As you may know, most cats naturally groom themselves throughout the day. My Maine Coon is frequently grooming her coat with her tongue and cleaning her face with her paws. It is in their nature to keep their coat and skin clean and free from dirt. However, as tidy as cats are, they often need help in looking and feeling their best. That is where we come in as owners.
It is always important to remember that the grooming process should be fun for both you and your pet. There should be no force or pressure placed on your cat. You want to have patience and schedule grooming sessions when your cat is already calm (such as after dinner when they are sleepy).
It takes some getting used to for your cat to know what to expect during a grooming session. They may have never been exposed to one before, especially if they are still young. If it is one of the first times you are attempting to groom your cat, we advise that you keep it short (between five and ten minutes). Your cat may become impatient at first, so it is wise to slowly build up to longer grooming sessions.
Never push your cat to accept grooming, and take a break and return to it later if they appear distressed. Also, on the other hand, reward good behavior with praise and treats to help them learn what the process looks like from both ends. With that said, there are three main types of grooming:
1. Brushing
Cats require brushing to keep their coats looking tidy, especially if they are long-haired. The benefits of regular brushing are the removal of dirt and tangles, as well as the spreading of healthy oils to all parts of their coat. This keeps their skin and fur healthy while getting rid of irritation.
A good rule of thumb for short-haired cats is to brush them once a week.
Use a metal comb to loosen dead fur.
Start at their head and work down towards the tail.
With a bristle or rubber brush, do the same to remove the dead hair.
Be extra gentle around the face, belly, and chest.
Long-haired cats should be brushed more often, and we recommend once daily.
Start at the legs and belly, slowly working your way up.
Brush the fur in an upward motion to lift and clean it.
For their tail, you will want to part the fur down the center and brush each side individually.
If you notice tough knots, try sprinkling talcum powder on them and gently use your fingers to tease them apart. If this does not work, try using a mat-splitter.
With any brushing session, it is important to check your cat’s body for any wounds, bumps, and hidden tangles. It is also important to check for any signs of ticks or parasites. To check for ticks and fleas, look for any actual ticks and flea dirt (black specks of dried blood left behind). To check for tapeworm, check around the anus for tan, rice-sized objects.
2. Bathing
You may know your kitty is due for a bath if their coat appears oily or they have gotten into something smelly. When choosing a time for bathing, schedule it for when your cat is the most mellow. This will allow your cat to be calm and make the process easier for you as well.
You will first want to brush through their coat to remove any loose hairs to prevent clogging the drain.
If you would like, you can gently place some cotton in their ears to keep water out.
Place a rubber mat in the sink or bathtub you will be washing your kitty in.
Fill with 3-4 inches of lukewarm water (This is important – you never want to have the water so hot it could burn your kitty).
Using a pitcher or gentle spray hose, thoroughly wet your cat’s body (avoiding the ears, eyes, and nose).
Carefully apply and rub on a small amount of cat shampoo, working it from the neck to tail.
Next, thoroughly rinse off the shampoo with the pitcher or hose. Be sure to rinse off all residue, as it can irritate the skin if some is left.
You may use a washcloth to carefully wipe your cat’s face.
Remove your cat from the sink or bathtub, and dry them off with a warm towel. Keep them in a warm place to dry the rest of the day. If your cat does not mind a blow dryer, you may dry them off using the lowest heat setting.
Remember to praise your cat for a successful bathing session!
3. Nail Clipping
If you have never attempted to trim your cat’s nails before, play with your cat’s feet occasionally to have them get used to the feeling of them being touched. This will help them feel safe and more likely to accept nail trims when you are ready to try.
When nail trimming, first you will want to gently squeeze the top and bottom of their foot until their claws emerge.
Use a dedicated cat nail trimmer to cut only the white tip of each nail.
Never cut the inner pink area of the nail (called the quick) because it contains nerves and blood vessels.
If you cut the quick by mistake, it is good to have styptic powder on hand to stop the bleeding quickly.
Reward your cat with a treat for good behavior, and remember to check their nails weekly to see if they need a trim. If the tips of their nails appear sharp and needle-like, it may be time for a trim.
Regular grooming benefits your cat's health and even yourself. When you brush them on a regular basis, you will notice less shedding and stray hairs around the house. Just as we take care of our hygiene and grooming, we must help our fur friends do the same. We want them to look and feel their best.
References
ASPCA. (n.d.). Cat grooming tips. ASPCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips.
PetMD Editorial. (2008, November 24). How to trim cat nails. PetMD. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/cat/grooming/evr_ct_claw_trimming.
WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2021, June 28). Cat grooming: Brushing, bathing, nail clipping, and more. Fetch. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-grooming.
Cover image by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-brushing-her-pet-cat-6865160/.