Facts About Grooming Cats
Every cat needs to be groomed. Whether it be a little or a lot depends on the cat breed and how well kept you keep your cat. Some cats have long fur and need weekly and sometimes even daily grooming. Other cat breeds have short fur and won't require a lot of brushing, but may have long nails and will require them being cut more often than others. Each cat is different; therefore it is in your best interest to take a look at some facts about cats' grooming in order to ensure that your cat is healthy and well kept.
Keeping your cat groomed
Keeping any pet well groomed requires time and effort on the part of the owner. Cats are actually very tidy creatures themselves as most are in the habit of licking themselves. By licking themselves they clean themselves with their tongue. Licking also promotes good blood circulation, clears dead skin cells, tones muscles, and keeps their fur soft and clean. Here are some other tips on how to keep your cat well groomed.
Tip #1: Take time to brush them
Depending on what cat breed you have, short or long hair will depend on how much you brush the coat of your cat. It needs to be brushed well enough however, to promote proper grooming. Cats with shorter hair can be brushed with soft bristles so you don't scratch the skin or hurt your cat during the process. Cats with longer hair will require more time grooming using a comb with wide teeth that is designed specifically for cats. Once you have worked out the knots you can use a fine toothed comb to work through the smaller knots on the fur and hopefully eliminate most of them.
Tip #2: Take time to bathe you cat
Most cats don't require a lot of bathing since they keep themselves fairly clean; however you will still want to take time to bathe them every now and then. If your cat is outdoors a lot you will want to bathe them more often or if they get into berries or something really dirty outside. If your cat gets fleas, ticks, or lice you will also want to bathe them regularly until you can get rid of them.
Tip #3: Make sure to clean their eyes and ears
The eyes and ears are the most sensitive part on a cat's body but need regular cleaning. Cat ears can collect a large amount of wax while eyes can be damaged easily. There are solutions you can buy to clean the ears and the eyes out but it needs to be done carefully. If you are unsure how to do it then ask your local vet.
Using the right tools
Using good and proper tools will also help keep your cat nicely groomed. While tools may be a preference here are some basic tools you might want to consider purchasing in order to maximize your efforts:
· The Combo brush is a brush that can help you get out some of the toughest knots in your cat's fur.
· A flea comb will come in handy for getting rid of fleas obviously. It is a metal comb with fine teeth that are placed close together. The flea comb should be dipped into a cup of flea shampoo every time you comb through the fur.
· A slicker brush is a flat metal brush with small, fine wire bristles. They are bent at the right angle to help trap and remove any loose hair. They can be used on long or short hair.
Grooming your cat is an important part of owning it; keep these simple facts about cats' grooming in mind while you're trying to groom them and you should be fairly successful. If all else fails you can always take your cat to a professional groomer.
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