Cat GroomingCat grooming is important because cats are constantly shedding. Following are reasons it is worthwhile to help your cat with her grooming:1. Grooming removes loose hair and prevents her from swallowing it and thus reduces the amounts of hairballs she will have. 2. Loose hair traps heat. In summer this can make it uncomfortable for kitty 3. Excessive hairballs cause intestinal blockage and must be expelled. 4. Grooming stimulates blood circulation and distributes natural oils 5. Grooming seems to calm cats. They enjoy being stroked Cat Grooming AidsYour first tool should be a comb or flexible wire brush made for cats, not one for people. A comb for short haired cats has short teeth, all the same size. Long haired cats will require a wider comb than short haired cats. Their comb has long teeth with short teeth interspersed. Both types of combs usually are made of plastic and have finger holes molded into them for a better grip.A soft bristled brush, especially for long haired cats is also recommended.
A grooming mitt or glove is also needed in grooming your kitty. Some things not to do when grooming kittyA cat’s skin is extremely fine and can easily be ripped if you use the wrong tools for cat grooming. Remember scissors are sharp and cats are fast. These two things are a bad combination when grooming a cat. Never use a razor to try to cut out a tangle. If scissors are required, as a last resort, make sure the scissors are round tipped so kitty won’t get cut accidentally.
Never try to sedate your cat to groom her. Once she comes out of the sedation, she may be very unpredictable and thus very dangerous. If kitty needs to be sedated and groomed, it should only be done by your veterinarian.
Cat Grooming StepsStart grooming by petting your cat from head to tail. If she is unresponsive, let her go and try again later. While petting her, locate matted spots with your hands. At the same time you can also check for fleas, lumps and sores. Next work the brush into the petting session. Use a soft bristled brush. Start at the top layer of her fur and gradually work deeper into the fur. This way you avoid getting stuck in tangles or clumps. Always brush in the direction of your cat’s fur. Brushing against the grain may irritate the skin causing her to flee whenever she sees the grooming brush. Keep brushes in various places throughout the house. That way kitty can be groomed at the spur of the moment without having to search for a brush.Cats don’t like unfamiliar objects so if you are just introducing your feline to grooming, keep the session short. Once the session is over, reward her with praise and possibly a treat. Once she has accepted you grooming her with a brush, repeat the stroking session and introduce the comb. If the comb you are using won’t get the tangle out, try a shedding comb. Sprinkling cornstarch or Fullers Earth on tangles while combing kitty’s fur usually helps loosen tangles. This usually makes it easier for your comb to slip through. If you are unable to get the tangle free, a last resort could be to take her to a cat groomer. Do not bath kitty in hopes of loosening the tangle as bathing actually makes the tangle worse. Ignoring tangles will cause them to twist into a knot that will pinch your cat’s skin and become quite painful. The long haired cat’s toe tuffs can also form tangles so be sure to check this area as well while you are grooming her. After the brushing and combing is complete, use a grooming mitt or glove. The glove will remove any remaining cat hair. While using the mitt you are also massaging her skin and distributing her natural oils. The result is a healthy, shiny coat. Cats can become obsessed with grooming which can result in break off hair, bald spots and damaged skin. This is usually caused by flea allergies.
If your cat has no desire to groom herself, she may be sick. You should check with a vet immediately.
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