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How to Groom a Cat
Three Parts:
– Maintaining Your Cat’s Coat
– Addressing Problems While Grooming
– Caring for Your Cat’s Hygiene
Cats are generally very clean pets and groom themselves.[1] But some cats may not be able to adequately groom themselves, such as when they have fleas or very long fur.[2] But by maintaining your cat’s coat and caring for her other hygiene needs such as clipping her claws, you can keep your cat groomed.
Part 1
Maintaining Your Cat’s Coat
Brush your cat’s fur. Cats have either short or long hair.[3] Even though a cat will groom her own fur, brushing it keeps her coat especially lush by removing dirt, grease, and dead hair.[4] In addition, brushing your cat can be a wonderful bonding experience for the two of you.
Use a cat-specific metal comb or rubber brush to brush your cat.[5] Brush your kitty once or twice a week, or more often if she is a longhair type, or if she is shedding a lot, to keep her coat glowing.[6]
Keep in mind that cats generally don’t like to be restrained. Approach her slowly and hold her gently while you brush your cat.[7] You can also brush her when she is sleeping or sitting in your lap but be careful not to wake her up, brush her gently but not too gently.. just normal!.[8]
Brush slowly so you don’t startle your cat. Give her praise or treats as you continue brushing her.Clip your kitty’s fur. Most cat’s will never need their fur clipped or trimmed. However, your kitty may need clipping or trimming in some cases, such as she has long fur that is matting, which can cause health problems.[9] Trim or clip your kitty’s fur only if it is absolutely necessary or consider allowing a professional groomer to clip her fur.
Use only clippers for animals and take frequent breaks so you don’t burn your kitty’s skin.[10]
Use gentle pressure when clipping your cat. Lightly guide the clippers along your cat’s body. Leave at least an inch of hair, which can prevent hair growth problems and skin issues.[11]
Be very careful around the cat’s ears, anus, genitals, underbelly and legs so that you don’t hurt your cat.
Touch up with or use scissors if you prefer.[12]
Consider hiring a professional cat groomer to trim your pet’s fur. Remember that cat’s don’t enjoy being restrained, which may lead to injuries if you decide to clip her.[13] Ask your vet if she offers these services or can recommend a professional cat groomer.Bathe your cat.
Although you cat’s tongue and teeth are built-in grooming tools that can tackle her fur care needs, you might occasionally need to bathe her if she gets into something sticky or stinky.[14] Following these tips can minimize stress to your kitty and ensure efficiency in getting out the offensive matter in her fur:
Give her the bath when she is most mellow and consider trimming her claws, brushing her and placing a bit of cotton in her ears before the bath to minimize your risk of getting scratched.
Put a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub so your cat doesn’t slip. Fill the sink or bath with 3-4 inches of lukewarm water and use a hand-held spray hose, pitcher, or cup to wet your kitty.
Massage her with one part cat shampoo to five parts water in the direction of her fur growth and avoiding her face, ears, and eyes. Rinse off your cat thoroughly with lukewarm water before wiping her face with a moist washcloth.
Wrap her in a large and let her dry in a warm place. You can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting if your cat doesn’t mind.
Make sure to offer her lots of praise and treats for a successful bathing session.[15]Visit a professional cat groomer. If you don’t have the time or patience to care for your cat’s fur or hygiene, consider hiring a professional groomer. Be aware that this can be expensive, but can save you time and be less traumatic for your cat.
Your local vet, humane society, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals can suggest local groomers for your cat. You can also ask friends and family members for recommendations.
Consider visiting groomers’ businesses before you send your cat. This will let you get a sense of the facility and see if the groomer is kind to your cat.Part 2
Addressing Problems While GroomingCheck for skin problems. Whenever you brush, clip, or bathe your cat, check her skin for bumps, bald spots, or cuts. This can indicate health problems such as allergies or stress.[16] See your vet if you find any strange or unexplained anomalies on your cat’s skin or fur. Some skin problems your cat may have are:
Parasitic infections from fleas, ear mites, or harvest mites
Fungal infections such as ringworm or yeast infections
Infections from excess bacteria on the skin
Viral infections such as feline cowpox
Feline acne or seborrhea
Immune disorders such as allergies and feline eosinophilic granuloma complex
Sun damage like skin cancer
Contact dermatitis
Drug reactions
Fur loss due to stress
Trauma from accidents or collars.[17]Kill fleas.
