the skin and coat healthy. If your cat has short hair, comb it with a fine-toothed metal comb and then follow up with a rubber brush to remove loose fur. If your cat has long hair, start with a wide-toothed comb to gingerly comb through tangles. Then use a brush with bristles to remove excess fur. Keep in mind that you should only brush in the direction the hair is growing.
Bathing
Cats don’t need regular baths unless they are unable to clean themselves or have gotten into something very dirty. Before attempting a bath, give your cat a good brushing and trim its claws (see below). Make sure to put a rubber mat in the tub and use only a few inches of warm (not hot) water. Use a sprayer or pitcher to wet your cat’s coat, but be sure to keep the water out of its face. Use a shampoo made for cats, wash from head to tail, and rinse thoroughly, still avoiding your cat’s face.
Nail Care
Get your cat accustomed to a manicure by massaging its paws. Do this daily until your cat is comfortable having its feet touched and will allow you to press each pad until the claw extends. Use small clippers or nail scissors to trim the white tip only.
Be aware that not all cats will accept being groomed no matter how patient and gentle you are. Contact a professional groomer to make an appointment in that case.
