Watch How To Groom Your Cat Properly

Most cats love to be brushed especially if this is developed from an early age.
Keep your first grooming sessions short – only 5 to 10 minutes – and gradually increase your time until your pet is used to the routine.
Consistent brushing stops hair from matting, removes loose fur and reduces the risk of irritating hairballs caused by excessive self-grooming.
A Furminator is a great way to deshed hair from your cat’s coat.
How you should groom your cat depends on their coat and whether they have long or short hair.
Short haired breeds need to be brushed at least once a week with a bristle brush or slicker brush.
For the best results on your long haired cat, use a metal comb first and work it from front to back within the line of the fur. Loose fur can then be removed with a slicker brush or a rubber mitt. We recommend daily brushing for long-haired cats.

Short haired breeds do not need to be brushed every day, but at least once a week will help maintain your cat’s coat and keep it healthy.
To check for fleas and ticks in short haired cats, brush using a fine-toothed comb in the direction of the hair and occasionally gently brush backwards against the direction of the hair. This will also help remove any loose hair and prevent hairballs.
For regular brushing to remove dirt and loose fur, use a bristle brush or slicker brush

For the best results on your long haired cat, use a metal comb first and work it from front to back within the line of the fur. Loose fur can then be removed with a slicker brush or a rubber mitt. We recommend daily brushing for long-haired cats.
To check for fleas in long haired cats, brush using a wide-tooth comb in the direction of the hair. This will also help detangle mats and knots whilst gently removing debris, dirt and loose fur.
For more sensitive areas such as the face, use a 2 sided comb to keep your cats fur clean, healthy and identify any early stages of skin irritations.

You want your kitten to learn that grooming can be an enjoyable experience, so start by stroking your kitten then move to gently brushing them with a soft bristle brush.
Introduce a tasty kitten treat while brushing. This can help keep them calm as well as teach your kitten that brushing is a positive activity with you.
Avoid forcing your kitten into a grooming routine by restraining them, as this can make them feel stressed and have a negative experience.

Pick a location that your cat is comfortable with, as this can help them feel calm and make their grooming experience more pleasant.
Older cats are more likely to have tender joints, so use a soft bristle brush and avoid using a wire bristle brush.
Treat your senior cat while grooming them to make brushing a positive experience.

Cats can be bathed to improve coat appearance and eliminate odour.
Always brush away dead fur before bathing.
If your cat is nervous around water, we suggest using a warm damp sponge, bathing wipes or waterless shampoo instead of a bath.
Only use mild waterless shampoos registered for cats to prevent skin irritation. Spray and work these gently into the coat. The fine and quiet mist is fast drying and won’t build up, keeping your cat’s coat clean and healthy without the need for water.

Most cat wipes are already carefully designed with few ingredients, but if your cat has extra sensitive skin then try these hypoallergenic cat wipes. These wipes are made alcohol-free and use natural ingredients that are least likely to cause an allergic reaction in your cat.

Your cat’s claws will need to be clipped regularly. To get them used to this, begin a habit of playing with your kitten’s paws and claws while they’re young.
Ensure your cat is comfortable before you start clipping their nails to avoid resistance.
Use a sturdy pair of clippers to remove the white section at the tip of your cat’s claws, taking care to avoid the quick.
Ask your local Greencross Vets for advice on clipping your cat’s nails, or have them do it for you, and come and see the team at your local Petbarn store for all your cat’s grooming needs.