8 Cat Grooming Tips for Your Cat

As a cat parent, you’ll need to groom your feline friend regularly to keep him or her looking their best. It can be hard to learn how to do this, however, especially if you’ve never groomed an animal before. Here are eight grooming tips that will help you get through the initial learning curve of cat grooming. Following these basic tips will help make sure your kitty stays happy and healthy in the process.

One of the Most Important Cat Grooming Tips:
Introducing Your Cat to Water

Experts believe that introducing your cat to water at an early age will make grooming him or her a less stressful experience. Starting when they’re kittens, introduce your cats to water by allowing them to get used to having water around, such as in a sink full of warm running water. You can also place a shallow dish of lukewarm water next to your cat’s food dish. If your cat becomes accustomed to having it there, you can try moving it closer until it’s right under his or her chin. Then try to add some cat food to the shallow dish of water to entice them to touch the water.

Bathing Basics

Although some cat owners do not clean their cats with water, many others opt to give their pets a bath every once in a while. Cats can actually enjoy being bathed. When you decide to give your kitty its first bath, make sure that your cat is completely relaxed and unafraid of baths beforehand. First, fill up a sink or basin with lukewarm water and put some gentle pet shampoo in it so that your cat’s fur will be clean without causing too much stress on its body. Rinse them off and let them dry on their own after getting wet.

Trimming Claws

While a cat’s claws may serve as a defense mechanism, they can also pose a danger to you and your loved ones. Not only does trimming your cat’s claws make their paws healthier and safer (less chance of infection or injury), it also prevents them from destroying furniture and carpeting with too much scratching. Trimming your cat’s claws is a quick process that requires only one or two tools. Invest in a good pair of nail clippers and trim your pet’s claws regularly.

Keeping Kitty’s Teeth Clean

It’s easy to assume that cats keep themselves clean. However, they actually need regular attention in order to be healthy. To ensure your kitty has a healthy mouth, brush its teeth regularly. Scrubbing once a week will reduce your cat’s risk of dental disease and improve its breath. If you notice your cat’s teeth are covered in yellow or brownish-red gunk, schedule a visit with your vet. This discoloration is usually caused by tartar buildup and bacterial infection, neither of which is good news for your cat. Your veterinarian will help you brush out these nasties before they get out of hand.

Dealing With Ear Hair

As with all animals, cats have ear hair. It’s nothing to worry about, but it does need to be brushed on a regular basis to prevent matting and infection. All you need is a cotton ball and a pair of scissors to get started. Just snip away at all that extra hair. Next, wipe out your cat’s ears to make sure there isn’t any in there!

Brushing Short Hair Cats

Short hair cats require a lot less grooming than their long-haired counterparts. It’s a good idea to brush them once a week to keep shedding down. Longer hairs can get stuck in cat-hair tumbleweeds, but shorter ones have an easier time getting out into the world. If you have a short-haired cat, you can expect shedding all year round.

Getting Kitty Used to The Brush

Because cats can be a little more temperamental than dogs, it’s important to make grooming a positive experience from day one. If your new pet has been used to having its fur brushed, there’s a good chance it will associate getting groomed with affection and reward. When you first introduce him or her to grooming, try doing so on your lap or on a comfortable surface where your cat feels safe and loved.

Brushing Long Hair Cats

Long-haired cats require lots of maintenance, especially in warmer months when there’s more shedding. Some groomers recommend you comb your cat daily to get rid of loose hair and stimulate blood flow. Groomers also advise you to brush your pet’s long fur with a rubber grooming mitt or soft-bristled brush bi-weekly. This will minimize tangles and reduce shedding. If you choose to groom your pet yourself, use a comb with fine teeth.

Get Started with These Cat Grooming Tips

Grooming is important to your cat’s health.

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