How to Make Grooming Easier For You and Your Cat

Do you often find yourself struggling when trying to groom your feline? Are you worried about how stressed your cat gets when you attempt to groom him, even to the point where you have decided not to groom him yourself at all anymore?

Cats, both long-haired AND short-haired, require regular grooming, for your and your cat's health. You don't want to be breathing in all that fur lying around your house that your cat sheds off, plus if your kitty swallows too much fur when grooming himself, it can cause anything ranging from him throwing up hairballs to a blockage in his intestines from a large clump of fur that he swallowed, which would have to be removed with surgery.

For both yours and Kitty's health and to save money from a having a professional groomer manage your cat's coat, here are tips on how to make grooming an easier and less stressful experience for both you and your cat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Of course, be patient and gentle when grooming your cat. Do not yell at your cat, and when brushing his fur, do not pull at a mat or tangle. You may have to cut it with a scissor to remove it, but if it is severe or if there are a lot of mats and tangles in your cat's coat, you may have to get a professional to remove them.
   
   There are also shampoos and conditioners that help deal with and prevent these problems and keep Kitty's fur looking healthy and shiny. You can buy these at pretty much any pet store.

2. Pet your cat with your hand while grooming him. This way, he will probably be more comfortable, and it will feel more like you are giving him a kitty rub than actually grooming him.
   
   Tip: Instead of using one hand to hold a brush and the other to pet your cat, you can purchase a grooming glove so you can do both with one hand (and not feel so tired from having to lift both your arms). You can also get these at pet stores.

3. If you have tried to above tips and Kitty is still stressed, there are tranquilizers you can buy at pet stores that you can place in his food to help him relax more while you are grooming him. However, ALWAYS read the instructions on the box or bottle and only give your cat up to the recommended dose.

Tips & Warnings

• Besides making your cat's fur pretty, grooming can also help you be more aware of what is going on underneath his fur and other places on his body. You can spot a flea more easily hiding in Kitty's fur or spot or feel a suspicious lump. If you do find one, get it checked out by a vet immediately.