The sun is shining and the days are getting longer, but you have noticed more and more that your kitty is looking a little scruffy these days.
Unlike dogs, most cats do not need to be fully groomed very often as they are quite clean by nature and like to take on that task themselves; however, should your kitty need a little extra help, it is important to know what you can do to make them look their best.
Brush their coat
Be sure to have the right type of brush for your cat’s fur, as some can have either long or short hair. By proactively brushing your cat on a regular basis, you can help maintain their beautiful looking fur over a long period of time. Brushing also helps remove loose hair, dirt and debris that your cat may not be able to remove themself. If you notice your cat is nervous or upset while you try to brush them, try praising and providing treats to calm them down. It is also a good idea to try to brush them when both of you are in a comfortable position, as to not make it more restricting than it needs to be.
Trim where necessary
Most cats don’t need haircuts very frequently, which is why you shouldn’t have to worry about doing a full grooming routine on your cat; however, you should be prepared to trim certain areas around their paws or if there are any matts forming as they can become painful for your pet. If you feel confident in cutting nails, this is the time to do it. Investing in a good set of clippers designed for cats is essential to make this as easy as possible on both of you. But, don’t worry, if you aren’t comfortable with the idea of cutting nails, that’s OK too. You can always seek outside help from a groomer or veterinarian to get this done safely.
Bath
Should your feline friend get into something less than appealing, having the necessary products on hand to give a bath is ideal. The last thing you would want to do is be scrambling to find something to wash them with should they accidentally get into the garbage or track mud all throughout your house. Using lukewarm water in your bathtub, gently rise your cat and massage cat shampoo into their fur before rinsing thoroughly with the shower hand piece or cup. Be cautious of scratching and escape attempts if they aren’t very fond of the water. Once clean, towel dry your cat and if they allow, lightly blow dry their hair on a cool setting to ensure all of all of the hair dries properly.
Grooming your cat at home can be a very simple task, as long as you take care and allow your cat time to get comfortable with what you are doing. Be sure to treat them to a special Snappy Tom meal afterward, just to show them that extra bit of love they deserve.