Cats are obsessed with keeping themselves clean. If you own a cat, you’ll already know that cats are serial groomers. In fact, they put our cleaning habits as humans to shame. But in our defence, cats don’t really do anything other than groom themselves and sleep all day, so they aren’t exactly pushed for time…
But, no matter how adept your feline is about its cleanliness, they can still do with a bit of help your end.
There’s more to grooming than just making your cat look and smell good. Regular grooming sessions will allow you to keep tabs on your furry friend's health and will help keep feline health problems like hairballs at bay. When groomed regularly, you’ll see that your cat has impeccable fur as well as great health.
And there’s not much that you have to do. Let’s take a look at what has to be done to ensure you’re cat looks and feels as fabulous as possible.
How to get started…
If you own a cat, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t just wake up one day, snatch your unsuspecting kitten and start grooming it right away without ever having done it before! The result is going to be dreadful for the both of you - and whilst your cat isn’t likely to enjoy the experience, you’ll come out a lot worse if you don’t approach it in the right manner.
We suggest that very slowly, you get your cat accustomed to grooming sessions. Choose a time when your cat is completely relaxed and at ease, perhaps after it has eaten.
Start off with grooming sessions that are just 5 to 10 minutes long. Pet your little friend and offer praise - then reward with treats at the end of each session. If your cat shows signs of extreme distress, stop and try again a few days later.
As the cat becomes accustomed to these grooming sessions, it’s possible that your pet will come to enjoy it eventually.
The basics of brushing
Regular brushing of your cat’s coat will help you get rid of the dead hair and dirt, but will also help to smooth out any matted fur and tangles. Ensure that you’re doing this gently and avoid pulling on their hair too hard or you’ll have a bad-tempered cat to answer to!
Also, make sure that you’re brushing in the direction of the hair growth and not against it. Be sure to be extra gentle when brushing around the chest and belly area.
If your cat has short hair, brushing twice a week is more than enough. On the other hand, if you have a long-haired kitty, you’ll have to brush it a little more often.
Bathing time…
Now, it’s common knowledge that cats HATE water and if you own a cat, you might have witnessed just how much. The good news is that cats don’t need to be bathed that often at all. But if your cat’s coat has become extremely dirty and the regular tongue-baths they give themselves just won’t suffice, then it’s time for you to get involved.
Bath time doesn’t have to be a nightmare for both of you if you do it right. The team at Masterclip recommend following these simple tips:
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Start off by ensuring that the water temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. You’re aiming for a comfortable lukewarm.
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Ensure that you use a shampoo that’s specifically made for cats and is labelled so as well.
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Use a tub or a sink and place a rubber bath mat inside - then fill it up to around 3 to 4 inches of water.
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Now, slowly and very gently, begin by wetting down your cat using a spray hose. Avoid pouring water directly on to the cat’s head at all costs. Ensure that the eyes, nose and ears are not poured onto directly.
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Start with the head and work your way down to its tail.
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Rinse the shampoo away thoroughly. Be sure to not spray the cat directly on the head.
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Pat dry your feline with a large towel.
Note: If you need to clip your cat’s nails, do it before bath time and use small nail clippers designed specifically for this purpose.
Low maintenance pets
When compared to other pets, cat’s are fairly low maintenance which is a definite upside for cat lovers. But as is the case with other pets, your cat can also do with a bit of help in its quest to stay pristine at all times!
Cats might be independent creatures but even they can do with a pair of cat clippers, a grooming comb and their very own brush to help with their elaborate need to be groomed.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can be of help.