How to Properly Groom Your Cat – Fuss-Free Grooming for Fluffy

To keep your feline in tip-top condition you need to learn how to properly groom your cat. A coat that is healthy and shiny is a sign that your cat is in the best shape possible both inside and out. Although it’s true that cats are quite able to clean themselves and, indeed, do so on a regular basis they may find it difficult to deal with matted hair or fur balls.

When you properly groom your cat on a regular basis it also makes it easy to detect any lumps, bumps, parasites or other problems that could indicate ill-health in your cat.

To properly groom your cat you will first need to get him or her used to the idea! Many cats don’t like to be groomed at first, but in time come to enjoy the gentle stroking and caressing that goes with it. The best time to introduce your cat to grooming is when it’s still quite young. Start slowly in areas he tolerates and work your way towards the full service.

As you groom your cat make sure to check for any unusual lumps under the skin, any rashes, bald patches, sores or cuts. Is your cats coat dull or his skin dry and flaky? Are the eyes sore, inflamed, cloudy or tearing? Do the ears have an odor or are they tender or swollen. Are the teeth and breath in good order? To properly groom your cat you need to pay attention to more than just his coat.

In long-haired cats hairballs are common problem. To get rid of this tendency you need to properly groom your cat, getting rid of as much loose hair as possible. Brush your cat well and use a hairball remedy at the same time. Dry pet foods may also contain hairball remedies.

If your cat has short hair you will need to properly groom your cat once a week using a natural bristle brush and fine-tooth comb. Longhairs may need to be groomed 2 to 3 times a week or every day if it is an outdoor rambler. Use a wire brush and a wide-tooth comb as well as a fine-tooth flea comb on your longhair. Any signs of falling hair or itching skin should be checked by a veterinarian.

It is not necessary to bathe your cat as they do keep themselves clean quite admirably. However if your cat has been bathed from a very young age there is no reason he or she can’t have the occasional bath if they are very dirty or smelly or if your cat can’t clean itself properly.

To properly groom your cat use a mild cat shampoo or mild soap and rinse your cat well. Dry the fur well with a towel and never allow your cat to be in a draft while it is still wet. If you want to properly groom your cat use a double sink to speed things up. Never bathe a sick cat.

To properly groom your cat you will need to learn how to clip its claws at least once a week. Less frequent trimmings are possible but not if you want to preserve the living room furniture or your knees! As soon as your cat’s claws start to hurt you or the couch use a special cat claw clippers NOT regular scissors as they can damage your cat’s claws.

Claw clipping is typically a two-person job but you can attempt to hold your cat on the floor between your knees – pulling it to your side with one front paw in your hand. Press on the toes till the claw surfaces and then clip it carefully. You can properly groom your cat including claw clipping with a bit of patience and practice.

Wow, we’re almost done! The next step to properly groom your cat is to clean and examine its ears. Ears can accumulate a lot of dirt and bacteria. You should check and clean them once every other week. The ears can be cleaned using a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Be very careful and never injure the ears. To properly groom your cat make sure to stay at the entrance to the ear. If you see any excessive earwax, redness or black spots talk to your veterinarian.

Correct eye care is also important if you want to properly groom your cat. Examine the eyes which must be bright with no tearing or excess mucus. Use a damp cotton ball to remove any discharge from around the eyes. To properly groom your cat make sure the eyes are protected from steam, water soap and other chemicals.

If the eyes are red, inflamed or cloudy or show signs of a discharge or injury take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Learning how to properly groom your cat may save his life but most of all it will keep your cat healthy, happy and pampered – just the way Fluffy or Fred likes it!