One of the best things about our feline buddies is the fact that they are so clean. Fluffy will take time out of her busy napping schedule every day to clean herself and keep her fur looking soft and clean. However, your furball may still need a bit of help with her beauty regime. A Urbana, IL vet offers some advice on grooming Fluffy in this article.
Brush Regularly
Brushing is really the main thing you’ll need to do for Fluffy in this area. Brushing benefits kitties in a few ways. First, it removes dead hair and dander from their coats. This will keep your furball more comfortable in both hot and cold weather. It will also help protect her from hairballs, since you’ll be removing that fur before she swallows it. It’s also good for her circulation! The main thing is to time it right. Wait until your feline friend is feeling relaxed. If she’s a lap cat, just brush her when she’s relaxing on you. Brush gently, going in the direction of her fur. When your cute pet decides she has had enough, don’t fight her. Just let her go and try again another day.
Bathe With Caution
This isn’t just a warning for your physical safety. You can safely bathe (some) cats without ending up in the ER, though we do recommend wearing jeans and long sleeves for protection against those claws. The main danger is of overbathing your kitty. If you shampoo your feline pal too often, you could end up stripping the oils from her coat. This could leave her looking dry and even a little frizzy.
If you do bathe Fluffy, use just a few inches of warm (not hot) water, and a shampoo made just for cats. Take care not to get any suds in your furry friend’s eyes, ears, nose, or mouth! You may just want to clean her head with a washcloth.
Nails
Cats are pretty self sufficient when it comes to nail care. Fluffy should have a scratching post. However, if you want to, you can clip your furry pal’s nails. Regular nail clippers will be fine. We don’t recommend doing this for cats that go outdoors, though, as they need their nails for defending themselves. Kitties also often escape danger by climbing trees.
As your Urbana, IL animal clinic, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime!
