Cat Grooming Tips

Domestication of cats is thought to have started in ancient Egypt, where they were known as Mau. The cats killed pests in the crop fields and were even known to battle the mighty cobra, these were the few qualities that led to the domestication of cats. In Egyptian and other ancient polytheistic cultures, the cats were revered animals and were believed to ward off evil spirits. They were greatly cared for and statues of cats laden with diamond ornaments were found in some Egyptian tombs. Modern-day cats are kept as pets and are playful and wonderful companions for children and seniors alike. Different cat breeds have some specific grooming needs, getting acquainted with a few tips will help you better care for your pet cat.

One of the common problems that a pet owner faces is to deal with ticks on cats, these ticks can be very tricky to deal with and sometimes can lead to health complication in your pet cat. There are different types of cats and some have long hair and the chances of mats is high if regular grooming is not done. The problem of mats is also faced by cat owners who have cats with short hair. Some cats might look clean on the first look, but this can be misleading because on close observation you might encounter long nails which can pose a problem for other cat as well as the people around it.

Mats: Cats who have long flowing hair like the Persian cat, face a problem with tangled hair which can make the cat look ugly and can cause health issues. While planning to groom your cat make sure you have mat removing hair brushes and spray. Buy a couple of steel close toothbrushes that can take care of the messiest of mats on your cat's fur. It is okay to restrain your cat while grooming. Some owners do their grooming outdoors in the backyard. They say that it prevents loose hair from littering the house and the cats stay steady because they are distracted by the trees and birds outside. One technique is to start with the tail, then do the back, slowly moving ahead.

Nails: If you have children around the house, a cat without long grown nails can be the safest. Some cats are very powerful and can even hurt adults and most times unintentionally, so keep a pair of sharp nail clippers or scissors handy. Most animals do not like grooming, so make sure you coax your cat into a nail clipping session. Put a fluffy pillow under its toes and massage its toes so that it is ready to endure a little discomfort when you start clipping the nails. One thing to remember is to cut the nail at the point it starts to curve; if you make a deep cut your cat might bleed. Some owners prefer declawing cats to regular clipping sessions, both these techniques have their pros and cons.

Hair: Uneven growth of hair or over grown hair can make your beautiful cat look mangy and unclean. Overgrown hair are also unhygienic and can be welcoming to parasites like cat fleas that can cause discomfort and health problems for the cat. Buy electric or battery operated trimmers which have adjustable teeth to suit the different density hair on your cat. Use strokes that go from top to bottom, be gentle with your cat and if possible give it treats by taking a break in your trimming session as a part of your cat care routine.

Use of cotton balls and over the counter solutions to clean the eyes of your cat can make it look beautiful. While shampooing your cat, ensure that you use a mat in your sink or bathtub to provide secure footing for your cat.