Caring for your cat doesn’t only mean protecting them from poisons or toxins. It also means keeping them well-groomed. Basic cat grooming is one of the best ways to keep your cat clean and healthy. Cats do clean themselves, but they also love the personal touch of being brushed by you.

Shedding

Your cat may have long or short hair but regardless of the hair length, your cat will shed hair. Cats love to clean themselves and they give themselves a bath by licking their fur. This means that your cat may swallow some of the loose hair. Some cats eventually cough out these hair balls. Others do not and clumps of swallowed hair can block your cat’s bowels and cause death.

The best solution is to regularly have brushing sessions with your cat. Buy an assortment of brushes with a variety of shapes and sizes for impromptu brushing treats. Make sure that the first brushing session is a pleasant one, so your cat will look forward to it.

Hair mats and tangles can be painful for your cat if you immediately use brushes with stiff metal tines. Use a brush with soft bristles when brushing for the first time. Comb in the direction of your cat’s hair so that you do not injure or hurt your cat. You can later progress to metal brushes and combs if necessary, when all the  tangles and mats are out and when your cat is already comfortable with grooming sessions.

Nail Clipping

Many cat owners clip their cats nails to prevent accidental scratches on humans and furniture. Claw clipping however, may also help prevent your cat from getting injured through accidental snags. Clipping should then be done once or twice a month or as needed. Human clippers may be used but not scissors. It is advisable however to purchase specially made scissor style cat clippers.

Talk to your cat in gentle tones as you lay her on a clear surface or under your arm. Squeeze the paw or each toe with your thumb and index finger to make the claws come out. Carefully but swiftly clip each claw once. Be careful that you do not clip the pink toe veins called the quick. This will cause bleeding and pain to your cat. If you do accidentally clip a vein, dab some styptic powder on the injured part. This is covered in more detail in the book Toxic to Cats!

Bathing

Cats prefer to bathe themselves by licking their fur, but on the odd occasion your cat may need a little help to get rid of fleas and fur messes.

Brush your cat before bathing. Use a large, wide basin and water that is not too cold or too hot. Apply some veterinarian recommended pet shampoo and make sure to rinse thoroughly. Dry with a warm, fluffy towel. You may use a blow dryer after toweling her off, but only if your cat is not scared. Brush or comb her fur only if you are sure your cat has calmed down from the bathing experience.