Cat lovers especially enjoy their
pets' penchant for cleanliness. Cats
are extremely fastidious groomers,
spending a large amount of their
time washing. Because of this,
cat owners often think their pets
require no additional grooming.
However, even short-haired cats
can benefit from regular grooming.
Gentle brushing is key. It
helps clean the fur, distributes
natural oils to moisturize
the skin and coat, reduces
hairballs, results in less hair for you to vacuum up, and lets
you bond with your cat. Grooming is essential for obese or
arthritic cats who can no longer clean themselves properly.
Grooming is a very natural part of a cat's life. Kittens are
washed by their mother, and adult cats socialize by grooming
each other. It is generally easiest to acclimate cats to grooming
when they are young, so try to start as soon as possible. Pick
a time when your kitten is naturally sleepy, such as when he is
well-fed and has just finished a rousing play session. Let him
lay on your lap, and gently stroke him with a soft, short-bristled
brush, extending the length of time as he gets used to it.
If your cat is apprehensive about being brushed, try
spraying the brush with Feliway before brushing.
Or, try the Love Glove which lets you stroke
away loose hair while your cat barely notices.
For short-haired cats, a simple slicker brush may
be the only grooming tool you need. Longer-haired cats often
have a thick undercoat that needs more attention. Matbreakers
are effective at removing tangled hair. Undercoat grooming
tools like the FURminator® gently remove excess
loose hair from the undercoat, and help keep new mats from
forming. Explore a variety of grooming tools for the solutions you need to speed and simplify grooming, while making it as stress-free as possible for your cat.
Grooming sessions also give you a good opportunity to
gently examine your cat's ears and mouth, as well as her
overall skin condition. Once your cat is accustomed to being
groomed, you will both enjoy spending this time together.
