Grooming
Your Cat

      Regular grooming is essential to your cat’s health and wellbeing. If you want to keep your cat clean but minimize the need to bath it, then simply keep your cat’s coat well combed out.
      When your cat is brushed on a daily basis, not only does it comb out dirt and loose hair, but it also distributes the natural oils throughout the coat which helps to keep dirt from sticking to the hair. Daily brushing also gives you an opportunity to monitor your cat for fleas, ticks, and any injury.

Shedding and Grooming Schedule . . . . .

      Cats in the wild shed only in Spring, but because domestic cats are kept in artificially lit and heated conditions, they molt all year round. As a result, your cat needs regular grooming. Short-haired cats that are fairly proficient at self-grooming may need to be brushed only two to three times a week; however, long-haired cats should be brushed daily to prevent matting of the coat and hairball problems which are indicated by loss of appetite, dry cough, and constipation. Hairballs may be reduced with regular doses of hairball remedy which acts as an internal lubricant.

Brushing Your Cat . . . . .

      In addition to removing loose hair and dirt, regular brushing also removes debris and parasites, tones muscles, and stimulates blood circulation and new hair growth. Natural bristle brushes are easy on the skin and will minimize static; however, whatever type of brush or comb that you use, brush gently and carefully, using slow strokes while calming your cat in a soft voice. Your cat may have sensitive body areas, so it is important on how you use the brush. By starting with short grooming sessions at a young age, your cat will become accustomed to your handling and be less likely to resist grooming efforts in later years.

Checking your Cat’s Eyes . . . . .

      You need to check your cat’s eyes daily for dirt, foreign material, and oozing discharge. To clean, wet a cotton ball or swab and carefully wipe around the eye area, being very careful to not touch the eyeball. Contact your veterinarian if there is any sign of infection, scratches, or other injury.

Cleaning the Ears of your Cat . . . . .

      Ears should be checked periodically. Dirt and wax accumulation in the ear canal can cause ear infections which may lead to deafness. If your cat begins to flatten an ear or scratch around its ear, you need to check for ear mites. This crab-like creature is hard to see, but a noticeable brownish-black discharge in the ear is a sure sign of ear mite infestation which needs to be treated by a veterinarian without delay.

To clean the ears of your cat, perform the following steps:

• Dribble a few drops of mild animal ear-cleaning solution into one ear.
  
• Gently massaqe the base of the ear for 5-10 seconds. This should not be painful to your pet. If it is, have you cat examined by a veterinarian.
  
• Repeat the procedure with the other ear.
  
• After massaging, stand back and let your cat shake it’s head to bring softened wax up out of the ear canal.
  
• Use clean cotton balls to gently wipe out the canal, removing any wax, dirt, and debris you can see. Depending on the size of your pet’s ear canal, you may have to use only part of the cotton ball.
  
• Avoid cotton swabs unless your cat stays very still and allows ear care without moving the head. Never place the swab any farther into the ear canal than you can see, as this can cause pain, year drum damage, and hearing loss.
  
  

Clipping the Claws of your Cat . . . . .

      Cats generally shed their nail sheaths by chewing or pulling the claws on a tree or other scratching post. If you choose to trim your cat’s nails, use a small, sharp cat nail clipper. Hold the paw firmly, squeezing gently at the base of the nail. This will cause the nail to protrude so that you can trim off the hooked tip in a single stroke. (If you cut the nail too short you will cut into the quick which will cause bleeding and pain to your cat.) You may need to follow up with a nail file to smooth the cut edge. If your cat is an outdoor animal, you shouldn’t trim the nails, as this is the best defense to escape enemies and other perils of the outdoors.

Bathing your Cat . . . . .

      Cats can groom themselves, so your cat may be able to stay clean with your help in grooming procedures. However, if your cat doesn’t self-groom sufficiently, or it needs a flea bath, you may need to schedule periodic bathing. Be sure to use only shampoo which is specially formulated for cats.
      Washing a cat isn’t easy, as most cats hate water and dislike being bathed. You may need help, and take precautions with an Elizabethan collar to avoid being scratched or bit by an upset cat.
      If your cat has long hair, brush it thoroughly before you give it a bath, carefully cutting out any matted fur (you may need to have it removed by a professional groomer).

• Before starting the bath, you may want to place a few drops of mineral oil in your cat’s eyes to protect them from soap. Then dip a wash cloth in warm water and wipe around your cat’s eyes and ears.
  
• Make certain the room is 70 degrees or warmer. Place cotton balls into your cat’s ears to prevent water from getting into the ear canals, which can cause an infection.
  
• Place a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink, so your cat won’t slip. Test the water temperature (lukewarm is best).
  
• Carefully, with help of a friend if necessary, place your cat in the sink and soak its body. If you use a spray nozzle, turn it away from your cat until it gets use to the noise.
  
• If you are using a flea shampoo, wet your cat’s neck first so the fleas don’t crawl on your cat’s face.
  
• After washing and rinsing thoroughly to remove all traces of soap (soap residue can cause skin irritation and dermatitis), take your cat out of the bath and blot the tail and leg areas with a paper towel to remove accumulated water. Then wrap your cat in a towel. If your cat is short hair and your house is warm, you can let your cat’s hair dry on its own. Longhaired cats should be brushed toward the head to fluff the fur and remove dead hair.
  
• Hair driers should be avoided because cats dried with heat can develop complications ranging from mild skin dryness and itching, to serious overheating or heat stroke.
  
• Keep you cat out of cold, drafty places until the coat is dry.