GROOMING TIPS

  If you have a longhaired cat you’re probably very familiar with the need for daily grooming. The coats of longhaired cats easily tangle and mat, so regular grooming is a must. Unfortunately though, I’ve seen many longhaired cats who don’t get the needed daily grooming and end up with health complications as a result. 

 Even if you have a shorthaired cat, regular grooming is an important part of maintaining health. The cat may not have a coat that mats but frequent brushing will cut down on shedding and the amount of hair getting ingested through self-grooming. 

• Brushing distributes the natural oil which helps maintain skin and coat health
• With frequent brushing you can address tangles before they turn into mats
• Grooming enables you to check for parasites such as fleas and ticks
• Time spent brushing your cat can help deepen the bond between the two of you
• Frequent grooming helps desensitize the cat to being handled
• You’re able to check for any skin abnormalities or ear problems
• The more hair you brush, the less hair the cat will swallow

• Tangles and mats can pull on the delicate skin and make it difficult for the cat to walk
• Mats around the armpits could result in tearing of the skin.
• Dense mats block air flow to the skin and can cause skin irritation or wounds
• Fleas can hide in the mats, making it difficult for you to find and remove them
• Mats on the cat’s backside can become encrusted with feces and/or dried urine
• A cat may chew or tear at a mat due to pain and end up ripping the skin

 If you brush your cat on a regular basis, the daily maintenance shouldn’t take long. Grooming shouldn’t be torture sessions lasting 30 minutes. With a longhaired cat, brush just a few minutes every day to keep the coat in good condition. For shorthaired cats, brushing a couple times a week should be enough, based on your particular cat’s coat condition and any other unique factors. 

 Use brushes and combs that are comfortable and appropriate for your cat’s type of coat and pay attention to how much pressure you’re applying when you brush. 

Remember, a cat’s skin is sensitive and very thin. There are many types of brushes and combs available.  Sometimes you have to try several different ones before finding the right one for your cat.

If your cat isn’t used to being brushed and isn’t reacting well to it, then start with a grooming glove and then work up to a soft bristle, gentle brush. To help teach your cat to like brushing, hold a treat in your hand while brushing and reward him for letting you brush.

If you have a longhaired cat and are unable to brush regularly, set up an appointment with an experienced CAT groomer. Contact your veterinarian for a referral or read reviews of groomers in your area because you’ll want a groomer who uses gentle, force-free techniques and has experience with cats.

 Most cats do NOT require bathing. With her built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth), your fastidious feline is well-equipped to tackle her own hair care needs. But if she is very dirty or gets into something sticky or smelly, you may need to give her a bath. If so, follow these steps to ensure minimal stress and maximum efficiency.  

READ ENTIRE LIST BEFORE BATHING

Schedule baths when your cat is at her most mellow. A play session with a cat dancer or other toy of choice can help tire out even the friskiest of felines.

For  your own protection, we recommend trimming Fluffy’s claws before bathing.

Give your cat a good brushing to remove any loose hair and mats.

Gently place some cotton in her ears to keep the water out.

Place a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub where you’ll be bathing your kitty so she doesn’t slip. Fill with three to four inches of lukewarm (not hot, please!) water.

Use a hand-held spray hose to thoroughly wet your pet, taking care not to spray directly in her ears, eyes and nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, a plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup works great.

Continued ... Bathing Your Cat                  

Gently massage your pet with a solution of one part cat shampoo (human shampoo can dry out her skin) to five parts water, working from head to tail, in the direction of hair growth. Take care to avoid the face, ears and eyes.

Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off your cat with a spray hose or pitcher; again, be sure the water is lukewarm. Take good care that all residue has been removed, as it can irritate the skin and act as a magnet for dirt.

Use a washcloth to carefully wipe your pet’s face. Plain water is fine unless her face is very dirty—in which case, we recommend using an extra-diluted solution of shampoo, being very cautious around her ears and eyes.

Wrap your cat in a large towel and dry her with it in a warm place, away from drafts. If your kitty doesn’t mind the noise, you can use a blow dryer—on the lowest heat setting. If your pet has long hair, you may need to carefully untangle her fur with a wide-toothed comb.

Reward your cat with endless praise—and her favorite treat—for a successful bathing session.

 ‘Scruffing’ of a cat is a term used to describe restraining a cat by firmly gripping the loose skin at the back of the cat’s neck – this is sometimes accompanied by lifting the cat up or heavily restraining the cat in other ways.

