A cat’s fur is a vital part of their appearance and a healthy coat is a key indicator of health. However, some cats may have medical conditions that make it difficult or even impossible for them to groom themselves effectively.
In these cases, you need to take special care when grooming your pet. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can follow to keep your cat’s coat in tip-top condition!
Brushing
Brushing, or combing, your cat’s fur is an important part of caring for them. It helps keep their coat and skin healthy by removing dead hair, dander, and dirt. It also encourages better blood circulation and keeps their coat tangle-free.
Depending on your cat’s hair length, it can take you a few minutes to brush them once or twice a week (short-haired cats need less frequent brushing). Regular brushing also helps prevent matts and painful knots from forming.
If your cat is prone to mats, you might want to invest in a de-matting brush. This dual-sided brush has longer metal teeth on one side to comb through stubborn knots, and shorter metal teeth on the other side to loosen mats.
Trimming
Grooming the fur of a cat is a good way to keep excess hair at bay and prevent tangles, mats, and excess shedding. It also helps prevent the buildup of hairballs which can clog the litter tray and cause trouble.
The hair of cats is a vital part of their integumentary system. It helps regulate their body temperature, provides insulation from the elements, and protects internal organs.
Cats have four distinct types of hair: down, awn, guard, and vibrissae (whiskers). Down is soft, silky hair that forms a thick undercoat to insulate a cat’s body from inclement weather and provide warmth.
The down coat is particularly important in the summer, when it acts as a cool-weather layer to help reduce heat loss and make a cat cooler. It can also be used to help conceal a cat from predators.
Bathing
Bathing, or combing, your cat’s hair is an important part of keeping her coat healthy. It helps to remove excess fur, tangles and knots and can keep her coat looking great.
However, not every cat likes water – so you should only do this when it’s the right time and your pet is calm. If they’re too alert or irritable, things can quickly get out of control and go south.
So, before bathing your cat, give them plenty of playtime to tire them out. This will make them less likely to escape the bathroom or try to hide from you when they’re wet.
When you’re ready to bathe your cat, fill a sink or bathtub with lukewarm water. Ask a family member to hold your pet while you pour the water on their back. Apply the shampoo, letting it lather and gently scrub the fur. After the shampoo has had time to soak in, rinse your cat off.
Clipping
Clipping, or combing, your cat’s hair is a necessary part of caring for them. It is a great way to prevent matted fur and keep their coat healthy.
Getting the right comb for your cat can make this job easier and more enjoyable. A grooming comb is made with wide teeth to avoid discomfort when pulling on long, thick fur.
It can also help you to remove clumps of dead hair and skin that build up in your cat’s fur. These are known as mats and can be very painful to your pet.
A greyhound comb or other gentle, wide-toothed comb can be used to de-mat your cat’s coat. Start by using the end of the comb to pick out the mats, starting with the top of the fur and working down into it. Repeat this process until the clumps are gone.