Cats are generally very clean and excellent at cleaning themselves. However, cats need extra grooming help from their owners depending on their breed and coat type. Grooming is a good opportunity to check your cat’s overall health condition. Feel the body and keep an eye out from head to tail if there’s any sign of fleas, lumps, bumps, and skin irritations while you are grooming them. In this manner, regular brushing your kitty’s fur keeps their coats clean, removes excess fur, and sheds undercoats that can lead to uncomfortable mats and tangles.

Similar to dogs, it is ideal to start grooming your cat when they are a kitten so that they can get used to being groomed from a young age. But how about the adult cats or the cats that you have rescued from the street or adopted from the shelter? You have to ease them gradually and cautiously.

We can’t just grab them one day and expect them to enjoy being groomed. It is strongly recommended that you first desensitize your cat to having his feet handled because you’ll need to touch his paws during clipping. You need to introduce them slowly to the grooming tools (brush, comb, and nail clipper), familiarize them with the sound coming from the fur clipper, and water flow.  Pairing the sight and presence of the grooming tools with treats will make sure the cat doesn’t fear the object itself. Start grooming them for five or fifteen minutes then increase the amount of time you spend as they get more comfortable.

It is visible enough to see the blood vessels and nerves that supply the claw as a pink stripe at the base of the nail, which is called a quick as the majority of cats have light-colored claws. When clipping the nails remember to clip only the tips. You need to be careful and cut not too close to the quick as it will bleed and your cat will experience pain if quick has been cut. You can use natural remedies like baking soda or cornstarch that can work in an emergency, but the styptic powder is more efficient. Having someone to assist and hold the cat while the other clips the nails can make it easier to accomplish this task. The nail clipper should be easy for you to handle and maneuver with sharp blades for precise cutting and prevent crushing the nails. It is better not to wait for the cat to become upset to stop the session. You can clip a few nails and try again later or another day. Keep them on a positive note to keep them engaged again in the next session.

It is highly recommended to use a good quality ear cleaner with s cotton pads or gauze. Sit and place your cat in your lap in a comfortable position. Using a towel may wrap or swaddle your cat to help keep her calm if she is resistant to having her ears cleaned. Firmly hold the tip of the ear flap with one hand and the other hand to manage to have a few drops of cleaning solution to the ears. Massage gently the base of the ear below the ear opening for about 20-30 seconds with the other hand. Let your cat shake the head to allow the remaining ear cleaning solution, ear wax, and debris from the ear canal to move out to the outer ears. Wipe gently with the cotton and make sure that you dry it well to prevent any bacterial growth.

It is important to check your cat’s ears at least once a week and clean them when needed so that you can be on the lookout for any problems or a possible infection. For cats who are prone to ear infections and wax build-up, ear cleaning is a very important part of your cat’s hygiene. Be minded that over-cleaning may cause irritation in the ear canal and this can lead to infection. If you notice red, inflamed and discharge or an odor when examining the ears, consult your veterinarian to help you decide how often your cat’s ears should be cleaned.

Make an effort to brush them when they are relaxed and calm. Some breeds with long hair coats require grooming on a daily basis. Be aware of the pressure you are applying when brushing and if you find a knot. Do not pull hard to try and get it out, just use your fingertips to make it loosen then use a wide-toothed comb and brush very gently especially around their belly and chest. Avoid using scissors to remove them as it is very easy to cut the skin and cause pain.

Always gently stroke and brush in the direction of your cat’s fur, never against it as it will cause discomfort and pain. Keep in mind the body parts that easily get mats such as under their armpits, butt area, and behind ears. Avoid brushing down your cat’s tails with the wrong brush that could hurt them. To brush your cat’s tail, part the fur down on each side and brush either side separately.

From time to time your cat might need a bath. If your cat maybe fell in an unclean pond and got really muddy or dirty, or perhaps got their paws stuck in some sticky condiments, then you need to help them get clean.

In preparation for your cat to bathe, set the water temperature to lukewarm and have it running through the showerhead at a medium-level spray. You can also use a tub or tray with enough water approximately less than half of your cat’s height. Hold your cat in place by her scruff, or use a harness if you think your cat is going to be tricky to control. While talking to your cat and offering lots of reassurance and praise, start by running the water from the tail towards the upper body. Use only specifically cat-formulated shampoo and gently rub the shampoo into their coat making sure not to get it in their ears and eyes. If your cat starts to show anxiety, try to make it quick as possible and you can skip washing the head as you can also use a clean cloth or pet wet wipes to clean the mouth area and tear stains. Pets are normally petrified, blowing their face to dry using a blower. That’s why you should towel-dry your cat as much as possible. Use a low heat and speed blower when drying.

You can always seek professional service from your local vets and groomers for you to handle your cat if necessary. Keeping the positive interaction as stress-free as possible is key to a happy well-groomed cat.

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