Basic Grooming Tips For Your Kitty

If you have a cat, you might be aware of their preferring tidiness like Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S show. In fact, felines are pretty serious and self-sufficient when it comes to grooming themselves. Nonetheless, they need a hand from their human friends to fix their matted furs and trim their nails. Let’s see how you can give your cat proper grooming.

Brushing and Untangling Mats

Brushing your feline friend is one of the forms of petting and communicating with her. It removes excess hair which she would otherwise swallow, leading to hairballs and pain. Following are the proper ways to brush your kitty.

• Before you begin, make sure your cat is ready for it. You don’t want your kitty to snap at you. Initially, make her comfortable by stroking her chin and gently brush her fur while untangling the mats. Use a wide-toothed comb or mitt brush, whatever suits your cat’s skin the best.
• You can use your fingers as well, if the mats are way too knotted. Reach for the base of mats and start untangling the matted fur. Go for a de-matting brush and de-tangling spray for the stubborn mats.
• Sectioning the fur is a good idea. It saves you from the hassle and makes brushing easy for you and your kitty. However, if the mats are badly tangled, you might have to take a trip to a professional groomer.
• Remember, your cat’s skin is sensitive. Do not, at any costs use a scissor or razor on her fur.

Bathing

While your cat takes care of most of her grooming, if the fur gets way too dirty, has fleas or dandruff, you might have to bathe her. Here’s how you bathe your kitty.

• Find the perfect timing for your cat’s bathing and schedule it accordingly. Usually, the right time is, when your cat is relaxed or cheerful. You may have to trim her claws before bathing her.
• Place your cat in a sink or tub partially filled with water. Ensure that she doesn’t slip; for which you can place a rubber mat underneath the tub. Make sure the water is lukewarm and never hot.
• Go for a shampoo formulated for cats only. Other shampoos might harm her instead of doing good. Lather up her body but do spare her face, especially her eyes and ears.
• Rinse off the excess shampoo thoroughly. Being done with that, wrap her with a towel. Wiper her face gently. You can brush off the loose hairs after that.

Trimming Nails

Nail clippers might scare off your cat but it is essential to trim her nails nonetheless. While it is advised to introduce her to nail clipping when she’s a kitten, but even if you don’t, you can still make it a less painful experience for her. Let’s see how.

• Make your kitty sit still in your lap. It is preferable if she’s in a relaxed or just had her meals and is tired. Be gentle and careful while taking her paw and gently press her pad to make her nails extend.
• After she’s comfortable enough, you can start clipping the white part of her claw. Make sure you stay away from the pink part (known as quick). If your cat resists the process, do not force or rather give her a small treat to distract her attention.
• Never rush the nail clipping process. If she’s not being cooperative, you can take her to a professional groomer.

While your kitty is well equipped to take care of her grooming, you should give her a hand for her good health and hygiene. Not only will it benefit her, it will strengthen your bond with her. It may be tough at first, but you’ll get good at it eventually.