GROOMING YOUR
CAT
Grooming
plays an important part in caring for your cat.
It varies from breed to breed, of course. Some require daily brushing and combing
(usually the long haired breeds), whilst others need grooming less often. Cats spend a large part of their time grooming
themselves naturally. As they grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to
reach certain areas as they become less flexible, so it is nice to help them by
assisting with the grooming process.
It
is best to get your kitten accustomed to being groomed from a very early
age. Gradually build up the amount of
time you spend grooming your kitten until it is quite happy to allow you to
brush it. Eventually the kitten will
enjoy being groomed and will come to see it as part of its daily routine. If you approach grooming as a chore then so
will your cat. It may even put up a bit
of resistance, resulting in grooming becoming a task you put off. If your kitten becomes accustomed to being
handled, then it is less likely to feel nervous when making future visits to
the veterinary clinic for an examination.
Your kitten will feel comfortable being touched by people. It also makes any visits to the surgery less
stressful for both you and your cat.
When
you are grooming your cat, it is also an ideal time to check it over for any
lumps and bumps. You can also check the
skin, by parting the hair, to see if your cat has any skin problems such as
fleas or any sore or inflamed areas that may require treatment. Also remember to check the cat’s eyes, ears,
mouth, nose, feet and nails from time to time.
If your cat stays indoors, the cat’s claws will need to be clipped
regularly. If your cat goes out, this
will not be necessary as it will probably keep them in trim itself, and outdoor
cats need longer claws for protection.
Indoor
cats should be provided with a scratching post to keep their claws short. If their claws are too long they can catch on
the furniture and if a claw becomes torn, it would be painful for the cat.
Long
haired cats look very pretty but do require a lot of help with grooming. If you have a long haired cat, use a wide
toothed comb to remove any dead hair. If
you find a knot in the hair, gently tease it apart using your fingers. Try not to use scissors and if the hair is
very matted, you may have to take the cat to a veterinary surgeon to be shaved,
most likely under sedation.
Short
haired cats need very little grooming but it is best to brush them regularly so
that they become used to being brushed.
A rubber brush would gently remove any dead hairs. Some of these short haired cats have delicate
coats and skin, so be careful when using combs and brushes that you are not
damaging the cat in any way.
Before
you actually start using a brush or comb on your cat, use your fingers to
loosen the dead hairs, by going through the coat in the opposite way to the
hair growth, just like a massage. This
helps to stimulate the natural oils in the skin that give a nice healthy shine
to the coat.
©
Janice Ascott
