Cats are known for grooming themselves, but they might not be able to handle everything on their own. Like all pets and humans, cats need to keep up on grooming and hygiene. Whether it’s brushing, trimming, nail clipping, or teeth brushing, your cat might need their loving human to help them out. So, here’s what you need to know about cat grooming.
Do Cats Need to Visit the Groomer?
No, most cats don’t need to visit the groomer, but they certainly can! Cats spend a lot of time licking themselves clean, which removes loose hair and debris. Yet, as it turns out, a cat’s tongue can only do so much for their cleanliness. If you don’t feel comfortable handling their grooming needs on your own, you can turn to a professional groomer.
Groomers can brush, trim, and even bathe your feline if you need them to. Most services include other grooming needs like nail trimming and ear cleaning too. Cats tend to put up a fuss for grooming, so it can be easier to have a trained professional do it. Plus, your kitty will come home smelling cleaner than ever!
Cat Grooming Tips
Of course, if you feel comfortable grooming your cat from home, that works too. For those new to cat grooming, here are some grooming tips to make your life a little easier.
#1 – Start Cat Grooming Early
The sooner you focus on grooming your cat, the more comfortable they’ll be with it. It’s a good idea to start while they’re still a kitten, but if you adopted your cat as an adult, you’ll need to compromise. So, start working on grooming as soon as you bring your new feline home. Start slow and keep grooming sessions short at first to ease your cat into it.
#2 – Only Bathe When Your Cat is Calm
Wait until your cat is calm before trying to bathe them. Then, gently set them in a tub with shallow water. Use a natural cat shampoo to lather into their coat and rinse out. If you have never bathed your cat before, it’s likely that they’ll put up a little bit of a fight. So, it can be helpful to have someone around to help you hold your cat still.
#3 – Brush Your Cat Regularly
Cats do a lot of brushing on their own, but it’s a good idea to help them out. Short-haired cats should be brushed about once a week while long-haired cats should be brushed two or three times a week. A comb, bristle brush, or soft rubber brush can help remove loose hair and prevent mats. Of course, if you have a hairless cat, no brushing is necessary!
#4 – Check Your Cat’s Ears
Since most cats have ears that stick upright, ear infections aren’t too common. Yet, you can never be too careful. When bathing or brushing your cat, it can’t hurt to check their ear canals for debris or unusual odors. If anything is blocking the ear canal, you can remove it with a cotton ball.
#5 – Don’t Forget Teeth Cleaning
Like you, your cat needs regular dental cleaning to avoid tartar buildup. For many cats, this is their least favorite part of grooming. Brush their teeth by using a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for cats. Again, start slow and get your kitty used to the toothbrush. If your cat’s teeth are an abnormal color or smell, your vet might suggest a professional teeth cleaning.
#6 – Consider Seeing a Groomer for Nails
Cat nails are sharp, so many people are scared to deal with them. Yet, overgrown claws can get caught on things and cause injuries. So, it’s a good idea to trim your cat’s nails about every two weeks. To trim their nails, push down on their paw so the nail is exposed. Then, trim it down without touching the quick, which is the pink nerve part of the nail. This process is often easiest if you have someone to help you, but it’s okay to go to a groomer if you don’t feel comfortable with it.
#7 – Give Your Cat Lots of Treats
One of the most important parts of any experience is making sure your cat is comfortable. Every step of the way, you can reward them with a treat to let them know they’re doing a good job. If they can associate grooming with positive things, they’ll be less likely to resist.
Grooming a cat is an essential part of feline care. It can be easier and more affordable to do it yourself, but only if you and your cat are comfortable with it. If you don’t feel confident doing things like trimming nails or giving baths, that’s when you should turn to a professional. Your cat’s comfort and safety is always a priority.