Happy Pets

Short-haired cats

The short-haired breeds do not need so much time spent on grooming. The method is the same as for Longhairs, except that combing and brushing should be from front to back in a horizontal direction — though some cats, especially Siamese, seem to enjoy having their fur brushed in all directions and a vigorous scalp massage with the fingertips from someone who has gained their confidence.

Simple hand-grooming (heavy stroking) will remove quite a lot of loose hairs, particularly after a massage against the lie of the fur. After brushing, a rub in the same direction with a pad of velvet or chamois leather will add an extra polish to short fur, and a clean piece of old nylon stocking pulled over the brush so that the bristles poke through adds an extra gloss to long fur on its final brushing. Always comb the hair off brushes after use, and keep both brushes and combs well washed.

Shampooing

Wet shampoos may sometimes be necessary. Start when the kitten is young so it gets used to the idea. If you know your cat hates being washed and it is necessary to bathe it, do not let it see you making the preparations! You do not want it fighting even before the battle begins.

Do not use human adult shampoos on cats — special cat shampoo formulas or very mild baby shampoos are as strong as cats can tolerate. You will find it easier to use the kitchen sink or a washbasin than the bathtub: they are at a much more convenient height for you to control the cat.

Do not expect a cat to like being submerged in water, or to tolerate having water poured over it without reaction. Have a bowl ready-filled to a depth of about 4 in (10 cm) at a temperature comfortable to your elbow, as for a baby’s bath. Wear gloves, especially if your cat is not used to bathing (not to keep your hands dry, but to protect them from the cat). An extra pair of hands to help will also speed up the job, making it much easier to accomplish.

1. Holding the cat firmly, put it in the bowl. Wet its head first and then the rest of it.
2. Work up a lather with the shampoo, taking care to keep the soap well away from the cat’s eyes.
3. Pull the plug and rinse the cat with a hand-held shower spray or, if that is not possible, have a second bowl of lukewarm water standing ready for the rinse. If a medicated shampoo is given a rinse may be inappropriate; follow the directions of your vet or of the shampoo manufacturer.
4. Dry the cat briskly by wrapping it in a rough towel. If the cat will tolerate a hair-dryer, finish off the drying with that, set only to warm (not hot) and not held very close. Groom as you dry. Whether after a shampoo or recovering from an accidental soaking, brushing will help speed drying. Keep the cat well out of draughts until the fur is absolutely dry.

If a cat gets a little paint, tar or similar substance on its coat or paws you may be able to loosen it by liberally swabbing it with cooking or olive oil (if you can, actually dip the affected area in the oil).

If less firmly attached, washing rapidly with washing-up liquid may do the trick. Always rinse well afterwards.

Claw-trimming

Cats, especially those kept indoors, that do not get much exercise on hard and rough surfaces often grow their claws more quickly than they wear them down. When claws become too long they begin to curve backwards and must be trimmed. With a trusting cat and a pair of clippers (the kind for human nails that look rather like a pair of wire-cutters are best — do not try using scissors) this is not difficult. Begin trimming when the cat is still a kitten to get it used to the idea. Dealing with an older cat for the first few times or with any cat that does not like being handled may require help from someone else to hold the animal. Only cut the claws in good light so you can easily see the pink quick, the still- live part where there are blood vessels, for you must not cut near this area.

Hold a paw in one hand and squeeze it gently so the claws are extended. Align the clipper blades to the sides of the claw, and squeeze the clippers firmly. Stop if the cat shows any sign of pain, which means you are not doing it correctly. If you have any doubts about trimmingclaws, ask your vet to do it for you, or to show you how it should be done.

Only cut a cat’s claws if they grow too long. Claw-trimming will not stop a cat from scratching, and it may even increase the activity to sharpen the trimmed ends.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 10:39 pm and is filed under Cats, Grooming, Kittens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.