Keeping your cat well groomed helps to maintain a healthy, glossy coat and also provides the opportunity to check for fleas and mats. Removing loose hair also helps to prevent hairballs and can reinforce the bond between you and your cat.
Getting your kitten used to being groomed at a young age will make the process much easier and prevent it being a negative experience for your cat. Below are some of the options of brushes available for your cat, depending on the length of their fur and what grooming needs they may have. Make sure to choose one which will work well for your cat – this can involve some trial and error!
Short-haired cats
Although short-haired cats are less likely to get matted fur, it is still important to groom them regularly. Always brush in the direction of their fur and ensure you only start when they are happy and relaxed.
Brush options for short-haired cats:
| Flea Comb | Soft Bristle Brush | Rubber Brush/Mitt |
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Long-haired cats
For long haired cats it is important to groom them weekly as they are more likely to get knots and mats in their fur. Again, any grooming should be done whilst the cat is relaxed and you should avoid heavy restraint. Tackling the undercoat can be tricky and grooming may require two sessions. One session for the undercoat and one for the top coat.
Best brush options for long-haired coats:
| Wide Tooth Comb | Slicker Brush | Fine Tooth Comb | Rubber Brush/Mitt |
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Matting
Mats or knots can be very uncomfortable for your cat. They are most common under the armpits and on the belly. However, if they are severe they can affect the entire coat. Preventing them with regular grooming is best but if you do find one on your cat you should gently ease it apart with your fingers. NEVER USE SCISSORS to remove a mat! They are often very close to the skin and it is easy to cut your cat by accident.
If the matting is severe they will probably require shaving off. This often involves a sedation and a bad hair-cut! Please call us if you are worried that your cat is matted.
Bathing
It should not be necessary to ever bath your cat! For cats that get particularly dirty it may be easier to keep their hair trimmed in certain areas like around their back end.
Stress
Grooming should always stop when your cat becomes stressed. Flicking of the tail, flattening of the ears and vocalisation may be signs that your cat has had enough.
Has your cat stopped grooming themselves?
If your cat usually is good at keeping themselves groomed, which many of them are with a little help from their owner, and this starts to deteriorate, this can often be a sign that they are not well, even if there are no other obvious outward signs. Please contact your vet to make an appointment for an examination if this is the case.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have any questions about grooming your pet.
