Cat Grooming Tips

We understand cats are naturally clean creatures and will spend hours pulling out knots, licking and grooming themselves.

If you’ve ever seen this rigorous process you’ll know cats take great pride in their appearance and it’s a big job that can sometimes use a little help – that’s where the following information will come in handy.

The importance of grooming

• Grooming reduces the amount of hair swallowed by your cat and shed around your house
• Brushing distributes natural oils that help maintain skin and coat health
• Regular brushing keeps hair free of tangles and grass seeds, which can cause matting, painful skin infections and abscesses
• Brushing can be special one-on-one time with your cat that most cats will enjoy as it releases endorphins making them feel good
• It’s a good opportunity to check for parasites and any skin, ear or teeth abnormalities
• When you regularly groom and handle your cat you’re more likely to recognise when something isn’t right and be able to go to your vet for early diagnosis and treatment
• Regular grooming from a young age gets kittens used to being handled and examined

What grooming does my cat need?

Not every cat needs every type of grooming but all cats will benefit from brushing and nail trimming, while some cats may need clipping and bathing.

Making the most out of pamper sessions

• Start slowly and build up to 5-10 minute sessions
• To make your cat feel comfortable handle them gently but with confidence – if you’re nervous your cat will be too
• Always remember to reward and encourage your cat for good behaviour during grooming

Getting started

Cats are generally less tolerant of grooming than dogs, so be gentle and take things slowly so your cat learns to enjoy pampering now and into the future.

How often your cat requires grooming will depend on their coat, state of health and lifestyle:

• Senior cats often need a little more help to groom those hard to reach places
• Outdoor cats may need more frequent brushing to keep their coats free from grass seeds and burrs
• Indoor cats may need more regular nail trimming

Brushing your cat

Whether your cat has long, medium or short hair will influence the type of brush they’ll need – ask your pet health professional for advice on choosing the right brush.

• Long-haired breeds will typically need more brushing than short-haired breeds and may even require daily brushing to prevent tangles
• Focus on areas your cat finds hard to reach – armpits, belly, under the neck, behind the ears and behind their legs
• If your cat’s hair is lightly tangled you may be able to gently brush it out but more tangled or matted hair must be cut out to avoid causing pain

Be careful when grooming with sharp objects like scissors and clippers – professional grooming offered by vet clinics or groomers is a good alternative option.

Up close and personal

The grooming process is a good time to take a closer look at your cat’s skin and ears. External parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites can cause discomfort or itchiness, and even transfer disease or other parasites like tapeworm.

Start by running your fingers through your cat’s coat, feeling their skin for anything unusual – look further by parting the coat for signs of sores, rashes, bald spots, dry or flaky skin, redness and parasites.

Checking your cat’s ears

Also look out for the following changes:

• The insides of their ears appear moist or reddened
• The ears contain more or different discharge than usual (a little wax is normal)
• They react when you examine their ears when usually they’d tolerate it
• Their ears smell or your cat shakes their head or scratches at their ears

Has your cat’s coat lost its shine?

A dull coat or dry and flaky skin may be caused by arthritis or age, poor diet, allergies, weight problems, skin infections, diabetes or hyperthyroidism, or parasites.

If you notice any changes in the appearance of your cat’s skin or coat, or you are concerned about their ears, talk to your vet.

Should you bathe your cat?

We understand that something as simple as being outside in the mud and rain can turn your cat or kitten into a moggy mess. While many cats enjoy playing with running taps or wet shower floors, they don’t all like to be bathed.

Fortunately, many cats will only ever need a bath if their coat becomes very dirty, if they’re not able to groom themselves or if they have a skin disease that requires medicated shampoo.

If bathing is started at a young age and is a positive experience, many cats will tolerate being bathed.

How to bathe your cat

Before you start, ensure you have everything you need including someone to help you hold your cat:

• Pour warm water over their coat
• Gently rub in a soap-free shampoo – be careful to avoid their eyes, mouth and inside their ears
• Rinse and gently dry them with a towel
• To stop your cat ‘escaping’ during bath time simply change the way they’re facing from time to time – this makes them re-plan their ‘escape’
• Reward good behaviour with praise, affection and treats

A warm, wet face washer is a great alternative to a bath. Place the washer in the palm of your hand and gently wipe it across the coat of your cat – most cats will tolerate this as it’s a similar sensation to being groomed by another cat.