If you find fleas on your kitty during grooming or the course of caring for her daily, you’ll need to get rid of them as soon as possible. Fleas can make your kitty itch, lead to skin problems, or even other health issues such as having tapeworms.
Recognize that fleas are the most common external parasite in pets.[18] They feed on the blood of your cat and are visible through droppings of “flea dirt” or white flea eggs on your cat, persistent itching or scratching, or hair loss.[19]
Get a diagnosis from your vet of fleas and ask for the best treatment of them.[20] Your vet may suggest topical or oral treatments, shampoos, sprays, or powders.[21]
Follow the packaging instructions and make sure to not use medication on your cat or any other pets unless it is designated for that specific animal. Be aware that you’ll need to treat other animals in your home and thoroughly clean your house to help get rid of fleas and their eggs.[22]
Consider treating your lawn if your cat goes outside.[23]Remove visible ticks.
Another common parasite that cats who go outside can get are ticks. These arachnids can spread serious diseases to your cat, so check her whenever your groom her or she comes indoors. Remove the tick and take your cat to the vet to ensure that she doesn’t have any further ticks or tick-related conditions.[24]
Be aware that most ticks are visible to the naked eye. They are about the size of a pinhead but swell as they feed on your cat’s blood.[25]
Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves and grasp the tick with a pair of tweezers. Pull straight upwards in a steady motion and place the tick in a jar of rubbing alcohol for veterinary testing.[26]
Disinfect the area of your cat’s fur with soap and water, wash your hands and tweezers, too.[27]Get rid of ear mites. Tiny parasites called ear mites are also common in cats, though mostly in kittens and younger cats.[28] They are highly contagious and can lead to skin and hearing problems.[29]
Recognize ear mites by a black, coffee ground-like discharge in your cats ears.[30]
Take your cat to the vet to confirm a diagnosis of ear mites. The vet will give you treatment to get rid of the mites and soothe your cat’s itchy ears. She may also suggest ways to clean your cat’s ears if you suspect mites in the future.[31] Follow any instructions the vet gives you for medication.
Be aware that ear mites are highly contagious and other animals in your home will also require treatment.[32]
Clean mites from your kitty’s ears by wrapping her in a towel when she is calm and holding her earflap out with one hand. Use your other hand to squeeze out a cotton ball drenched in ear cleaner at the opening of her ear canal.[33] Use ear cleaner specially-formulated for cats that you can buy either at a pet store or get from your vet.
Release your cat, which may result in some shaking and dislodging of debris. After a few minutes reassure your cat and wipe any debris from her ears with a dry cotton ball. Repeat the process in the other ear.[34]Take care of problem scents and substances. Sometimes your cat might get herself into something, such as paint or a skunk, that leaves her especially dirty or in need of a bath. Taking care of these problems as soon as possible can help maintain your cat’s health and hygiene.
Flush the eyes and mouth of a cat sprayed by a skunk with water and give her a bath if necessary. If the spray was heavy, take her to her vet for blood work to ensure she doesn’t develop anemia.[35]
Bathe your cat as soon as possible if she gets oil or paint on herself. Cats are naturally inclined to lick themselves clean and you want to avoid this if you can.[36] If your cat has a lot of oil on her fur, you may want to have your vet sedate and clean her.[37]Part 3
Caring for Your Cat’s HygieneMonitor your cat’s ears. Your kitty should get routine checkups at a vet, which includes checking on the health of her ears. But in between vet visits, it’s important to check your kitty’s ears once a week for wax, debris, or infection.[38]
Check her outer ear flap, or pinna, to make sure it has no bald spots and that its inner surface is clean and light pink.[39]
Examine her inner ear by folding back each ear and looking down into the canal.[40] Make sure there is no debris, odor, and minimal ear wax. The color should be light pink.[41]
Use a cotton ball dampened in liquid cat ear cleansing solution.[42] Fold back your cat’s ear and gently wipe away any debris.[43] Avoid probing or poking anything into the ear canal, which can cause trauma or infection.[44]
Take your cat to the vet if you notice any discharge, caked wax, redness, swelling, bleeding, or unpleasant odor.[45]Trim your cat’s nails. Every few weeks, your cat may need her nails trimmed.[46] This helps prevent breaking, infection, and an irregular gait because her nails are too long.[47]
Use only a nail clipper designed for cats. Purchase this item a pet store or your vet’s office.[48]
Wrap your kitty in a towel to prevent her from scratching and/ or ask a friend to hold your cat while you clip her nails.[49]
Trim your cat’s nails slowly and methodically so you minimize the risk of hurting her.[50] Avoid clipping too close to the quick, which is the blood vessel inside of the nail.[51] Clip above this area and hold your cat’s paw firmly and cut the nail in a single stroke.
