Cats are a lot of fun to have around the house. When they start shedding, however, it can be a bit annoying. Here are some critical cat grooming tips that will help you keep your furry friend looking and feeling great. Whether you’re a new or experienced cat owner, we hope these tips will help.
1. Brushing Your Cat
Brush your cat regularly to remove dead hair from their coat. This will help prevent mats and tangles from forming. Another good reason to brush your cat is it allows you the chance to inspect their skin for any hair loss, rashes, or other abnormalities.
Stick with a specific type of brush that’s designed specifically for cats. If possible, try brushing them before they get outside, so there isn’t as much shedding happening on your furniture and carpet.
2. Rubber Gloves
Use a rubber glove when picking up pet waste to avoid transferring bacteria to your hands. This will eliminate the need for frequent hand washing, which can cause skin irritations.
3. Litterbox Cleaning
Wash their bedding regularly or invest in some washable cat beds or mats, so you don’t have to subject them to being washed as often. If using any litter box system, clean it out at least once per week and replace it with fresh litter every few weeks if possible.
Remember that cats are pretty particular about where they go potty – do not just remove all of the used litter without replacing it with new. If you don’t like the smell of your cat’s litter box, keep it clean. Use unscented litter to remove any odor or bacteria that may be present, making their bathroom more inviting for them and less stressful on them.
4. Avoid Too Much Sunlight
Keep cats out of sunlit areas when possible, as this will cause them to overheat and may stress them out too much. Sunlight can also cause their skin to age prematurely and can lead to vision problems.
5. Litterbox Location
Always keep a litter box nearby, even if you have a cat that doesn’t go outside. This will ensure they don’t try going to the bathroom in other areas of your home, which can cause damage and, again, stress them out.
6. Bathing Your Cat
Bathing your cat is one of the cat grooming tips that can be tricky, so try to avoid it if possible. If you choose to wash them, use a gentle shampoo made for cats and never let the water get too hot – this can burn their skin or cause shock. Make sure to dry them off entirely afterward.
7. Ear Care
Use a cotton ball with some alcohol-free ear cleaner on it to wipe down inside of their ears afterward, as this is where they can be prone to bacteria buildup. Wax buildup is very common, so make sure to check their ears regularly.
8. Dental care
Use a cloth dampened with warm water to clean their teeth. If they have tartar buildup, try using some non-toxic toothpaste made for pets on the outside of each tooth and then wipe it off after about two minutes.
This will prevent your cat from swallowing any harmful ingredients which can be dangerous for them.
Below are some signs that indicate mouth problems in your cat:
- Persistent bad breath
- Halitosis or a sour smell from their mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Dry, red gums and flaking skin on the lips
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it may be time to take them to see a veterinarian. Some other signs can indicate something is wrong with the health of your feline friend’s mouth as well: how many times they chew each day if there seems to be difficulty chewing food or swallowing water, and if they have trouble picking up small lumps off the floor.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary but aren’t sure what it means for their oral health, make an appointment with your vet anyway – not only can they give you advice on how to care for your cat’s mouth, but there may be something seriously wrong with them.
9. Eyecare
Use a cotton swab with some saline solution to clean any dirt or debris from their eyes. If they have an infection, don’t use the same cloth you used for your cat’s teeth, as this can cause more problems down the road. Instead, try using one dampened in warm water and only use it once before throwing it away – otherwise, bacteria have a chance of building upon them.
10. Nail Care
If you can, get your cat used to having their nails trimmed while they’re still a kitten. If not, purchase some nail trimmers made for pets and avoid using human-sized ones as these will cause more damage than good. Make sure the trimmer is sharp, so it won’t catch on any of their skin or fur, which may hurt them but also ensure that you don’t cut into the quick – this blood vessel runs through the middle of each claw where there’s no bone.
If damaged, this will be painful for your pet since it’ll bleed quite heavily until stopped by clotting agents in its body. Use styptic powder afterward in case too much bleeding occurs from deep cuts within the immediate area; otherwise, apply pressure with a cloth wrapped around the claw to stop bleeding.
The following steps can help your cat relax before nail trimming:
- Get them in a darkened room where they feel safe and secure.
- Talk with your cat in low, soothing tones to help them relax.
- Gently pet their back or head while you give some treat rewards for good behavior during this process – most cats will eventually come around and enjoy the attention, which is what we’re trying to achieve here instead of just forcing our pets into doing something that makes them uncomfortable before resorting to screaming at them until they do it out of fear rather than choice!
- Start trimming nails on one paw first, then move on to another so as not to overwhelm your feline friend by getting all paws done quickly without any breaks in between.
- Apply gentle pressure when cutting each nail but don’t cut too close since sharp points can cause your cat to bleed excessively or injure themselves by being unable to move appropriately if their claws are too long.
- Use styptic powder on any bleeding cut areas afterward just in case, but avoid using cotton balls as these will stick into the wound, which is very painful for them.
11. Paw care
Cats tend to lick off their paw pads after they’ve been outside for a while, which can cause them to ingest any harmful chemicals that may be present in the air around your home.
To prevent this, try applying some petroleum jelly or bag balm before you let your cat out, so it’ll act as an invisible barrier on each pad and keep these toxins away from their skin.
Conclusion
If you follow these simple cat grooming tips, your furry friend should be looking and feeling great in no time! Remember to stay patient – it may take a little while for cats to adjust to the changes made around the house. Be persistent, and they’ll eventually come around or at least tolerate what’s going on better than before
