Cat Grooming: Tools, Tips, and Tricks For Quickly Pampering a Feline

Cats are great at keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they need a little help. When you notice smelly breath, excess fur laying around the house, and feel sharp claws during playtime, it could be time for a grooming session.

But how can you go about grooming your feline without seeming like the enemy?

First Things First:

• Keep the Sessions Short. Cats always seem to have better things to do than to be occupied in a pampering session. Try to keep the grooming sessions under 15 minutes. Remember, the quicker the better!
• Offer Tasty Treats. Offering treats throughout the session will keep your feline happy. This will also help to create a positive association between the grooming sessions and your cat.

For Fabulous Fur:

• Brush Kitty’s Fur Once a Week. If you want to reduce the excess amounts of fur around the home, try to schedule a weekly brushing session with your kitty. Not only will this act as a bonding session with Kitty, but it will also keep his fur in tip-top shape so he will look his finest.
• Avoid the Bathtub. It is common knowledge that cats dislike water, especially a bathtub full of water. Using pet bathing wipes instead of a tub full of water will make this cleaning experience less scary for a feline. Do not simply use human bathing wipes, pet stores carry special bathing wipes for animals that have cleansers that are safe to use on animals. To use the cloth, simply wipe it over your cat’s back, face, and legs. The cloth will remove dirt, dandruff flakes, and excess fur, making your feline’s fur soft and shiny.

Clipping the Claws:

• Use Pet Claw Clippers. These clippers are a great investment because they are simple to use, and they can safely clip your kitty’s nails so you don’t have to worry about cutting the claws too short.
• Make Sure Kitty Is Relaxed. Try calming your feline down beforehand so that he is relaxed before and during the process. To clip the nails, gently squeeze his paw so that the claws are fully extended. Then as quickly and safely as you can, snip the end of each nail off. Make sure you avoid the pink part of his nail because this is a nerve and clipping it will cause your cat a lot of pain. Follow the same process for the remaining 3 paws.

Healthy Teeth:

• Use a Special Toothbrush. Pet stores sell toothbrushes made to fit in a cat’s mouth. Unfortunately, brushing your cat’s teeth can be a difficult task to master. Cats do not like having their mouths touched, and you may only be able to brush a few teeth the first time you try. Eventually, however, you will be able to work your way up to brushing your cat’s whole mouth, just be sure to take your time until your cat is comfortable with the brushing sessions.
• Hire a Professional. If your cat is simply unwilling to let you brush his teeth, you may have to rely on a professional to keep your kitty’s teeth clean. We have discovered that a lack of feline oral care can result in tooth decay and cavities, which can further result in a life-threatening disease for a cat. Therefore, in addition to the yearly Veterinarian visit, you may want to schedule an oral grooming appointment for your cat too.

Implementing these cat grooming tools, tips, and tricks will help to improve the health of any feline, and will make them look and feel like the royalty that they are.