Is Cat Grooming Safe At Home? Tips on Bathing

September 23, 2011 | Healthy Cat | |

Cat Grooming Tips

Cat grooming largely depends on the breed of the pet. Persian cats may require hours of cutting and trimming to achieve the ideal look. Other cats with fluffy hair will need regular grooming, or else they may look like mats lying on the floor. Extremely long hair may also attract dusts and other allergens, which can give pet owners a bad case of rhinitis. Cats may also suffer from occasional tangles from their long hairs, which may be painful.

Worse, these may even tear the cat’s hide. Regular grooming is necessary whether the cat has short or long hair. Cats are fastidious when it comes to their own hygiene. These pets use their mouth and set of teeth to clean their fur. Too much self-grooming may even lead to the formation of hairballs, and these may gather and clump in the stomach or intestines. It will be very difficult for inexperienced pet owners to groom their cats, as these pets may find the act irritating. However, grooming done by pet owners is generally much safer.

 Tips On Cat Grooming At Home

Even if pet grooming services are consulted weekly or monthly, pet owners must know how to groom their cats with the use of tools such as brush and a simple pair of scissors.

  • Use metal combs. There are combs available in stainless steel. These should be wide-toothed to aid in untangling the pet cat’s hair.
  • Use a brush with rounded bristles. These mimic the buds present on the cat’s tongue.
    Cats enjoy the friction from these rounded bristles. If the cat finds the brush comfortable, it is most likely that the cat will associate grooming to relaxation.
  • Flea comb. If the pet has been out for quite some time, or can be seen to scratch occasionally, it may be suffering from flea infestation. Flea combs with narrow teeth can be used to remove the pests.
  • Make sure the cat is having fun. Pet owners are advised to play with their cats during the whole process. Regular petting may also greatly benefit in improving the cat’s behavior.

Below Are Some Tips For Bathing Your Pet Cats

Cats are infamously hydrophobic. This means that felines do not enjoy being soaked in water. However, pet cats, no matter how domesticated, are still capable of getting themselves dirty. Pet owners must first calm the cat while petting, and restrain the paws while putting the cat into the water. Find below some useful tips:

  • Do not pour water over the cat’s ears. Cats do not like it when their heads get wet. To cleanse the head, a small amount of baby shampoo can be placed on a wash cloth, and spread around the parts.
  • Rinse the cat by filling the sink with 2 inches of water. Pet owners must keep rinsing until no residue is noted.

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