Cat Grooming

Grooming is important to maintain the hygiene of a cat, keeping it in the best of health. Making a habit of grooming your cat regularly will go a long way in ensuring that your pet doesn't fall ill of avoidable reasons. A complete grooming regimen comprises of giving it a bath, combing its fur, trimming its nails, brushing its teeth and cleaning its ears as well as eyes. However, you need not follow all of them in a single, long session. Rather, keep the grooming sessions short and frequent, so that your cat gets used to them and also doesn't get fidgety while going through a single one.

Cat Grooming Tips

Bathing
One of the most important aspects of cat grooming comprises of bathing. Make your cat sit in a tub, with its front paws hooked on the sides, and put cotton balls inside the ears. Now, wet your pet with warm water and use shampoo all over its body, avoiding the face. Rinse off with warm water and shampoo once again. After the second rinse, rub a conditioner through its hair. Leave it on for a minute and rinse off completely.

Make sure that after shampooing as well as conditioning, you rinse off the residue thoroughly. Now, using your hands, squeeze out the water from your cat's hair and then wrap it in a towel. Pat with the towel and remove the cotton balls from its ears. Putting your blow-dryer on the coolest setting, use it to dry your cat's hair. After a lot of the dampness has gone away, comb your pet's hair, as you dry it.

Combing & Brushing
Brush your cat on a regular basis, especially if it has long hair. This will prevent the occurrence of tangled hairs and hairball. While brushing, make sure to follow the direction of your cat's coat, as going against the grain can irritate its skin. If you haven't brushed your cat's hair for a very long time and it has become tangled, it is advisable to cut off the hair in the troubled area. After brushing, move a wide-toothed comb through your pet's hair.

Trimming Toenails
You need to trim your cat's toenails regularly. Apart from preventing the scratching of furniture and draperies by your pet, this would also help it walk more easily. Start cutting the nails of your cat from an early age, so that it gets used to the experience. While cutting the nail, take the paw and press under the pad, making the nail come out. Always cut the nail tip only and stay away from the pink vein (or quick), because it is sensitive and will hurt if you cut into it.

Teeth Brushing
Regular brushing forms a very important part of your cat's overall grooming. For cleaning your pet's teeth, wet a cloth and dip it in salt and baking soda. Rub the cloth on its teeth. Make sure to be gentle while rubbing, lest you end up hurting your pet. This will help clean the gums and mouth of your cat and in the process, ensure that it remains healthy.

Cleaning Eyes
Just like the other body parts of a cat, you need to clean the eyes of a cat as well. For the purpose, you need to dissolve 1/8 tsp salt (sodium chloride or sea salt) in ½ cup of boiling water. Now, let the water come down to room temperature and then store it in a covered container, in refrigerator. After a gap of at least one week, use it for cleaning your cat's eyes. Heat the solution to lukewarm, dip a cotton ball in it and use it to wipe the eye area.

Cleaning Ears
Cleaning the ears of your cat also forms an important part of the overall grooming regimen. After you have given a bath to your pet, use clean cotton balls to remove dirt from its ears. Fold its ear gently and then wipe it with a cotton ball, making sure to clean the folds as well. In case you find the ear debris to be crusty looking, foul smelling or in excess, consulting a vet is advisable.