Groom Your Cat at Home

Brushing

Although cats come with their own set of grooming tools—tongue and teeth—brushing helps to keep their coat lush and gets rid of dirt, grease, and dead hair. Brushing can also be a practical way for the two of you to bond!

Use a cat-specific metal comb or rubber brush, once or twice a week for short hair—but if they’re a longhair breed or shedding a lot, you might want to create a daily routine.

Introduce the brush slowly and gently, preferably when they’re sleeping or sitting in your lap. Start brushing lightly and work up to a stroke that’s firm enough to remove debris.

Let your kitty know they’re doing a great job! Give praise (or even treats) as you brush.

Bathing

While it’s generally accepted that ‘cats hate water,’ this might not always be the case—you might find that your cat is receptive to a warm, gentle bath (although ‘enthusiastic’ might be a stretch). Even if they have trouble with water, your cat will still need the occasional bath, especially if they manage to roll in something sticky…or stinky…so it’s important that you learn how to bathe a cat.

Try to minimize kitty’s stress during bath time:
• Bathe when they’re in a mellow mood
• Brush beforehand, and consider placing a bit of cotton in their ears so they don’t get waterlogged
• Put a rubber bathmat in the sink or tub for grip and stability

When you’re ready to go, fill the sink or bath with 3-4 inches of lukewarm water and use a hand-held spray hose, pitcher, or cup to gently cover with water. Don’t pour or spray water directly to the eyes, nose, or ears.

Massage your cat with the directed amount of cat shampoo, avoiding her face, ears, and eyes. Rinse off thoroughly before wiping their face with a moist washcloth.

Wrap kitty in a large towel and let her dry in a warm place. (You can try using a hair dryer on the lowest setting if your cat doesn’t mind.)

Again, praise and treats for the brave kitty! 

Trimming Fur

Most cats won’t need their fur clipped or trimmed. But long hair can get matted, and in some cases lead to health issues. Only trim or clip your kitty’s fur if it’s absolutely necessary—and even then, consider allowing a professional groomer to do the trimming.

Claw Clipping

This one can be a real struggle, especially when doing it for the first time. The feeling of metallic clippers against your cat’s claws will most likely feel foreign and unsettling. It may startle your cat, causing them to scratch or thrash about.

Prepare your cat a few days beforehand by constantly touching her paws. Massage or press each toe. If they resist, use treats as a reward every time they cooperate.

Some other pointers to remember when clipping your cat’s nails:
• Be sure to use high-quality cat nail scissors
• Only clip the white tip of your cat’s nail. Don’t go beyond the point where the nail starts to curl, as the pink area of your cat’s nail is rich in blood vessels. Avoid!
• If the nail does start to bleed, apply styptic powder to encourage blood clotting and healing

The best way to learn the proper clipping technique, and whether it’s necessary for your cat, is by consulting your vet. 

While You’re There… Check for skin problems.

Whenever you brush, clip, or bathe your cat, keep an eye out for bumps, bald spots, or cuts. They can be telltale signs of health problems, allergies or stress. If you do find anything weird, check in with your vet as soon as you can.

Monitor your cat’s ears.

As you’re grooming in between routine vet checkups, do your own inspection of their ears. Look for wax, debris, or infection. Contact your vet if you notice any discharge, caked wax, redness, swelling, bleeding, or unpleasant odor.

Remember—It’s ‘grooming’ not ‘glooming’!

It sounds like a lot to manage, but grooming can be fun! Focus on the bonding aspect and try to keep it fun for both of you, with encouragement and treats. It’s not just about cleaning, it’s about keeping your cat healthy–and ultimately, a healthy cat is a happy cat.