Grooming Tips for Cats

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.

Trimmed using the Masterclip Showmate II cordless cat trimmers - so much fur!

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.

CORDLESS CAT TRIMMERS

 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. 

@Jimmy Miew - Kitty Adventures - Jimmy needs regular trimming to keep him clean and manage his coat.

The advantage of having your own pair of trimmers is that if your cat does develop small matts, you can spend a few minutes grooming them in the comfort of your own home with no rush to remove them all at once.  If your cat does get a little bored of grooming after a while, you can always wait to do little more later. This is ideal for cats that are not so fond of being groomed as a little can be done at a time to suit their speed and comfort. Of course, if your cat’s coat has already become very matted and painful, it is best for a veterinarian to safely clip the coat under anaesthetic to avoid causing the cat distress or accidental injury to the very delicate skin. Once your cat’s coat grows out, it will be easier to keep on top of it with regular brushing and trimming.

The average cost of a cat groom and de-matting with a professional grooming salon costs around £65. So, purchasing your own trimmer, that will last for many years is a good investment and with regular grooming sessions will help to strengthen the bond between you both.

@Lifewithhousepanthers - Beautiful female Maine Coon cat after her trim 

TOP TIPS FOR TRIMMING

• Ensure your cat is relaxed and introduce the trimmer to your cat slowly
• Brush the coat through before trimming.
• 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 – A cat’s skin a very delicate!
• Remove any matts first before trimming larger areas to stop the trimmer snagging on the hair.
• Groom with lots of positive praise and reward with treats. Your cat will soon learn to enjoy a good pamper. 😊