It is easy to see how cats acquired their reputation for cleanliness, they spend a third of their waking hours grooming themselves. The norwegian forest cats for sale barbed tongue can reach almost every part of its body. The forepaws and teeth are also used as cleaning instruments. However, good Cat grooming on your part can help reduce problems such as hair-shedding and dreaded hairballs, provide some one on one time with your feline buddy and have your Cat looking “show” ready.
Ears, Eyes, Claws and Teeth
Most professional Cat Groomers start with the examination of the pet and inspection of the ears, eyes, paws and claws. Clean your Cats’ ears with cotton and olive oil. (some slightly warm the oil if stored in a fridge). Gently wipe and clean. Pay particular attention to debris that is black, looks dirty..this is probably ear mites! Treat immediately. Eyes, gently remove any tear stains with a clean wet cloth. Be careful not to exert to much pressure around the eye area. Paws, examine between pads, remove any debris, kitty litter etc. Consider trimming nails if needed. Examine teeth. Some recommend brushing, although easier said than done. If a lot of tartar buildup, than you may want to visit your Vet for a teeth cleaning or try it at home with some of the products available from Vets, pet stores or online.
Combing and Brushing Cat Fur
Longhaired Cats in the wild molt in spring, but as domestic cats are kept in artificially lit and heated conditions, they molt or shed year round. As a result, longhaired cats need daily grooming. Two 15 to 30 minute sessions daily is required to keep their coats from matting. This not only reduces the amount of hair that is shed on furniture, clothing etc., but also reduces “hairballs”. There is Hairball Treatments that will aid with this problem and help prevent it from becoming a more serious issue.
To groom a longhaired Cat, use a wide tooth comb to remove debris and tease out mats. Brush some talcum powder or “fuller’s earth into the coat to add body. Brush out the powder immediately. Use a wire brush to remove dead hair, paying particular attention to the rump which mats more easily as well as underbelly and “pits”. Gently brush the face area with a toothbrush. Run a wide toothed comb through the hair, upwards towards the back and fluff out the ruff around the neck. For show cats, use a slicker brush on the tail.
Short haired Cats do not need daily grooming because their coats are easier to manage. They also have longer tongues, so they are proficient at self grooming. Two half hour sessions a week should be sufficient. Groom short haired cats with a fine tooth metal comb, working from the head to the tail. A rubber brush will not scratch the skin or one can use a soft bristle brush after combing. Cat skin is delicate so try not to scratch or irritate by using too much pressure or “over” combing and brushing in certain areas.
Frequent grooming should prevent matted hair. However, if there are knots, take care of these first by using a wide tooth comb. If the matted hair is real bad and your Cat objects to the intense combing, you may need to opt for scissors and cut it out. Not pretty but if the mats have been left too long, this is sometimes the best solution. Otherwise, every cat and kitten grooming session will become a “cat fight”.
If the Coat seem greasy, sprinkle in some talcum powder such as Johnson’s Baby Powder or a dry cleaner from the pet store, combing it in and out quickly. Some owners also use a piece of silk, velvet or chamois leather cloth to “polish” the Cat coat at the end of the grooming session.