Use a clotting agent if you accidentally cut the quick.[52]
Give kitty a treat for a successful nail clipping session.[53]
Avoid forcing your cat to endure trimming. Ask a vet or groomer to clip the nails to prevent injury to your cat—or you.[54]
Remember that your cat needs to scratch to maintain the health of her paws. Offer her a scratching post and check her paws for wounds.[55]Maintain kitty’s oral health. Every cat needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy gums. Dental disease is a common problem seen by veterinarians.[56] Checking your kitty’s mouth and keeping it clean with brushing and regular vet visits can help keep disease at bay and your cat’s breath fresh.[57]
Push back your kitty’s gums gently when she is facing you during daily oral care. Make sure her gums are firm and pink and not swollen. Her teeth should be clean and free of brownish tartar and show no signs of being loose or broken.[58]
Brush your kitty’s teeth daily with a cotton swab or kitty toothbrush and a feline toothpaste. You can also use salt and water. Ask your vet for product recommendations.[59] Start by gently massaging your cat’s gums with your fingers or touching a cotton swab to them and then proceed to the cleaning.[60]
Take your cat to a vet if you notice abnormally strong odor, which can indicate digestive problems or gingivitis.[61] You should also look out for dark red lines along the gums, red and swollen gums, mouth ulcers, loose teeth, difficulty chewing food, excessive drooling, or pawing at her mouth.[62]
Remember to praise and soothe your kitty for good behavior while brushing.In July of 2018, this honey pot forum was sold out to an unidentified NPC sock puppet and troll organization. Most independent thinkers and writers migrated to other MGTOW forums as a result of the never-ending infighting and deliberate trouble starting caused by members who were given "carte blanche" by the admin to do whatever they want. Before my departure, I only left a few thousand cat pics here to comfort and ridicule the feminist owners who now run this place. Their background agenda is to make MGTOW look like a club of losers the public eye. And during the course of 2019, they actually managed to destroy almost all other MGTOW venues as well. Here is the truth about "theindependentman.org" aka "TIM" which was created as an extended workbench to further divide the community. When you register, they install a spyware Zombie cookie on your browser that does all kinds of things the user does not know of: http://www.filedropper.com/essay-on-the-removal-of-malware-cookies-used-by-tim
In July of 2018, this honey pot forum was sold out to an unidentified NPC sock puppet and troll organization. Most independent thinkers and writers migrated to other MGTOW forums as a result of the never-ending infighting and deliberate trouble starting caused by members who were given "carte blanche" by the admin to do whatever they want. Before my departure, I only left a few thousand cat pics here to comfort and ridicule the feminist owners who now run this place. Their background agenda is to make MGTOW look like a club of losers the public eye. And during the course of 2019, they actually managed to destroy almost all other MGTOW venues as well. Here is the truth about "theindependentman.org" aka "TIM" which was created as an extended workbench to further divide the community. When you register, they install a spyware Zombie cookie on your browser that does all kinds of things the user does not know of: http://www.filedropper.com/essay-on-the-removal-of-malware-cookies-used-by-tim
Grooming – Tips for caring for your cat’s coat
Pet library (LOL)
Cats are notorious for effective self-grooming. However there are times when you may need to intervene. Learn about the benefits of grooming your cat, how to get started, when to groom, the equipment you can use, bathing your cat and when to stop.
