Cats

Long-haired cats need more routine brushings, in some cases daily, to manage their coat and keep from getting painful and unsightly mats. These regular grooming sessions will help prevent mats and hairballs by removing loose fur and keeping the skin and coat healthy, soft and smooth.

Grooming long-haired cats requires certain tools. A wire slicker brush is recommended, as well as an undercoat brush and finer-toothed comb. It is important to groom your cat’s entire body to prevent mats from forming in areas such as the armpits and abdomen. When untangling mats on your long-haired cat, it is important to be careful not to tug. This could hurt or even tear your cat’s delicate skin. Instead, use a mat splitter to cut the mat into small pieces and then remove with a comb. A weekly brushing is recommended, though owners can opt to groom their cats more often is necessary.

Medium-haired cats have a thick, double coat and need more routine brushings to manage their coats. These regular grooming sessions will help prevent tangles and hairballs by removing loose fur and keeping the skin and coat healthy, soft, and smooth.

Grooming medium-haired cats requires certain tools. A slicker brush is recommended, as well as an undercoat brush. It is important to groom your cat’s entire body to remove loose hair. A weekly brushing is recommended, though owners can opt to groom their cats more often is necessary.

Short-haired cat grooming requires certain tools. A rake and blade brush removes hair from the thick undercoat and a slicker brush works to remove loose cat hair. It is important to groom your cat’s entire body working from head to tail. A weekly brushing is recommended, though owners can opt to groom their cats more often if necessary.

Cats are well-equipped to manage their hair care needs, but sometimes they need a little help to remove dirt from their hair and skin to keep clean. Prepping for bath time is an important part of the bathing process. Having a play session with your cat before bath time will help your feline to be mellow help the process to go more smoothly. If your cat has claws, it is recommended that you trim them before giving him a bath for the protection of you and your cat. Giving your cat a good brushing beforehand to remove any loose hair or mats will make the process go more smoothly.

After you’ve successfully bathed your cat, wrap him up in a large towel to dry in a warm place. Be sure to reward your cat afterward with praise and treats.

For long-haired kitties, you may need to untangle his fur with a wide-toothed comb.

Sphynx cats do not have coats, but that does not mean that they don’t need special care for their skin. This breed actually requires more human help when it comes to grooming than a cat with fur. This is because the thick coat of fur that other breeds of cats have that help to absorb the oils from their skin. Your Sphynx should be bathed weekly to avoid oil build up on the skin.

If your cat’s hair is matted, shaving the hair is an option. Matting can be painful and cause scarring to your cat’s skin. There are also other reasons for shaving your cat which include: cat allergies, hairballs, dirty bottoms, and excessive shedding. Not all cats need to be shaved and they can become stressed during the process. Know your feline and what his needs are before shaving.

If shaving is necessary, it is important to know how to do so properly. It is important to have a good pair of clippers and to test the sound around your cat before beginning so that they become used to it.

Clipping your cat’s hair is not necessary for most medium- and short-hair cats, especially if brushed regularly.

Many cat owners are apprehensive about trimming their cat’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick, a pinkish area inside the nail. The quick is the living part of the nail and contains blood vessels and nerves, and when cut can be quite painful for the cat. Do not cut close to the cat’s toe, only clip off the sharp point. If you were to accidently clip the quick, have styptic powder on-hand to stop the bleeding.

Provide your cat with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience. As you start to clip, gently press on your cat’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped.

It is recommended to trim your cat’s nails every ten days to two weeks depending on growth. Keeping trim can benefit you just as much as it will your cat. Removing the sharp points can reduce your cat’s ability to shred your furniture and also prevent painful broken or split claws from getting caught in the carpet. It’s important to nip the tips and your cat will thank you.

Just like a human, a cat’s eyes and ears are very important and can suffer from infection if not carefully managed. Regular ear care is often an overlooked area of a cat’s health. Many people are afraid to clean their cat’s ears. When overlooked, cats need to visit the vet for serious infections or mite infestations that could have been treated easily if caught sooner.

You can do your cat a great favor by doing regular home eye and ear exams. If you notice irregularities of their eyes such as crust, cloudiness or inflammation, it may indicate a health problem. Kitties ears should be kept clean from debris and wax to avoid infection and should be checked often.  Ears should be checked weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball.

Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your cat’s teeth on a regular basis. Some cats are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth. These problems can be easily combatted with regular brushing.

Your cat needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy gums. You can help make sure that your feline friend has a healthy mouth by giving them a good brushing every so often using a toothbrush and toothpaste formulated specifically for cats.