Cats are not known for enjoying being groomed. Most cats really just want to be petted a little bit once in a while and then left alone to sleep in a sunny spot on the floor. This can lead to issues if you have a cat with long hair that really does need to be groomed regularly. Cats also need to have their claws trimmed regularly, and you will want to be sure that you can attend to this need as well.
Grooming Your Cat at Home Made Simple
Grooming your cat at home in Monroeville, PA can be easier than you might think. There are some easy ways to make your grooming process more straightforward and less stressful for both you and your cat. When you use these tips, you will be able to groom your feline friend without stress, fighting, and scratches.
1. Start Young
If you have a kitten, you need to start grooming them as soon as possible so that they are used to this process. Brush them, trim nails, and even bathe them. This will help you to be able to keep them clean, happy, and healthy when they are older and harder to contain.
When you start training your kitten young, you will be able to teach them that grooming is not stressful. This is often why cats are so upset about being groomed. They think that they need to be scared, but they really don’t. Teaching them young can make the process much more pleasant for everyone.
2. Wrap in a Towel
When you need to trim claws, you can wrap your cat up in a towel so that they cannot struggle and get upset. The struggling and panicking process that cats might experience related to fear about having their claws trimmed is often preventable by bundling them up. They will feel safe and secure when they are wrapped in their towel, and you will be able to work on their nails and other grooming needs with ease.
Some cats struggle too much for this to be a viable solution at first, so you might need to teach them to be wrapped in a towel first without adding any grooming to the mix. Keeping your cat from fearing the process of being handled will help a lot. Once your cat is used to being wrapped in a towel, you can easily use this comforting technique to keep them under control when you are doing things like trimming their nails.
3. Brush Gently and Use the Right Brush
Invest in a quality cat grooming brush that is made for the coat length that your cat has. When you have the right tools, you will be sure that your cat is not uncomfortable and angry about being groomed. Brush gently and carefully so that you do not pull your cat’s hair. You will want them to be sure that you are not going to hurt them.
Trim out mats carefully with grooming scissors. You will not want to use something like sewing scissors for this part of your grooming needs. You could easily cut them or yourself when you are not working with the right grooming scissors. Being sure that you are grooming carefully and with the right tools can make all the difference in your cat’s willingness to be groomed.
4. Bathe Once Every Few Months
If your cat has been trained to be bathed, you will want to make sure to wash them at least every couple of months. Long-haired cats might need to be washed more often. You will want to use a gentle shampoo made for cats and to keep the soap from getting into their eyes or mouth. Bathe in a shower where they will not have to stand in water or a shallow sink where they will not have to swim around.
Bathing can be very good for your cat’s skin and coat, and it can make it so much easier to brush them and keep them mat-free. Bathing is a really great thing to teach your cat about, and you will be glad that you took the time to prepare them for this necessary grooming process.
5. Use Rewards
Cats are just like dogs in that they love treats. You can use the treats as a rewarding motivator to help motivate your cat to love being groomed. Small cat treats can be a big motivator for this process, and your cat will learn to accept grooming as just part of getting a yummy snack. Cat treats come in all shapes and sizes, so there is the perfect snack out there for you and your cat.
You can reward for all kinds of things that need to be done during the grooming process, like trimming claws, brushing, or bathing. Treats can be a great motivator for some cats, and you might have a lot of luck with this technique.
Cat Grooming Doesn’t Have to be Stressful
Grooming your cat can be painless and enjoyable for both of you. You and your cat can work through tough grooming training with treats and patience. You will be able to teach your cat to love being groomed, and you will be so glad that you can trim your cat’s claws, brush their coat, or even bathe them as needed.
Cat grooming is important for your cat’s health and your cat will thank you for taking the time to provide this care. Cats might think that they do not want to be groomed or have their claws trimmed, but almost all cats learn to love the grooming process. Being brushed, petted, and bathed can actually be enjoyable for cats once they learn not to panic about the process. Being patient with your cat and training them to be groomed young can make a big difference in your cat care routine.