Cats, unlike dogs, don’t seem to need as much grooming.
Cats excel at taking care of themselves, but we can lend a hand with a few treatments. We can assist them with cat grooming and care treatments like combing, claw trimming, or brushing their teeth, ears, and eyes. Starting these routines when kittens are still young is preferable to prevent difficulties in acclimating them to it later in life.
Both kittens and adult cats can become accustomed to these treatments through short sessions that conclude with a reward. However, in adult cats, the process may progress at a slower pace compared to kittens, and the initial stages might pose some challenges.
Cat fur care
Cats take great care of their fur, licking it. They also swallow hair during the toilet, which clumps into a ball in the digestive tract. This may cause ailments and in extreme cases clog the intestines, contributing to their death. Therefore, combing is one of the most important treatments to cat grooming and care, especially for long-haired cats.
Hair balls come out by themselves. When we give the cat dry food, it contains fibers, facilitating the processes of hair excretion.
Should we care for the fur of a short-haired cat and a long-haired cat differently?
Owners of short-haired cats should brush their fur bi-weekly. They should use a soft-tipped comb with a fine-toothed metal, bristle, or rubber brush for best results. After brushing, they can also wipe the coat with a chamois cloth to give it a shiny appearance.
You can comb cats with no or little undercoat, meaning they have a short, dense, and soft layer of fur beneath their coat, using a bristle brush, a chamois, or by gently running a damp hand over them.
Grooming a cat’s fur also depends on the breed:
- Balinese cats with silky, semi-long fur need to be combed with a comb or a bristle brush once a week.
- Siberian cats with a lush undercoat need frequent combing so that no tangles are formed, which are painful for the cat when brushing off.
- Semi-long-haired cats should be combed with a detangling comb. A toothbrush can be used to comb the fur around the eyes.
Nail care
Owners of cats that do not go outside should look into a scratching post.
However, owning one does not imply that we should refrain from cat grooming and care through trimming the cat’s claws. If the claws become too long from scratching, they may become entangled and cause pain to the pet.
To trim claws, use special scissors, clippers or cat claw cutters.
- First, get your cat used to the fact that you will hold its paws
- Then move on to pressing the pad until the claw comes out. The cat’s claw has two zones, the one closer to the pink paw which is very bloody and innervated. It must not be cut. We cut only the white tip, which is not innervated.
- Sit your cat comfortably on your lap in a quiet place, best when they are tired or sleepy.
- Cut firmly in one motion at right angles.
- Divide the treatment into several sessions, if the cat gets tired.Don’t forget to reward with treats after each treatment
Cat teeth how to care for them
Almost every cat has dental problems. Inflammation of the oral cavity can lead to other diseases.
The most common problem is the build-up of tartar, a yellow coating of bacterial plaque. The plaque builds up, becoming harder and thicker. The larger the tarter, it presses on the gums and can cause inflammation.
The basis of hygiene is a proper diet. Feeding dry food causes mechanical abrasion of the stone. On the market you will find foods that contain ingredients that help fight bacteria that form in the mouth and form plaque, and at the same time refresh breath.
Sometimes it’s worth giving your cat a raw meat bone. When eating, it separates the meat from the bones, breaking them up, also eating elements such as cartilage and tendons, effectively cleans the teeth.
Sometimes, however, we need to reach for a special toothbrush and toothpaste designed for cats.
Cat ears and eyes
A brown discharge appears in the cat’s ears, this should be checked regularly. When you notice a large amount, you should contact your vet as this may be an indication of scabies.
- Do not use cotton buds except to clean the outermost part
- Do not clean too deeply so as not to damage the ear canals
- Excess wax can be cleaned with instruments intended for the hygiene of animal ears
- You can drop a small amount of liquid or gel into the auricle, then spread it with your finger, or use a cotton swab
- Use saline or ophthalmic preparations to wash the eyes
Keeping your cat clean and well-groomed contributes to its health and happiness. However, it’s important to remember that you should systematically perform hygienic procedures in a pleasant and stress-free manner for your pet.