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Groom Your Cat A Special Way
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Groom Your Cat A Special Way

perroEditorial
Apr 28, 2022
11 min

Most cats take pride in their general appearance- you’ve probably watched your cat spending almost half of their waking hours giving themselves one of their daily baths. However, as independent as they are, cats sometimes need a little help to achieve their best appearance. Always remember that a clean cat is a happy one! They turn into more social creatures whenever they are clean.

Grooming your cat plays a big role in caring for your furry friend, especially if it has medium to long hair. Besides, it allows you to spend quality time bonding with your pet and gives you a chance to spot any conditions like bumps or lumps on its body.

On most occasions, you will find that other cats have some difficulty grooming themselves either because of old age or hair that is too long and hence becomes knotted and entangled. This is a condition known as matting and there are several reasons it happens in cats. When cats shed their undercoat, it becomes caught up by the topcoat, causing some entanglement. Dirt and oily cat fur also become entwined.

The longer the intertwined fur is left unattended, the more problematic it becomes since the knots grow progressively tighter making your cat uncomfortable. This may also possibly cause potential health issues.

Here is everything you need to know about matting and how to prevent it when self-grooming is not enough.

Why Matted Hair May Cause Trouble for Cats

Matted hair may prevent oxygen and moisture from reaching your cat’s skin, making it dry and irritated. Entangled fur at the rear end also traps faeces and urine, causing an infection. That’s why you need to keep your cat’s coat well-brushed to keep the skin healthy and ventilated.

If you have noticed that your cat is not able to groom himself properly, or their fur appears entangled, then it’s probably time you brush its coat regularly or seek help from a professional groomer before the situation becomes worse. Don’t use scissors to cut the mats out, just try a proper grooming procedure. Also, provide your cat with a well-balanced diet since this also plays a role in their coat’s health. The Himalaya Furglow Liquid (Skin & Coat) for Dogs and Cats is recommended! It helps to give a shiny and glossy coat as well as to promote good skin health. 

How to Groom Your Cat Properly

The best way to prevent mats from forming on your cat’s coat too frequently is to brush your furry friend regularly and properly. From nail trims to brushing and bathing, this is a process that may take your cat some few days to adapt to. 

The whole process may never excite your cat, but the following tips and suggestions will enhance a more peaceful and effective grooming session with your furry friend. Read on to find out how to keep your cat’s fur, skin, teeth, ears, legs, and eyes healthy and clean.

  1. Skin and fur Care
  • Brush Your Cat Regularly-Brush long-haired cats 2-3 times a week to prevent fur entanglement. Short-haired cats need to be brushed once a week. Brushing removes skin flakes, dead hair, grease, and dirt, and stimulates blood circulation. Give extra attention to the underside, hind legs, and hips where matting commonly forms. You may need to use your fingers to pull the knots apart in case your cat’s coat has become matted. Keep the grooming session short if your cat keeps squirming. Use a good brush that’s specifically designed for cat grooming, like Trixie Massage and Shine Brush and Petkin Everclean Pet Massage Comb.
  • Bathe Your Cat Occasionally-Fill the sink with three to four inches of lukewarm water. Use a water bottle, a jug, or a hand-held spray to gently wet your pet. Avoid your cat’s ears, eyes, and nose. Massage your cat using a cat-safe shampoo such as Shed-X Shampoo, which has been specifically formulated for cats. Work from head to tail following the direction of hair growth. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo and wrap it in a large clean towel. Try a dry shampoo bath for cats who don’t tolerate water.
  1. Paw and Nail Care

Always examine and clean your cat’s paws and nails. Trim the sharp tips of your cat’s nails using a nail clipper after every 10 days or 2 weeks. Make sure your cat is not looking because most cats are often afraid of clippers. Don’t trim all the claws and you shouldn’t also force your cat when he resists. Use an appropriate nail clipper like the Trixie Claw Scissors for Cats.

  1. Ear Care

Monitor your cat’s ear every week for debris, wax, and any other form of infection. In case you spot any debris, you can use PPP Ear Cleaner Refill to effectively remove them.

  1. Eye Care

Always examine your cat’s eyes before grooming. Check for any crust, inflammation, tearing, or cloudiness that could indicate an infection. Wipe away any crusts and see a vet if you notice any eye-related disorders. Since you can’t wash your cat’s eyes using shampoo, you can try using a Pet Horizon EYErific Eye Cleanser, which is gentle on your pet’s eyes and has healing properties.

  1. Dental Care

Cats also need healthy gums and clean sharp teeth. Regular home checkups and dental cleaning can reduce many dental infections in cats, which normally manifest through excessive drooling, swollen gums, bad breath, pus, and difficulty chewing food. You need to brush your cat’s teeth regularly using a small brush and specially formulated toothpaste for felines. Consider the Virbac C.E.T Oral Hygiene Kit with Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Fingerbrush for Dogs and Cats. It is a full dental care starter kit which makes life convenient!