Basic Cat Grooming Tips

Grooming really is a necessity and usually a very enjoyable process for your cat(s) and you. Cats and kitten spend large numbers of hours in their own grooming, as you may have observed.

In fact, they spend more than 30 per cent of their lives working on their coats! Because it's so important, grooming is an essential way for you to help keep them healthy.

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Reasons Why Grooming is so Important

1. Grooming can cut down on the number of fur balls a cat will have throughout the year. Since vomiting ranges from uncomfortable to painful for a cat, this is a huge step in making life better for him or her.
2. Grooming is a fast and easy way to check on your cat's health. A smooth, even, silky coat indicates that all is well.
3. You can make sure there are no fleas or ticks, or lumps of fur that need to carefully removed. 
4. Grooming sessions are a good time to check out a cat's eyes and ears - wiping them with a damp piece of cotton or a soft cloth while making sure there are no ear mites or eye infections.
5. This is also the time to accustom a kitten to having its feet touched and its nails checked. Nail checks are especially important in older cats, because they can grow down under the feet and into the pads, making walking painful.
6. Lastly, if possible, don't forget to look at your cat or kitten's teeth, to make sure there is no brown plaque buildup, and check the gums to make sure they look pink and healthy.

Grooming Tools

For most grooming, you need only one of the following:

• A fine-toothed comb
• A rubber-backed pin brush
• A slicker brush

Be sure to groom in the same direction as the hair grows, and most cats will very much enjoy a grooming session.

Removing Lumps of Hair

Lumps of hair can be a problem especially with long-haired cats. If you do find lumps of hair while you are grooming it is important to remove them. 

Lumps can be very uncomfortable for a cat, as the clumped hair pulls at the skin and creates serious discomfort. Cats with a lump will often pull and pull to try to remove it. 

The easiest way for you to help is to take the comb, place it between the lump and the skin, then cut out what you can with a safety scissors. Usually, the remaining clump of hair will grow out enough to be completely removed at a later time.

How Often

Short, enjoyable grooming sessions for you and your cat should be done: 

Once a week for short hairs

Daily for long hairs

Remember it's time that can double as a health check and a better life for your pet. It's also time to revel in the purrs and, if you're lucky, the occasional, trusting lick on your arm or face. Purrrrrfect!

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