Cats have a reputation for being clean animals as they are regularly seen grooming themselves throughout the day. However, there are some areas they need some assistance with such as brushing (especially long-haired cats), claw trimming and teeth brushing. Grooming is also the perfect opportunity to check for parasites or skin issues and is a great bonding activity between you and your cat. Read our ultimate guide to grooming your cat.
The benefits of grooming your cat
Grooming your cat offers several benefits:
Prevents the formation of knots and hairballs
Reduce the amount of hair ingested during self-grooming
Increased circulation
Opportunity to check for parasites such as fleas or ear mites
Opportunity to check their skin for cuts, lumps or bumps
Great bonding activity between you and your cat
Prevent build-up of plaque and as a result minimise dental disease through teeth brushing
Prevent ingrown nails and injury through claw clipping
When should you help your cat with grooming
You should start grooming your cat from an early age, so it becomes part of their regular routine. Curious kittens can get themselves into sticky situations so they may sometimes require assistance to keep clean. Grooming from their early years also helps to build a strong bond through physical contact and a shared trust between you and your cat.
Senior cats or cats with illnesses may require assistance to groom hard to reach areas.
Longhaired cats can benefit from a daily brush to prevent the formation of knots and hairballs. Shorthaired cats are quite capable of grooming themselves, however a brush once a week is recommended to maintain their coat, check on their health and bond with them.
How to brush your cat
Regular brushing and grooming is an important part of pet care, particularly for medium to long-haired cats. It helps to keep your cat’s coat in great condition by removing loose hair and preventing the formation of knots and hairballs. How often you brush and groom your pet will differ based on their coat type, length and recent activities.
To groom a long-haired cat - use a wide-toothed metal comb and gently brush in the direction of their hair growth. Brush their chest, abdomen, behind their ears, backs of their legs and armpits where tangles often form. Long haired cats will benefit from a daily brush.
To groom a short-haired cat - use a fine-toothed metal comb once a week to remove knots or tangles. Gently brush over their body in the direction of their hair growth. A natural bristle or rubber cat brush can be used to remove any loose hairs.
Knots and hairballs - knots or hairballs can be gently teased out using fingers or a damp cloth. You can also sprinkle a little talcum powder onto the area. Never use scissors as they can cause injury if you cat moves suddenly. If they have a particularly bad knot, several knots or if your cat is uncomfortable, speak to your vet or local groomer for assistance.
Parasite & skin check - grooming your cat is a great opportunity to check for parasites such as fleas and ear mites. It is also a great opportunity to check their skin for cuts, lumps or bumps.
Keep it positive - Grooming should always be comfortable for your cat. Be gentle and reward your cat for allowing you to groom them. This way they will associate grooming as a positive experience, making it easier for both of you.
Should I give my cat a bath?
Most cats stay relatively clean and rarely need a bath. Bathing can be quite stressful for a cat so should generally be avoided unless recommended by your vet for medical reasons. The only other reason is if they get into something sticky, smelly or oily that requires assistance to be removed. If this is the case:
Use a mild shampoo specially formulated for cats
Use warm water, not cold or hot
Find a small area to bath your cat
Gently wash your cat, avoiding their face and ears
If their face or ears are dirty, use a soft damp cloth
Gently dry them with a towel
Keep them in a warm area of the house until they are completely dry
If you need to bath your cat, help keep them calm by talking to them in a soft, reassuring voice. Offer them pats and rewards to keep it positive. If they have a favourite toy, you could offer it to them during bath time to help distract them. Get all the supplies you need ready in advance so you can focus on bathing when its time. Stay calm, take you time and keep it positive.
How trim your cat’s claws
Overgrown nails can grow into your cat’s paw pad and lead to an ingrown nail. This can be quite painful for them and lead to an infection. They can also catch on objects easily, which can cause damage to the nail itself.
Outdoor cats or those that are fond of their scratching post can naturally wear their nails down through climbing, scratching, running and playing. Some cats need your help to keep their nails trim by clipping them.
Whilst each cat and breed is different, as a general rule your cat’s nails should be inspected and if necessary trimmed every 4-6 weeks.
Before you start – get them familiar with you handling their paws and touching their nails. Let them see and sniff the clippers. Use lots of praise and treats along the way to keep it positive.
Getting prepared – allow plenty of time, trimming your cat’s nails should not be rushed. Only cut a few nails or one paw at a time, then build up over time. Wait until your cat is calm and ready with no distractions from nearby pets or windows.
Cutting their nails – start by gently pressing your cat’s paw between your finger and thumb to unsheathe the claw. Examine each nail to identify the nerve and blood supply. Cut 2-3mm beyond this point at a 45-degree angle. If it’s your first time or you are unsure ask your local vet or groomer for assistance. They can give you a demonstration, so you know how to cut their nails in the future.
What if my cat’s nails are black - black nails can make it difficult to find the nerve and blood supply. If your cat has black nails, you can speak with your local vet or groomer for guidance before cutting your pets nails for the first time as there are a variety of ways to determine where to cut the nail depending on the cat. You can also shine a torch on the nail as this can often identify the nerve and blood supply on dark nails.
Paw health – when inspecting and checking your cat’s nails, it’s a good time to check their paws for signs of injury or irritation. Get in touch with your vet if you notice anything unusual. You can minimise problems such as cracked pads, irritations and infections from mud, rain, gravel etc. by simply wiping your cat’s paws after spending time outdoors. Keep a towel handy by the door and make feet wiping part of your regular routine.
How to brush your cat’s teeth
Home dental care is a great step that you can take towards keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy. Brushing your cat’s teeth helps to prevent the build-up of plaque and as a result minimise dental disease.
Gather your tools – You will need a specially designed toothbrush for cats. Their bristles are softer and they are angled for your cat’s mouth. Finger brushes are also available. Do not use a human adult toothbrush to brush your cat’s teeth. You can use a soft child’s “My First Toothbrush” if necessary. You can also use gauze swabs or even a face washer wrapped around your finger. You will need some cat toothpaste too. Never use human toothpaste as it contains ingredients that can be harmful to your cat’s stomach.
Start slow – get in a comfortable position with your cat, make sure they are calm and relaxed. Get them used to you touching inside their mouth. Next, put some toothpaste on your fingertip and let them try it. If after a few tries they refuse to lick the toothpaste, it may be worth trying a different flavour.
Start brushing – when your cat is used to you touching inside their mouth, start using the toothbrush with some toothpaste on it. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to their gum line. Lift their upper lip and brush in small gentle circles over the surface of each tooth.
Build up over time – Start with a few easy to reach teeth and work up to more each day. Start with the outside (cheek facing) teeth and back teeth where plaque tends to collect. Keep it gentle and fun and limit each brushing session to a few minutes. Aim to brush your cat’s teeth daily, but even once a week will make a difference.
Reassure & reward – Be gentle, pat and talk to your cat while you are brushing their teeth. When you have finished, give them a reward. Rewards could include a dental treat, pat, praise, a toy or playtime. This way they will associate tooth brushing as a positive experience, making it easier for both of you.
Check for dental disease - Brushing your cat’s teeth is a great time to check for signs of dental disease. If your cat has loose teeth, bleeding or swollen gums or seems sensitive around the mouth speak to your local vet before you continue brushing.
Grooming is an important part of pet care. If your cat is not keeping up with their grooming or if you notice anything unusual with their skin or overall health, please get in touch with us on 03 8784 4444.