A Guide To Cat Grooming Details

Informing yourself on cat grooming details is important. There are many steps to cat grooming. Brushing and combing your cat's fur, trimming its nails, bathing it, cleaning its eyes and ears and brushing its teeth are all parts of the cat grooming routine.

• Grooming Detail 1: Brushing And Combing

Brushing and combing a cat's fur is very important. A short haired cat needs to be brushed about once a week. A long haired cat should be brushed everyday. Regular brushing helps to prevent hairballs from forming in a cat's intestines. You can help also get rid of dead skin and stimulate hair follicles, thereby helping to give your cat's fur a lovely, healthy sheen.

To comb a long haired cat, you will need a wide toothed comb. To comb a short haired cat, a fine toothed comb is required. For both types of cats, a brush with soft bristles will be adequate. Comb or brush the hair in the direction it grows in. If you find any knots, try and untangle them with your hands. If that is not possible, then you could use a pair of scissors to cut off the knot or matted hair. But you must do this very carefully as you could hurt the cat. Flea combs can be used to get rid of fleas and flea dirt.

• Grooming Detail 2: Cleaning The Eyes

Discharge around the eyes can be removed with your fingers or damp cotton wool. Cats with small faces get tear stains around their eyes. You will need a special cleanser, available at the vet's or a pet store, to clean the stains.

• Grooming Detail 3: Cleaning The Ears

Cat's ears can be cleaned with a solution available at any vet's store. You could even use damp cotton wool to clean the outer area of the ear. Never clean past what you can't see. A cat's ears are very sensitive and you could end up permanently injuring your cat. Also never use cotton buds or any pointed object to clean your cat's ears.

• Grooming Detail 4: Trimming Nails

Trimming the nails of a cat is a delicate process. You must be careful not to trim the nails where the veins are. Doing so would result in a serious injury to the cat. If you are not sure about how to trim your cat's nails, ask the vet to show you. You could also get the vet or a professional groomer to trim your cat's nails.

• Grooming Detail 5: Bathing

In case you want to give your cat a bath, you must be very careful, patient and relaxed. Use only a cat shampoo. The temperature of the water should be right. Avoid the cat's face while bathing it. You can dry the cat by using towels or even a hair dryer, if the noise does not scare it off.

It is a good idea to start grooming a cat as soon as possible. If you start grooming a kitten, by the time it grows up, it will be quite used to, and even like the grooming sessions. If you follow the grooming details above, you will have a beautiful and healthy cat.