Cat Care
Facts and Tips on Cat Grooming

Cat grooming is an essential part of cat care. Whether you have a longhaired cat or shorthaired cat, it will need grooming. The only difference is the extent of the grooming. Some cats are high maintenance whilst other cats require minimal cat grooming. For cat information on each cat breeds grooming requirements, take a look at our domestic cats fast facts.

Our grooming pages will cover all your cat's essential hygiene needs. The grooming routine will help you form a close bond with your cat and it's advisable that you start it at kittenhood. Taking care of a cat is simple if you follow our guide.

We will provide advice on cat health care, hygiene and cat grooming requirements from head to tail and all the bits in between!

A dirty cat is an unhappy cat! Keep them happy by keeping them clean, healthy and comfortable - that's good care!

Cat Care - Why You Should Groom Your Cat?

Here are 10 good reasons why you should groom your cat:

• Brushing and bathing removes all that unwanted dust, grit and dirt. It lifts dead skin cell flakes and removes all loose hair.
• Brushing is said to increase blood circulation thereby improving muscle tone and stimulating new hair growth.
• Brushing also separates each hair, making that already magnificent coat fuller and fluffier (longhaired cats) and sleek and shiny (shorthaired cats)
• Removes excess hair during molting period.
• Less loose hair means your cat will ingest less hair during self-grooming and thus reduce hair balls.
• It's an ideal time to inspect your cat for possible ticks, lice, mites or signs of any other minor ailments of the skin, eyes, ears and mouth.
• Shedding will be reduced, which means less cat fur around the house and in turn, those humans susceptible to allergies, will cope better.
• A neglected coat will become tangled, matted and knotted, which becomes an ideal breeding spot for parasites!
• It's a time to do an amateur health check for early signs of disease. And as we know - prevention is better than cure.
• Grooming is a special time to shower your cat with and love and affection.

Cat Care - When to Groom Your Cat?

As mentioned it's important to introduce your cat to their grooming routine as young as possible.

To prepare your kitten for grooming in the initial stages, all that will be required is gentle stroking. Then, as the kitten becomes accustomed to this, gradually introduce your kitten to the full cat care routine. It's important to note, that irrespective of how gentle you are, cat's skins are extremely sensitive which can make cat grooming difficult. The key is daily grooming - start early and establish a routine.

Hints

• Before you start grooming, ensure that both you and your pet are calm and relaxed.
• When initiating the grooming routine, never use force.
• Cats need their sleep, so never wake your cat from their beauty sleep or attempt to groom them when they are asleep. This is guaranteed to make them grumpy!
• Should your cat show signs of stress or irritation during their grooming session, rather postpone the session until later.

So 'when to groom your cat' basically depends on a time suitable to both parties! Start training early if you want it on your terms!

Well, there is another alternative. If you have the means, you could employ the services of a reputable and professional cat grooming parlor. Some parlors offer a service where they collect your pet from your home and return it after grooming. Others offer a home-based grooming service.

Professional groomers really are a must if you are a novice. We recommend that if you aren't comfortable bathing your Longhaired cat, removing stubborn knots or clipping claws, it's advisable that you call on the professionals at least once a month. This certainly is affordable and well worth the effort. Your cat will return looking and smelling brand new. Thereafter, you can maintain your cat in this good condition making daily grooming a breeze until the next visit to the parlor.

Visit our other pages on cat care - cat skin care and cat eye care - for a complete guide for general cat health and hygiene. Call us the house cat care specialists!

You may want to visit For the Love of Cats, Natural Cats for more information on natural remedies for flea control

Related Cat Grooming & Cat Care Info Pages:

Cat Grooming provides insights into the 'tools' required for efficient cat care

Cat Bath and tips on how to bath a cat

Cat Hair Care and 10 easy steps to caring for Longhaired and Shorthaired cats

Cat Eye Care - general eye health and details on Persian cat eye care

Cat Nail Care provides a guide to caring for cat's claws

Cat Dental Care and tips on caring for your cat's ears and nose