How To Groom A Cat Properly – 7 Tips

Cats make adorable pets. These little balls of fur add energy and life to any place they’re present. One of the best things about keeping cats as a pet is that there’s only little that you’ve to take care of. Cats are quite independent when it comes to self-grooming. They preen themselves all the time to ensure they’re neat and tidy. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to look after their grooming at all. There’s only little that cats can do with their tongue –it’s you who has to take care of them to keep them looking clean and pretty!

You’ve got to pay attention to your cat’s grooming. The cleaner and more groomed your pet cat is, the healthier and fresher they’ll remain.

If you’re a new cat owner and have little or no clue about how to groom a cat properly, don’t worry. We’ve got your back!

1. Make Grooming Fun for Your Cat

Don’t make the grooming session a war with your cat. If your cat seems to be uneasy, uncomfortable, or cranky, let your cat be. Take a break and try again later. If your cat isn’t in a good mood, a grooming session will only be stressful for both you and your cat. Make the entire episode a fun one so that your cat enjoys it and lets you clean it properly. If your cat appears stressed, rub its ears and feet, cuddle them if need be, or do anything that’ll make your cat feel relaxed and safe.

2. Keep the Grooming Sessions Short

One of the most important tips that you must follow when you’re grooming your cat is to keep the session short. Try to get done with it as soon as you can. If you think you can’t manage it alone, get someone to help you so that you can get done with it quickly. If you stretch the session too long, your cat will become irritable and impatient and might scratch you.

3. Praise and Treat Them

If your cat cooperates during the grooming session, praise them and treat them so that they know they did well. This way, the next time you groom your cat, they’ll know they’ll be rewarded. It’ll make the entire ordeal easier and more enjoyable.

4. Demat the Knots In Their Fur

Knots in the fur can be uncomfortable for the cat, even painful if they get stuck in the brush. Dematting is a vital part of a cat’s grooming. The grooming session can’t be complete without dematting the fur first. When at it, rub your fingers through the knot very gently. Start from the root and work towards the tip of the hair.

5. Brush Their Fur Regularly

You should regularly brush your cat’s fur coat to keep them looking tidy, especially if your cat has long fur. Dirt and cat poop may stick to the fur, which can only be removed through brushing.

If your cat has short fur, brushing once a week is enough. You’ll need a metal comb to loosen up the dead fur on the cat’s body. Start brushing them from the head and move towards their tail. Use a rubber brush to get rid of dead hair. You need to careful around their chest, belly, and face.

Cats with longer fur need a little more care. Unlike short-fur coats, you should brush your cat with long fur daily. In this case, start brushing from the legs and make your way upwards. Brushing should be done in an upward direction so that the fur is lifted and appropriately cleaned.

6. Bathing

Another important part of a cat’s grooming is bathing. If you don’t bathe your cat for too long, it’ll start feeling oily, sticky, and smelly. So you’ll know when your cat needs a bath. You’ll need a special cat shampoo.

Before you bathe your cat, brush their hair as much as you can so that the loose and dead hair is removed and they don’t clog the drain. Put an anti-slip rubber mat in the sink or bathtub so that your cat doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Fill the tub or sink with warm water. Wet your cat entirely but very gently. Make sure you don’t spray water directly into your cat’s eyes, nose, and ears. Rub the shampoo on their body gently, starting from the neck and move towards the tail. Once done, rinse the shampoo off your cat properly. Dry off your cat with a dry towel and keep them warm for the day. You wouldn’t want your cat to catch a cold.

7. Clip Their Nails

Nail clipping is also very important when it comes to your cat’s grooming. Nails are home for dirt and germs and must be cleaned regularly. You may not realize your cat’s nails need to be trimmed till you get scratched – certainly not a good reminder, is it?

When you’re clipping your cat’s nails, just don’t get down to it straight away. First, play with their feet so that they get accustomed to the feeling of their feet being held. Gently squeeze their feet so the claws can emerge. Trim the nails using a cat-special nail clipper. Make sure you don’t clip the pink part; that’s where blood vessels and the nerves are.

Grooming a cat properly isn’t that hard. All it takes is practice. You’ll find your way around it in time. Your cat will get used to it eventually as well. If your cat makes grooming sessions too difficult for you, don’t give up and hang in there because once your car gets used to it, it’ll actually be fun!