International Cat Care is against the use of scruffing as a method of restraint, because of the stress and distress it can cause to cats. Scruffing is commonly used where people are fearful that they may be bitten by a cat, and while it may reduce this risk, the act of scruffing and the imposed restraint on the cat can be highly intimidating, may cause fear and panic, and often provokes or escalates defensive aggression. It is, therefore, both counterproductive and compromises the welfare of the cat.

Gentle handling techniques are much less stressful and allow the cat to have some sense of control, which is important for the cat’s well-being. The ICC provide educational resources such as videos (click here to watch “handling cats for owners”) and written guidelines to help veterinary staff and others caring for cats to use handling techniques that are better for the cat’s welfare, including ways to handle cats that are showing defensive aggression (e.g, towel-wrapping and sedation where appropriate).

Veterinary clinics should never scruff cats as well.

There may be very rare exceptions when scruffing is needed as a very last resort for temporary restraint if there is an imminent danger to the cat or to personnel, but scruffing should never be used as a routine means of restraint.

Cats need healthy feet to scratch, climb and achieve their famed acrobatic landings. That’s why it’s important to regularly examine and clean your cat’s paws and make sure they’re wound-free. 

• Your cat’s feet should always be kept clean. Aside from causing pain, unhealthy substances that stick to her feet may end up on her tongue during grooming. Once each day, give your cat’s paws a gentle wipe with a damp cloth, checking between her toes and around the paw pads. Keeping your floors and other surfaces free of debris and household chemicals will go a long way to help keep your cat’s feet clean.
• Cats are natural explorers who sometimes get into foreign places. Check your cat’s paws regularly for any cuts, sores, splinters or swellings.  Remove splinters or debris gently with tweezers and clean any small cuts. If you notice any blood, pus or an unusual odor, please take your cat to the vet to check for infection.
• Long-haired kitties may have hair sprouting in between their toes. If this irritates your cat (you’ll know if she licks at the hair obsessively), trim them gently with a small pair of rounded scissors.
• Be wary of your kitty’s sensitive paw pads. In hot and cold weather, moisturize them with a vet-recommended product and try to avoid letting your cat’s feet touch freezing patios, hot sidewalks or other uncomfortable surfaces.
• If you notice your cat obsessively cleaning her paws, limping or favoring one leg, please investigate—she might require veterinary attention.

Does your kitty disappear when the clippers come out? Do you have to wrap her in a towel to give her a manicure? Follow these steps to help your cat relax while you trim.

1. Choose a chair in a quiet room where you can comfortably sit your cat on your lap. Get her when she’s relaxed and even sleepy, such as in her groggy, after-meal state. Take care that she isn’t able to spy any birds, wild animals or action outside nearby windows—and make sure no other pets are around.
2. Gently take one of your cat’s paws between your fingers and massage for no longer than three seconds. If your cat pulls her paw away, don’t squeeze or pinch, just follow her gesture, keeping in gentle contact. When she’s still again, give her pad a little press so that the nail extends out, then release her paw and immediately give her a treat. Do this every other day on a different toe until you’ve gotten to know all ten.
3. Your cat should be at ease with the sound of the clippers before you attempt to trim her nails. Sit her on your lap, put a piece of uncooked spaghetti into the clippers and hold them near your cat. (If she sniffs the clippers, set a treat on top of them for her to eat.) Next, while massaging one of your cat’s toes, gently press her toe pad. When the nail extends, clip the spaghetti with the clippers while still holding your cat’s paw gently. Now release her toe and quickly give her a treat.
4. The pink part of a cat’s nail, called the quick, is where the nerves and blood vessels are. Do NOT cut this sensitive area. Snip only the white part of the claw. It’s better to be cautious and cut less of the nail rather than risk cutting this area. If you do accidentally cut the quick, any bleeding can be stopped with a styptic powder or stick. It’s a good idea to keep it nearby while you trim.
5. With your cat in your lap facing away from you, take one of her toes in your hand, massage and press the pad until the nail extends. Now trim only the sharp tip of one nail, release your cat’s toe and quickly give her a treat. If your cat didn’t notice, clip another nail, but don’t trim more than two claws in one sitting until your cat is comfortable. Then, reward her with a special treat.
6. A nail-trimming every ten days to two weeks is recommended. If your cat refuses to let you clip her claws, ask your vet or a groomer for help.
7. If your cat resists, don’t raise your voice or punish her. Never attempt a clipping when your cat is agitated or you’re upset. And don’t rush—you may cut into the quick.
8. Don’t try to trim all of your cat’s claws at one time.
9. Do NOT declaw your cat. This surgery involves amputating the end of a cat’s toes and is highly discouraged by the ASPCA. Instead, trim regularly, provide your cat with appropriate scratching posts and ask your veterinarian about soft plastic covers for your cat’s claws.