Cat Grooming SuppliesThe general grooming routine for your kitty should include the following.
Brushing or combing A brush or comb may be one of the most important cat grooming supplies. Your cat’s coat should be brushed at least once a week for shorthaired cats and every other day for longhaired cats. Brushing keeps the coat clean and healthy by stimulating glands in cat’s skin. Use a wide-tooth comb first, and then brush again with a finer tooth comb. This way you will help to remove the shedding from the cat’s undercoat as well as brushing the surface of his fur. While you are brushing your cat, check for problems like fleas, ticks, skin irritations or matted fur. If you find any of these problems, talk to your vet about proper treatment. Brushing teeth Many cat owners never think of a toothbrush as one of the basic cat grooming supplies they should have on hand. But if you want your cat to stay as healthy as possible, brush his teeth on a regular basis. Cats’ teeth usually accumulate a lot of tartar and buildup, which can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease just like it can in people. A cat with periodontal disease is susceptible to other problems as well. Bacteria can get into the cat’s bloodstream through diseased tissue in the cat’s mouth and infect organs such as the heart and kidneys. You can and should brush your cat’s teeth at least once a week with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for cats. While many cats are not thrilled about having their teeth brushed, it is an important part of overall care. Your veterinarian can give you some tips on how to make the experience comfortable for both you and your cat. In addition to brushing his teeth, cats should have their teeth cleaned professionally, just like people do, at least once a year. In addition, be sure to give your cat dry food or tartar control treats to minimize the amount of plaque build up in the first place. Our cats’ favorite tartar control treats are Whisker Lickins. It is amazing how quickly a cat hiding in the attic will appear if one of us yells, “Whisker Lickins!”
Clipping Nails You should clip your cat’s nails at least once a month. If you don’t feel confident that you can do this yourself, you can bring her to your vet’s office and have a technician clip her nails for you. This usually costs only a few dollars. If you want to clip your cat’s nails yourself, practice on a toothpick to get a feel for what it will be like to cut your cat’s nails. Toothpicks and cat claws have a similar feel to them. Be careful not to cut the pink part of the nail (called the quick) as this can be painful and cause bleeding. You should use nail clippers designed for cats. Choose the type with a guard to prevent you from cutting too low.
Ears Take a look at your cat’s eyes and ears every few weeks to be sure they are free of dirt or (in the case of ears) wax buildup. You can use a cotton ball and kitty ear cleaner to remove wax from the outer ear. If wax builds up inside the cat’s ear canal, however, it should be cleaned professionally. Bathing Shampoo is often another product that is overlooked by cat owners when they shop for cat grooming supplies. In general, cats do not to be bathed, but bathing them from time to time can help keep their fur shiny and fluffy. Some cats will tolerate being bathed and some will not. If you want a very clean kitty but you’re not sure what she’ll think of having a bath, start by putting her in a large sink and running water next to her. You can get kittens used to the idea of being bathed by giving them water-only baths to start. Once you are sure your cat will tolerate getting wet, you can introduce a mild cat shampoo. Alternatively, if your cat is very skittish about being bathed, you can use pet wipes to clean her fur instead. Back to All About Cats Home Page
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