Although cats are known to be clean animals due to the fact that they spend a lot of time grooming, caring for your cat’s coat is essential not only for their well-being but also for their health. Do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian.

Cats spend a lot of time on their daily grooming. On the other hand, some cats may not or no longer be able to groom properly on their own and they may need your help with this task, especially in the following cases:

• Older cats: due to pain, reduced mobility due to arthritis, etc. ;
• Overweight / obese cats: who have difficulty accessing certain areas of their body;
• Cats who are sick or have had an accident: who cannot wash themselves as usual.

Indeed, in these cats who can no longer carry out their daily grooming, more or less serious problems can arise. So when cats are grooming, they will smooth their coats and loosen the knots in their hair. If this is not done then the hair will become tangled with the cat’s movements and knots can form. This is all the more the case in cats with medium to long hairs as well as in cats having a good physical activity. With knots present in the coat, skin problems can occur such as irritation, the presence of parasites, infections or even injuries.

Also, some cats naturally need more maintenance than others. This is particularly the case for cat breeds with medium to long hairs or even breeds of hairless cats such as the Sphynx for example.

Good maintenance of your cat’s coat involves brushing / combing its hair. The frequency of this brushing depends on the type of hair of the cat (curly, stiff, etc.) as well as on its length but also on its physical activity. Most shorthair cat breeds only require weekly or even monthly brushing while other medium or long haired breeds, such as the Persian, require daily brushing.

Moreover, the frequency of brushing can be accentuated, in particular during the moulting period when the hairs fall in greater quantities. Indeed, during these times of the year, some cats may swallow more hair while washing, which can form hairballs in the stomach.

Thus, more or less frequent brushing is important to remove any knots. This also allows you to check your cat’s coat and skin to see if there are any lesions, wounds, parasites or even masses on the skin. Such brushing requires to be equipped with accessories:

• A brush allowing you to brush your cat’s entire coat down to its skin (the type of brush must be chosen according to the cat’s hair);
• A comb: useful for cats with medium to long hairs, it allows you to find knots in the coat;
• A rubber glove: it allows you to remove dead hair and stimulate blood circulation;
• Small round-tipped scissors or a small animal clipper: they will allow you to cut any knots that you cannot remove with the previous accessories. Be careful, however, not to cut your cat’s skin and to use the round-tipped scissors only if the knot is not close to the skin. Otherwise, you can use a small clipper but be careful that it is well disinfected and only if you know how to use it without hurting your cat. Do not hesitate to get help from your veterinarian if this is too complicated or if your cat is not cooperative in order to avoid injuring your cat or even scratching you.

It is important to get your cat used to it from an early age to be handled and brushed with accessories so that it is easier for you and for him afterwards.

Not all cats need to be washed. While some may never need it, for others it is important and part of their upkeep. In fact, a cat that has become dirty or covered with a substance that could be harmful to it may need to be washed. In addition, some dermatological treatments require giving your cat a bath. Finally, hairless cat breeds are those that do not need brushing but regular baths for their maintenance. Indeed, these breeds secrete a lot of sebum.

To do this, it is important to keep in mind that your cat should not be bathed in water. Bathing your cat means washing it, not putting it in a tub of water. He could indeed get scared especially since many cats do not like water. Thus, place your cat in a sink or basin with a towel placed at the bottom so that it does not slip. Then, you can gently wet your cat using your hands, a container or a low pressure pommel. A lukewarm temperature is ideal. Once the cat is wet, you can shampoo it with your hands or with a washcloth using a dab of shampoo specially designed for cats. After that, you should rinse your cat, making sure to remove all of the product. Finally, gently wipe your cat with a towel and brush it to untangle the hair. Don’t forget to reward him with a treat.

Be careful not to wet your head, especially your cat’s eyes and ears. A damp towel will suffice to wash it, without using shampoo. For cats who will need regular baths, it is best to get them used to them as soon as they are kittens. However, if this turns out to be too complicated or dangerous, do not hesitate to call your veterinarian or a groomer.

Anyway, for any question relating to the grooming of your cat or the use of a product, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian who will be able to guide you.