Things You'll Need:
- Brush
- Comb
- Small Scissors
- Nail clippers
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Step 1
Grooming your cat not only helps them, but it cuts down on the amount of hair that is shed. It is best to keep grooming sessions short and quit at the first sign of resistance. You don't want it to become something that your cat fights you about - it can become a time of bonding between you and your cat.
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Step 2
You may have to try out several different brushes and combs before you find the one your cat likes best. Take into consideration whether your cat is long-haired or short-haired. Long-haired cats need brushing everyday while short-hair cats may only need occasional assistance.
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Step 3
Always brush or comb with the growth of the hair. Paying special attention to the areas the cat may have more difficulty reaching - such as the rear legs, behind the head, and the stomach area.
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Step 4
If you find a mat, use your fingers to try and carefully pull apart the mat with your fingers. Go slow. Your cat will let you know if you are hurting. Again, don't upset the cat - work at the mat until it is separated or the cat lets you know it has had enough. You can always come back another time.
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Step 5
If the mat can't be worked apart, then you will have to cut it out. Use a small pair of scissors and cut it out the mat in sections. Be careful not to cut the skin and don't stab the cat with the scissors. Child's scissors can be safely used for this task, though I normally use manicure scissors.
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Step 6
As your cat ages, she may find it harder to keep her nails trimmed. The cat may still be using the scratching post, but is not putting enough strength into it. Using the cat nail clippers, carefully clip each nail. Very gently squeeze the paw so that the nail extends and clip ONLY the white section of the nail. Do not clip the pink section as this hurts the cat and will cause the nail to bleed. You may be only to clip 2 or 3 nails at a time. Again, try not to stress out your cat and do only what the cat will tolerate. Tomorrow is always another day!
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Step 7
If you haven't groomed your cat before, introduce it in steps. Don't push your cat any further than they are willing to go. Eventually, they will build up a their level of trust and be more relaxed in their acceptance of grooming. They may even learn to love it!!!
