The Best Way to Get Rid of a Cat's Winter Coat
Many cat owners assume their cats are self-grooming and do not need help shedding their winter coats, but this is not always the case. Many cats do require human assistance in spring and autumn, when they molt, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). A cat owner can help prevent and remove mats, decrease intestinal blockages from hairballs, and help her cat shed its winter coat quicker and easier than the cat could on its own. The key is to use the proper tools and techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- Wide, wire-tooth metal comb
- Mat-splitter
- De-shedding tool
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Soft-bristled brush
Instructions
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Comb through your cat's coat with a wide, wire-toothed metal comb, excluding its head. Wire-tooth combs are the best tools to thin out your cat's undercoat and get rid of dead hair, according to catchannel.com. Make sure to comb your cat's stomach, back legs and underneath its tail.
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Work section by section to remove tangles and any debris in your cat's fur with the wire-toothed comb.
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Tease out any mats you find in your cat's coat with a mat-splitter. A mat-splitter will help you get the mats out in small increments without leaving a hole in your cat's coat.
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Utilize a de-shedding tool to remove even more of your cat's winter coat. While combs are designed for detangling and will remove a fair amount of hair, a hand-held de-shedding tool is specially designed to allow you to loosen and collect large amounts of fur, and will work well to rid your cat of its winter coat, according to Kristin Grant of catchannel.com. Move the de-shedding tool gently over your cat's coat in a smooth motion.
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Brush your cat's entire coat with a stiff-bristled brush to remove any remaining dead skin and loose hair left behind by the de-shedding tool.
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Use a soft-bristled brush on your cat's head.
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Tips & Warnings
Brushes with wide teeth, plastic bristles and beaded tips work well for long-haired cats, and brushes with short bristles such as slicker brushes are effective for short-haired cats. However, choose a brush that your cat likes.
You can purchase mat-splitters and de-shedding tools at most pet supply stores.
Groom your cat two to three times every day in the spring and autumn, recommends the RSPCA.
Do not use scissors to cut mats out, as you could leave a hole in your cat's coat or cut your cat's skin. For difficult mats, it may be a good idea to bring your cat to the groomer or veterinarian for a shaving.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit exhibition cat image by MateiA from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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sobergirl05
Mar 05, 2010
Lisa- Excellent article!I am a cat lover and have a tabby who sheds like crazy.I also have discovered she loses her winter fat in springs as well.She is my first kitty.Write more of these articles,please!