Benefits of grooming your catGrooming your cat has a number of benefits:-
Prevents formation of hairb~~~~ which can cause intestinal blockages
Stimulates oil production for a healthy, shiny coat
Provides the opportunity to check for fleas, ear mites, lumps or bumps
Reinforces the bond between you and your catStart Early
If you acquire a kitten, it is a good idea to get your cat accustomed to being groomed from a very early age. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend grooming your cat until it becomes a part of your cat’s daily routine.
Avoid forcible grooming or restraint as this can cause stress and grooming will become a negative experience for your cat.
Shorthaired CatsEquipment: Fine-toothed flea/tick comb; bristle brush, rubber mitten or grooming pad, damp cotton or rubber glove.
How often: Once a week.Ensure your cat is relaxed and happy. Use the flea comb to check for flea excreta (flea dirt). If you find any, speak to us about flea control options.
Use your fingers to loosen dead hair by massaging in the direction of the cat’s head. Then start use the brush or grooming pad to gently brush from the head down to the tail, removing the dead hair and stimulating the blood supply to the skin. Remove loose hairs with the damp cotton or rubber glove. Finish on a positive note with treats and praise.
Longhaired CatsEquipment: Wide-toothed comb, rubber mitten or grooming pad. There are also a number of different grooming products available, for example rakes, slickers and detangle sprays. Try a range of different products to find what works best for you and your cat.
How often: Once a day.As for shorthaired cats, ensure your cat is relaxed and happy. Before grooming, massage the skin thoroughly by gently rubbing your fingers against the hair growth from tail to head, checking for flea excreta. (If you are concerned about fleas, contact us for advice on flea control options or for further information read Fleas – solving a flea problem). Use the wide-tooth comb to remove dead hair, taking extra care of the thin, sensitive skin under the cat’s armpits and between the hind legs.
Use the rubber mitten or pad to remove excess dead hair and do a final sweep over the coat with a damp cotton or rubber glove to remove any loose hairs that remain. If your cat becomes restless or stressed, stop and then start again when your cat is relaxed. Reward with praise and treats.
DemattingMatts (or knots) can be extremely uncomfortable for a cat and difficult to remove at home. Preventative grooming is the key, however if you do come across a matt, tease it apart gently using your fingers, working slowly from the root towards the end of the hair. Do not be tempted to use scissors as it is very easy to cut your cat!
More severe matts will need to be shaved off and will usually need to be performed at a veterinary hospital (see more information below).
BathingMost cats do not tolerate bathing well, so if your cat is healthy there is usually no reason to give your cat a bath. For some cats, bathing can make life easier for those people who are allergic to cats. With longhaired cats it is advisable to keep the hair trimmed short around the bottom to prevent occasional soiling by faeces.
Signs of Stress – When To StopThe following are some of the more subtle indications that the cat may be feeling uncomfortable. Interaction should be stopped when any of these signs are visible.
Skin rippling or twitching
Tail swishing, thumping or twitching at the end
Sharp turn of cat’s head to face your hand or the brush
Cat suddenly freezes or becomes tense
Cat’s ears flick or rotate backwards
Cat swallows or licks lips
Cat shakes it’s head
Cat performs a short lasting but rapid burst of grooming to body
Cat growls or hisseshelp! You are unable to groom your cat at home
We frequently meet cats who require grooming under sedation. This is often the case with cats who have matted coats. In these circumstances your cat will require a veterinary check-up prior to the sedation/anaesthetic. When your cat is under sedation we will perform a ‘lion clip’, leaving your cat with fur on the tail, head and lower legs.
In July of 2018, this honey pot forum was sold out to an unidentified NPC sock puppet and troll organization. Most independent thinkers and writers migrated to other MGTOW forums as a result of the never-ending infighting and deliberate trouble starting caused by members who were given "carte blanche" by the admin to do whatever they want. Before my departure, I only left a few thousand cat pics here to comfort and ridicule the feminist owners who now run this place. Their background agenda is to make MGTOW look like a club of losers the public eye. And during the course of 2019, they actually managed to destroy almost all other MGTOW venues as well. Here is the truth about "theindependentman.org" aka "TIM" which was created as an extended workbench to further divide the community. When you register, they install a spyware Zombie cookie on your browser that does all kinds of things the user does not know of: http://www.filedropper.com/essay-on-the-removal-of-malware-cookies-used-by-tim
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