Why groom your cat

Grooming helps rid the coat of shed hair and dead skin while spreading natural oils. Long and medium-haired cats require more regular grooming and sometimes clipping to keep their coats in good condition.

By grooming your cat, you can also control cat hair in the house. As a bonus, brushing is also a positive way to interact and bond with your cat. There are many different grooming tools on the market, from fine-toothed combs to rubber grooming mitts. No matter what you choose, it is important to let your cat familiarize herself with each tool before using it. Begin brushing her slowly and gently, starting with the areas she likes to be petted, such as along the back or under the chin.

As she becomes more comfortable, you can work your way to other areas, like the abdomen, tail, and legs. If your cat objects to any of these areas, stop and go back to an area she prefers. Remember that initially, grooming sessions should be short and sweet. Can you bathe a cat? And if so, should you? While not typically necessary, bathing may be recommended to treat a skin condition, remove unwanted substances from the fur, or improve hygiene for cats who cannot physically groom themselves.

Bathing can be performed at home, in the veterinary hospital, or at a professional grooming facility. Your cat may be suffering from one of the following health issues:. There may be a medical, dietary or stress-related issue that needs immediate attention. If your cat sheds a lot and your veterinarian has determined that there is no underlying medical cause, there are a few things you can do to minimize his hair loss:.

Additionally, cats who are not groomed appropriately can become matted—this is especially true for long-haired cats. Matted hair can be painful and lead to underlying skin problems. A healthy feline ear flap, or pinna, has a layer of hair on its outer surface with no bald spots, and its inner surface is clean and light pink. Bring kitty into a quiet room where there are no other pets. Gently fold back each ear and look down into the canal. Healthy inner ears will be pale pink in color, carry no debris or odor and will have minimal if no earwax.

Cats need healthy feet to scratch, climb and achieve their famed acrobatic landings. Does your kitty disappear when the clippers come out? Do you have to wrap her in a towel to give her a manicure?

Follow these steps to help your cat relax while you trim. Your cat needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy gums. Damage to the tongue, teeth, palate and gums can lead to many health risks for felines, but these can be prevented with regular home check-ups and good old-fashioned brushings.

A good home eye exam just before grooming can clue you into any tearing, crust, cloudiness or inflammation that may indicate a health problem. Look out for the following:. Certain body language will also alert you to possible eye distress. If your cat is constantly squinting or pawing at her eye area, give her eyes a good inspection.

If you find any of the above symptoms, you should immediately call your vet. Many feline eye disorders can be treated with vet-prescribed drops or ointments—your vet will show you how to apply eye and ear drops at home. The best way to prevent eye conditions is to make sure your cat gets all her vaccinations and has thorough check-ups.

Please examine her eyes regularly and consult a vet if you find any abnormalities. Eye conditions that are left untreated can lead to impaired sight or even blindness. You are here Pet Care Cat Care. Cat Grooming Tips. Skin and Fur Care. Expand to read more Schedule baths when your cat is at her most mellow. A play session with a cat dancer or other toy of choice can help tire out even the friskiest of felines.

Give your cat a good brushing to remove any loose hair and mats. Gently place some cotton in her ears to keep the water out. Fill with three to four inches of lukewarm not hot, please! Use a hand-held spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet , taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes and nose. Gently massage your pet with a solution of one part cat shampoo human shampoo can dry out her skin to five parts water , working from head to tail, in the direction of hair growth.

Take care to avoid the face, ears and eyes. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off your cat with a spray hose or pitcher; again, be sure the water is lukewarm. Take good care that all residue has been removed, as it can irritate the skin and act as a magnet for dirt. Leave at least an inch of hair, which can prevent hair growth problems and skin issues. Touch up with or use scissors if you prefer.

Bathe your cat. Fill the sink or bath with inches of lukewarm water and use a hand-held spray hose, pitcher, or cup to wet your kitty. Massage her with one part cat shampoo to five parts water in the direction of her fur growth and avoiding her face, ears, and eyes.

Rinse off your cat thoroughly with lukewarm water before wiping her face with a moist washcloth. Wrap her in a large and let her dry in a warm place. Make sure to offer her lots of praise and treats for a successful bathing session. Visit a professional cat groomer. Be aware that this can be expensive, but can save you time and be less traumatic for your cat.

Your local vet, humane society, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals can suggest local groomers for your cat. You can also ask friends and family members for recommendations. This will let you get a sense of the facility and see if the groomer is kind to your cat.

Part 2. Check for skin problems. Whenever you brush, clip, or bathe your cat, check her skin for bumps, bald spots, or cuts. This can indicate health problems such as allergies or stress. Some skin problems your cat may have are: Parasitic infections from fleas, ear mites, or harvest mites Fungal infections such as ringworm or yeast infections Infections from excess bacteria on the skin Viral infections such as feline cowpox Feline acne or seborrhea Immune disorders such as allergies and feline eosinophilic granuloma complex Sun damage like skin cancer Contact dermatitis Drug reactions Fur loss due to stress Trauma from accidents or collars.

Kill fleas. Fleas can make your kitty itch, lead to skin problems, or even other health issues such as having tapeworms. Recognize that fleas are the most common external parasite in pets. Remove visible ticks. Another common parasite that cats who go outside can get are ticks. These arachnids can spread serious diseases to your cat, so check her whenever your groom her or she comes indoors.