If performed properly, the grooming of a cat can be painless, quick and a strong bonding experience.
Ideally, the grooming of a cat should begin when it is just a kitten.
If it is begun early enough, it can easily become part of a regular routine.
If your pet is not comfortable being groomed, do not force the sessions.
Make this a very short period of time in the beginning and slowly lengthen them as enjoyment begins to be seen and then increase.
Groom just one part of its body one day and then the next day groom another part and so on until the entire body has been covered.
When combing, try to comb for a few seconds and stop to scratch its favorite areas to provide some sort of comfort.
A thorough and proper cat grooming involves many steps, including brushing, bathing and nail clipping Brushing Regular brushing with either a comb or a brush will help in keeping the hair in its best condition by ridding it of dirt, spreading natural oils through the coat, preventing tangles and keeping the skin clean and free of irritants.
If working with short hair, it only needs to be brushed once a week.
If long hair, it will need to be brushed every day.
Bathing There are many great benefits from regular baths and are sometimes given more often if oil, grease, stickiness or smell is an issue.
A mild and gentle shampoo should only be used.
A cat should be placed gently but quickly in the water while talking to it calmly.
It needs to be given a few minutes to be able to relax while petting it in the water.
It must be given time to realize that no harm will be done to it.
If afraid of a sprayer, a large cup can be used to pour water.
Some are known to do better while sitting in a couple of inches or water while others barely like to get wet at all.
Remember to place cotton balls inside the ears to prevent water from getting into them.
Nail Clipping The feet are something that is not usually paid much attention to until someone is scratched by them.
Most all animals will get very upset with this part of grooming; therefore, it is necessary to get it used to having its feet handled before attempting to groom them with nail clipping.
Massaging the feet from time to time will change its behavior about nail clipping in about a week or two.
High quality, sharp nail scissors should be used to clip off the white tip of the nail, just to the point where the nail begins to curl over.
It is important to avoid the vein running through the nail, or the quick.
This can be seen straight through the nail.