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Cat Grooming
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Cat grooming is not a subject that most cat owners give much thought to but as we all know, cats spend a great deal of their time licking their paws and rubbing them across their face or getting into unlikely positions in order to lick their backs, chests and other parts that we won't mention here. Collectively, this activity is known as grooming.
Most cats, particularly the short haired breeds can manage to groom themselves and won't suffer for it but the longer haired varieties may need some help.
The grooming process is very important as it not only keeps the cat clean but helps remove loose hair from your cat's body. Without combing, a lot of this hair would end up in your cat's stomach. Since hair is not easily digestible, it often forms hairballs and while cats can sometimes cough up hairballs, they can clog the intestinal tract, leading to all sorts of health problems. In addition, grooming can remove dirt and debris from your cat's coat and is also a great chance to look out for fleas and ticks.
If you think that your cat will hate being brushed, you may be amazed at how much he actually relishes the experience. Naturally, it is much simpler to get your cat used to grooming equipment when he is still a young kitten.
Method: Very lightly brush or comb over your cat's coat, following the lie of the fur from the neck to the tail. Never brush against the lie of the fur as most cat's dislike this intensely. If he begins to get irritable, stop brushing him and play with him for a few minutes until he is relaxed. Do not groom his face or paws with the brush or comb, as most cats do not like this.
For cats who do not like to be brushed, you can try a different grooming tool, the grooming glove. While your cat is happily enjoying a nice, luxurious kitty massage, the glove is working to remove loose hair and debris, just as a brush would do. Your cat should not mind having his face groomed with a glove, but he may still object to having his paws groomed.
While you are brushing your cat's coat, be sure you take the time to check out his eyes and ears. His eyes should be clear and bright, without matter in their corners. His ears should be clean and pink. Excess dirt in a cat's ears can be a sign of ear mites. These mites can actually cause the ears to shrivel up and your cat can lose his hearing, so be sure to take your pet to the vet if you suspect mites.
Grooming very long haired cats can be quite difficult as their coats can become matted, if left unattended for too long. If your cat will submit to you cutting away the matted parts, then that would be preferable. If he won't stay still long enough for that, you may need to take the cat to a professional animal beautician or even to the vet, if he requires sedation. However, this is rather extreme. If you keep an eye on your cat and try to keep his fur free of tangles, then no more drastic treatment should be needed.
Cat grooming may seem as though it can be left up to the cat, but human owners have a responsibility too, to make sure that their cats' coats are kept in good condition.
Liz Canham is the owner (or perhaps servant) of four cats currently and has had cats in the family all her life. To take advantage of her wide experience in the care and training of cats and kittens, click here to visit her website, The Cat Lover.
Article submitted Saturday, December 19, 2009 & read 95 times.
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