Cats are naturally excellent at self-grooming. Their specially adapted tongues are covered in tiny spines that brush through the fur when they lick the coat. This helps to remove tangles and spreads the skins natural oils through the coat to make it shine, with a gleaming coat being a great indicator of feline health. However, cats with long hair, those that are outdoor cats, older cats, or those with certain medical conditions will require extra assistance to keep their coat in the best possible condition.
In this blog, you’ll discover practical tips for keeping your cat’s coat in great shape with daily brushing routines to safe, effective trimming techniques.
Daily Grooming Routine For Cats
Cats with fine or long hair such as Persians and Maine Coons, require a bit more attention to keep their coats looking their best. Regular grooming helps prevent mats and tangles, reduces shedding and keeps their fur smooth and shiny. By removing your cat's loose, shedding hair, you'll also be helping them by reducing the amount of hair they ingest and subsequent formation of hairballs!
Top Tip: Introducing your kitten to a regular grooming routine in their early months will help build their confidence with grooming, make it a pleasant experience for you both throughout their lifetime.
Here’s a simple daily grooming routine for long-haired cats:
- Brush their coat daily : Use a slicker brush or a wide-tooth comb to gently brush through your cat’s coat. Start with the head and work your way down to the tail, taking extra care around sensitive areas like the belly and under the legs. This will remove loose hair and prevent tangles from forming.
- Detangle knots carefully : If you notice any small knots or tangles, take your time and work them out gently with your fingers or a comb. Avoid pulling on the fur, as this can be uncomfortable for your cat.
- Check for mats in hard-to-reach areas : Mats often develop in places like the armpits, belly, and behind the ears. Run your hands over your cat’s body to check for any areas that may need extra attention. If mats do form, trimming these areas with a cordless trimmer like the Masterclip Showmate II can be very helpful.
- Wipe their eyes and ears : Long-haired cats can sometimes get debris or tear stains around their eyes. Use a damp, soft cloth or pet-safe wipes to gently clean these areas. Also, check their ears regularly for any dirt or wax buildup, and clean them with a cotton ball or pad if needed.
- Check for fleas or skin issues : While brushing, take the opportunity to check for signs of fleas, ticks, or skin irritations. A Fine toothed flea comb is the ideal tool for removing fleas, eggs and larvae from the coat. Regular grooming can help you spot any potential health issues early on.
- Provide positive reinforcement : Make grooming a positive experience by offering praise, pets, and treats. If your cat gets restless, take breaks as needed to keep the session stress-free.
Top Tip - A grooming mitt is a really useful tool for grooming cats as it replicates a stroking motion when used with the added benefit of removing loose hair, ideal for shedding and introducing young cats to the grooming experience.
Whist daily grooming may sound like a chore, keeping on top of your cats coat will make for easier grooming in the long run and with gentle handing and positive reinforcement, your cat will likely come to enjoy these grooming sessions and the time spent together will strengthen the bond between you.
Cordless Cat Friendly Trimmers
Long-haired cat breeds such as chinchilla's and Persians have very soft fur which can easily tangle. Daily grooming is a must for these cats to keep their coat from forming uncomfortable matts. Gentle, daily brushing of the coat with a slicker brush and comb will help to prevent tangles and removes the dead, loose undercoat during moulting. However, even with the best grooming routine, matts may still form, especially in the harder to reach areas such as under the tummy, throat and around the legs, which is where trimming can be of great use.
Our Showmate II cordless cat trimmer is designed for trimming and removing small matts in the comfort of your own home. This ultra-quiet and lightweight trimmer offers the convenience of 4 comb attachments to provide different lengths of cut. Using these attachments to trim the trickiest areas of the coat a little shorter, such as the tummy and trousers, makes daily grooming much easier for both cat and owner. See a review of our Showmate II cat trimmer in use with Jimmy Miew here.
Tips For Using Trimmers To Safely Trim Your Cat
If you've haven't trimmed you cat before and want advice, consult your vet or professional cat groomer to gain tips and techniques to help you keep on top of your cat fur at home. Our trimmers are designed for home grooming to tackle small matts and for trimming. If your cat is very matted, dislikes being handled or becomes stressed during grooming, it's best to seek professional guidance.
- Ensure your cat is relaxed and introduce the trimmer to your cat slowly
- Brush the coat through before trimming and feel for any matts in the hair.
- Rub the trimmer over the body first whilst turned off.
- Choose the longest attachment comb to trim with – you can always go shorter if needed later.
- Switch the trimmer on and hold it gently against your cat’s body (without trimming) so they can feel the vibration and listen to the sound.
- Run a few drops of clipper oil across the teeth of the blade before trimming and every 5 minutes during.
- Ensure the trimmer is held parallel to the skin and doesn’t dig in.
- Stretch the skin taught to avoid catching the skin especially in the armpits – A cat’s skin a very delicate!
- Remove any matts first before trimming larger areas to stop the trimmer snagging on the hair. To do this, use a comb to act as a barrier between your cat's skin and the matt and use the trimmer without a comb guard. Watch out video guide below.
- Groom with lots of positive praise and reward with treats. Your cat will soon learn to enjoy a good pamper. 😊
Feeling Fine Feline Grooming
Brush your cat’s coat daily, especially long-haired breeds, to prevent mats.
Trim tricky areas like the tummy and legs to shorten the hair make grooming easier and prevent matts forming in these vulnerable areas.
Always introduce grooming tools slowly and reward your cat with treats to keep the experience positive.
Seek professional guidance if your cat dislikes the grooming process or is badly matted.
Explore our professional range of cat grooming trimmers and accessories to make grooming a breeze. Feel free to contact us for advice if you need further help with your cat’s grooming routine!
