With all the time cats spend licking themselves, you may think they are the cleanest pets anyone can have. However, some felines may not be able to groom themselves properly, which means they need help from their owners.
As a cat owner, keeping your cat clean and well-groomed should be at the top of your priorities. When you groom your feline friend regularly, you remove their loose fur, preventing hairballs from developing and potential digestive issues. It also spreads natural oils throughout their coat, keeping it healthy and shiny.
When you opt for professional kitten grooming services, you can learn about any abnormalities your cat may have, such as lumps, bumps, or skin irritations that you were unable to spot. This allows you to catch potential health problems early and give them the treatment they need.
Additionally, neglecting grooming can lead to matting, which is uncomfortable for your cat and puts them at risk of attracting pests like fleas and ticks.
If you want your feline friend to be healthy, happy and gorgeous, you should include grooming in your cat care routine.
Cat Grooming Tips
Below are some cat grooming tips you can follow to have a healthy and adorable feline friend:
1. Brush your pet at least once a week.
Brushing is one of the most important yet simplest things you can do to groom your cat daily. It removes dirt, debris, and excess hair and oil from their coat, leaving it shiny and fluffy.
Brushing also removes dead skin flakes from your cat and stimulates blood circulation. It also allows you to spot anything unusual, such as bumps, lesions, fleas, and ticks, and give them the care and treatment they need or bring them to their vet when necessary.
It is advisable to brush your pet once or twice a week. However, if you have a long-haired cat and shed a lot, you would do well to do this daily.
2. Bathe your pet as needed.
Cats need a bath once every four to six weeks, even if they are good at grooming themselves. But if your pet gets dirty from playing in the mud or dusty pavement, you need to bathe them as soon as possible.
To ensure you and your feline friend enjoy stress-free and safe bathing times, follow these tips:
- Brush your cat before bathing them.
- Make sure the water is lukewarm, not hot.
- Use a hand-held spray hose or cup to control the water’s pressure and direction and avoid scaring your pet.
- Use a cat shampoo.
- Dry your pet with a dry, soft, clean towel.
Remember to give your kitty some treats after their bath to help them remember that bathing can be a happy and rewarding experience for them.
However, avoid bathing your cat too often since it can dry out their skin. If they get soiled frequently, you may have to keep them on a tighter leash when allowing them to play outside.
3. Keep your cat’s nails well-trimmed.
Your kitty uses their claws for various activities, including scratching, climbing, and playing. Overgrown nails can be uncomfortable for your feline friend since they can become ingrown or curl into their paw pads.
When your pet has long nails, they are also more likely to accidentally scratch you, your family members, or other pets.
Regularly trimming your cat’s nails helps prevent these issues and promotes healthy paw maintenance. It also reduces the risk of your pet getting their nails caught in furniture or carpets.
While trimming your feline companion’s nails, check and clean their paws. Be on the lookout for splinters, cuts and other injuries they may get from their walks and other activities.
Cat paws tend to become dry due to extreme weather conditions or frequent walking on rough surfaces. If you notice this, clean the paws with soap and water and apply a pet-friendly moisturiser to prevent this condition from worsening.
If you’re uncomfortable trimming your cat’s nails, let professional groomers do this for you. They have sufficient training and experience to keep your pet relaxed so they can safely perform this grooming task.
4. Look after your cat’s teeth.
Like humans, cats need strong and healthy teeth and gums to eat and play with their chew toys.
Because of this, brush your cat’s teeth daily with feline-friendly toothpaste. Give them dental treats and chew toys as well to clean and strengthen their teeth and gums.
While brushing your pet, check their gums and teeth and bring them to the vet if you see anything unusual, such as red or pale gums and broken or loose fangs.
Also, give your cat a healthy, balanced diet. Their food should contain the nutrients they need in the recommended amounts.
You can look for cat food online to find out which ones help strengthen and protect your pet’s teeth and gums.
5. Clean your pet’s ears regularly.
Cats depend on their sense of hearing for various activities. As such, cleaning their ears should be part of their weekly grooming routine.
Use a gentle, pet-safe ear-cleaning solution to remove wax and debris from your cat’s ears. Avoid using cotton swabs since they can push dirt deeper into the ear canal and damage it.
While cleaning their ears, look for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, foul odour, or unusual discharge.
These symptoms usually indicate various health problems, including allergies, infections and even more serious diseases like glaucoma.
6. Take care of your cat’s eyes.
Your cat’s eyes are not only their window to the world but also an indicator of their overall health. Because of this, you need to check their eyes regularly for any signs of infection, injury, and other issues.
Look for redness, swelling, excessive tearing, squinting, or cloudiness in your cat’s eyes. These symptoms usually indicate various health problems, including infections, allergies, or even more serious conditions like glaucoma.
You can maintain your cat’s eyesight by gently wiping away any discharge or crust from the corners of their eyes with a damp, clean cotton ball or soft cloth. However, avoid using harsh chemicals or solutions unless prescribed by your veterinarian.
Make sure you also keep up with your pet’s vet checkups since their specialist can identify any issues early and provide the appropriate treatment.
By following a grooming routine, you can keep your feline pet healthy, happy and adorable, always ready for your warm cuddles.