Everyday Care for Cats: All You Need to Know About Cat Grooming

Cats are fastidious about grooming, spending nearly half their waking hours perfecting their appearance. While they're independent, lending a hand in their pampering routine can be beneficial.

Grooming your cat is a significant aspect of taking care of your pet. Regular grooming ensures that your cat not only looks fantastic but also feels fantastic. It's not just about appearance—it's also about spending quality time bonding with your furry friend.

When you groom your cat regularly, you get the chance to examine their body closely. This allows you to check for any unusual signs of health issues, like lumps or bumps, which might otherwise go unnoticed. So, grooming isn't just about keeping your cat looking beautiful; it's also about keeping them healthy and strengthening your bond with them.

The Benefits Of Cat Grooming

Cat grooming goes beyond just appearances; it offers numerous benefits for your furry friend:

So, while grooming may seem superficial, it offers a range of benefits that contribute to your cat's overall health and well-being.

How Cats Groom Themselves

If your cat has ever given you a lick, you've probably noticed how rough their tongue feels. That's because their tongues have lots of tiny bristles, kind of like our hairbrushes, which help them clean their fur by combing out dirt and loose hair.

When cats groom themselves, they often end up swallowing some of their own fur. This can lead to them coughing up fur balls, which is totally normal, so there's no need to worry. But you can help reduce the amount of fur they swallow, and therefore cut down on fur balls, by giving them a gentle brush.

Short-haired cats are usually pretty good at grooming themselves, but longer-haired cats might need a little extra help. With all that fur to clean, they might miss a spot or two, so they'll appreciate your assistance with grooming.

When You Should Help With Cat Grooming?

It's best to begin grooming your cat when they're young so it becomes a regular part of their routine. Curious kittens often get into messy situations, so you might need to lend a hand in keeping them clean!

Regular grooming is crucial for cats of all ages, especially as they grow older and may struggle to reach certain areas. Starting grooming routines early fosters a strong bond and trust between you and your cat. Short-haired cats typically require weekly brushing for coat maintenance, while long-haired cats benefit from daily brushing to prevent matting and furball buildup, which can be uncomfortable. Your assistance in grooming will be appreciated, even if your cat doesn't show it at the time.

How To Groom Your Cat?

Grooming duration varies depending on your cat's breed and hair type. Ensure smooth grooming sessions by having the right tools and a dedicated grooming area. Check out our top grooming tips for more guidance.

1. Fur Brushing

For short-haired cats, use a fine-toothed metal comb weekly to untangle knots. Employ a natural-bristle or rubber cat brush to remove loose hairs. Gently brush or comb their hair in the direction of growth, then use a bristly cat brush to smooth the coat down toward the head.

For long-haired cats, daily brushing with a steel comb is recommended. Use your fingers to tease out any knots, using a damp cloth if needed. Avoid using scissors to prevent accidental cuts.

You can also use the Steam Grooming Brush, Best for excess hair removal with one click spray.

If grooming becomes challenging, try offering treats, gentle strokes, and soothing words to calm your cat. Take advantage of the grooming session to check their teeth, eyes, ears, and gums for any signs of health issues. If your cat becomes stressed, take a break.

2. Inspecting Your Cat's Claws

Cat grooming goes beyond aesthetics; it's a chance to monitor your cat's claws regularly. While outdoor and active cats often maintain their claws naturally, indoor or elderly cats may require assistance. Weekly checks and occasional trimming prevent claws from growing inward, potentially causing pain and infection. To be able to do this you got to have a good quality nail clipper.

Overgrown claws in senior cats may indicate osteoarthritis, warranting a vet's evaluation for additional treatment. As claws serve essential functions like defense and climbing, trimming is advised only when necessary.

How To Trim Cat Claws?

Before trimming your cat's claws, assess if it's necessary. Outdoor cats rely on their claws for climbing and defense, so only trim if they risk overgrowth. Check their claws weekly, looking for ingrowing or damaged claws, which may require vet attention.

If you're unsure how to trim, seek guidance from your vet or a veterinary nurse. Start claw-trimming early, preferably during kittenhood. Use cat claw clippers, never human nail clippers or scissors, and keep them sharp. Snip only the transparent tip, avoiding the sensitive blood vessel inside.

Be cautious not to cut the quick—the sensitive part—as it can cause pain and bleeding. If accidentally nicked, apply silver nitrate sticks and apply pressure. If bleeding persists, consult your vet promptly.

While checking claws, inspect paw pads for cuts or foreign objects, and between toes for soreness. Notify your vet of any abnormalities.

Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

Complete your weekly cat grooming routine with a gentle brush of their teeth. You can use a cat toothbrush or a cotton bud for this task. Ensure to use specially formulated cat toothpaste, as human toothpaste can cause stomach upset in pets.

Bathing your cat

Bathing is typically unnecessary for cats since they groom themselves. However, if your cat encounters something smelly or gets muddy or matted fur, you may need to step in. Keep in mind that bathing cats can be challenging and stressful, as most cats dislike it. Buy some bathing tools to make the task more easy and exciting. 

Cleaning Your Cat's Ears

While cats are great at grooming themselves, they may need assistance reaching certain areas for extra care. Cleaning a cat's ears can be challenging, as they are sensitive in that area. Some cats may struggle to keep their ears clean, so occasional gentle cleaning can help maintain their hygiene.

Grooming A Kitten

When you bring a new kitten home, you might wonder if grooming is necessary right away or if it's best to wait until they're older.

Figuring out what your kitten needs in terms of grooming and establishing a suitable schedule can be challenging. However, it's beneficial to start grooming your kitten as soon as possible.

What causes cats to over groom?

You might observe your cat excessively grooming themselves, often indicating stress from changes in their environment. Continual overgrooming can result in skin inflammation, sores, or hair loss, and in severe cases, even skin biting.

Additionally, overgrooming may lead to the ingestion of excessive hair, forming hairballs in their stomach. These hairballs consist of dead hair and digestive juices.

Regular grooming is crucial, especially during shedding seasons, to prevent overgrooming issues. 

See you in the next blog with more insights about pets’ care and grooming.