Some Basic Tips on Cat Grooming
Let’s begin any discussion on the grooming of cats with a simple fact – it takes time to get a cat used to the kind of man-handling that grooming demands. This is the reason that many cat owners are encouraged to begin performing grooming sessions when the cat is very young.
Consider that a basic set of activities performed during regular grooming sessions will include nail clipping, bathing, and brushing. This is a wide ranging and somewhat invasive assortment of procedures that few cats will appreciate. This tends to mean that an introductory period of grooming is usually required before the cat will be at ease.
To begin with it must be understood that a cat is normally very good at keeping themselves quite tidy and clean, but that is not going to mean that everything is under control. For instance, long-haired cats deal with frequent matting around their necks and their hind quarters, and even short-haired cats have a tough time with their chests, heads, and necks too.
It is a good idea to introduce a cat to its comb or brush very slowly. Let them sniff at it and give it a few tentative taps to assure themselves that it is of no harm. You can then give them a few gentle strokes with the comb or brush to show them that it won’t hurt them. Following up even a brief grooming session with positive reinforcement like a treat or a bit of petting will go a long way towards making them happier to be brushed regularly. Long-haired cats should be brushed every other day while shorter haired cats can do fine with a once a week session.
While cats and water are often considered incompatible, it is a good idea to also get a cat used to a regular bath. This can be done in a kitchen sink with a rubber mat along the bottom to prevent the cat from slipping. With only a few inches of warm water in the bottom, the bath can be accomplished easily, but the owner should never allow water into a cat’s eyes or ears. If a cat is truly panicked over the water and the sink, the owner should begin by wiping the animal down with a warm damp cloth or using a powdered shampoo to help with oily build-up or dry skin conditions.
Finally, there is the need to clip the nails, and this too is something best started when a cat is young. Regularly handling a cat’s feet will get them used to the steps needed to trim the nails. It takes specialized scissors and an ability to differentiate between the nail and the “quick” which will bleed profusely if clipped accidentally. Most cats will begin to deal with clipping if their feet are handled regularly.
Some cats take to grooming very readily and others panic, bolt, scratch and generally refuse such assistance altogether. If a cat is in need of grooming and the owner is unable to manage it, the veterinarian can usually supply such services or suggest a suitable provider.
