How To Groom Your Cat

Assemble your tools. A number of grooming tools for cats are available, from soft gloves to hard bristle brushes. Here are some of the options to choose from:

• Rubberized brushes like Zoom Groom products have soft rubber nubbins and flexible bodies. These brushes are great for pulling out dead hair, and most cats love them.
• Slicker brushes have very fine teeth mounted on a cushion back. They stimulate bloodflow to the skin, pull out loose hair, and smooth your cat's coat.
• Flea combs are very fine-toothed combs which can be used both to control fleas and to tease out mats and tangles.
• Grooming gloves are designed to be worn on the hand and rubbed along your cat's body.
• Mat removing combs and brushes are specifically designed to remove matted hair.
• Shedding blades are designed to pull out dead hair with their serrated edges during the shedding phase.
• Soft bristle brushes are extremely gentle brushes which are suitable for older cats and for the end of a grooming session.

Get your cat and start brushing. Most cats enjoy being groomed, especially if you make it into a positive experience. Make sure to select an area of the house for grooming that your cat feels comfortable in, and pay attention to his or her mood, especially if you are trying out new brushes. If your cat seems upset or uncomfortable, ease back with a grooming tool or stop using it altogether.

If your cat has mats, remove them first, so that other grooming tools will not snag on them. Working from the end of the mat up, gently tease out the tangles. Remember that this can be uncomfortable for your cat, so work slowly and gently.

After mat removal, you can proceed to the next stage, using coarse brushes to pull out dead hair and to elimate minor tangles. Make sure to stop to pet your cat now and then, and if he or she seems anxious, offer a veterinarian-approved treat.

After coarse brushing, you can use a slicker brush, soft brush, or grooming glove to smooth out your cat's coat, removing any remaining loose hair. This phase is a good time to check your cat's body for anything unusual, such as lumps and cuts.

At the end of the brushing phase, you should pat your cat and offer verbal encouragement, along with a treat.

Grooming for flea control. Some pet owners have a great deal of success with natural flea control programs, most of which revolve around using a flea comb on a regular basis. If you are grooming for flea control, you will need a flea comb, a bowl of warm, soapy water to dip it in, and a towel.

As you groom your cat, look out for fleas and flea eggs. If you spot any, dip the flea comb in the water to kill the fleas and loosen the eggs.Wipe the flea comb on the towel to dry it, and repeat the process until all of the cat's coat has been brushed out. Pay special attention to the neck and belly, where fleas like to lurk.Once the grooming is over, dump the soapy water in the toilet and flush it.

Grooming for flea control often requires a daily grooming at first, which can be stepped back as you get the fleas under your control.

Spot treatments. You may notice spots or marks on your cat during the brushing phase. Once he or she has been brushed, use a soft towel dipped in warm water and a pinch of pet shampoo to work out any spots you notice, and make sure to use a fresh towel dipped in warm water to work all of the pet shampoo out before drying.

If your cat has matter around his or her eyes, take a washcloth, dip it in warm water, and gently apply it to the area around the eyes to remove any crust.

Matter in the ears can be removed with a Q-tip, but watch out for grainy matter or a large buildup, which can indicate an infestation with ear mites.