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If you have a cat as a pet, then grooming should be an essential pet care routine. Grooming your cat every week is recommended to keep him healthy, hygienic, and smelling good.
Cat grooming typically includes giving him frequent baths, trimming his nails, and brushing. Regular grooming helps you identify skin issues or injuries that may have gone unnoticed. Timely attention to such matters prevents escalation into more serious problems.
If you are a cat owner that needs initiation into
grooming, here are some common questions that can help you understand where to
begin:
Is bathing a cat
necessary?
Yes, it is. Though cats are known to keep themselves clean
by licking, it is barely enough.
If your cat is aged, above normal weight, or arthritic,
then he will not be able to clean himself thoroughly by licking alone.
Bodyweight, advanced age or arthritis, can make it difficult for your cat to
stretch and reach all areas of the body. Bathing him is important to keep him
clean and disease-free.
Can I use my
shampoo on my cat?
Never. Bathing products designed for human skin can damage
your cat’s delicate skin. Use only products formulated for cats and kittens.
What is the correct
age to start cat grooming?
It is always better to familiarize your cat with the
process of grooming even as a kitten. This way, your pet will adjust himself to
being handled and brushed.
Start with brushing your cat. Use cat and kitten brushes
designed for the purpose. Your cat may think of it as a play session. Do so
regularly, and your cat will realize that he needs to get brushed as a routine.
Those yucky
hairballs! How to prevent my cat from throwing them up?
Cats tend to lick themselves to get rid of dust, dirt, and
other foreign objects on their body. When they lick, they tend to take in the
hair strands on their skin, into their mouth. Their digestive system converts
the hair into a ball. In most cases, your cat will vomit it, and you can get
rid of it immediately. In rare cases, you may have to get the hairball removed
surgically.
One way to prevent your cat from throwing up hairballs is
to brush him every day. With excess fur removed, your cat may not cough out
hairballs.
How do I remove
mats from my cat’s body?
Mats are strands of cat hair that get stuck together over
time, becoming a big mass. This cluster of hair is not only irritating for your
cat but can also lead to infection in the long run.
You need to remove mats gently. Do not pull them as it
causes great pain and irritation to the cat.
If the mat is small and not too knotted, use your fingers
to un-knot them gently. In case of a big mass, use an oil-based mat-softening
spray to loosen the matted fur. Then, use a metal comb to disentangle looser
knots.
For deeper knots, first, separate the tangles into smaller
ones by holding the mat closer to the skin; then use the comb on the separated
tangles.
Cutting mats are not usually recommended. They are cut
only as a last resort.
If you are unsure about grooming your cat, it is better to get the
advice of your vet. Consider hiring a professional groomer, preferably one
recommended by your vet.
