Although quite proficient at grooming, cats occasionally can use some help

While cats are remarkable creatures who are quite adept at overseeing their own grooming (as well as each other’s), they do occasionally need our help. No one wants their cat to ingest loose, dead hair (which can turn into hairballs), and with a little assistance from us, cats can keep their lovely coats free of mats and tangles that may lead to problems such as skin irritation and infections.

Whenever possible, it’s advisable to start grooming your cat regularly from kittenhood on. In doing so, you set up a consistent pattern that your pet comes to expect and may really enjoy. During regular grooming, you can also check your cat for external parasites like fleas and ticks, as well as lumps or lesions.

Longhaired cats should be groomed daily, while shorthaired ones can be brushed once or twice a week. Regular grooming also will keep your cat from shedding excessively.

Other special areas to check (if you can do so safely) include the eyes, ears, and teeth. Your cat’s eyes should be bright and clear, ears should look pink and clean, and teeth should be plaque free. Never use toothpaste on a cat (though it’s doubtful he or she would let you), as it contains fluoride, which is toxic.

Cats love to stretch their legs and sharpen their claws, so if you’d like to save your furniture, it’s a good idea to provide a scratching post or two. Aside from upright, carpet-covered posts, you can also find different types of corrugated cardboard for your cat to scratch on. (Some scratching posts come with balls encased in plastic molding for you cat to play with as well.)
You might also minimize possible household damage by keeping the sharp tips of your kitty’s claws trimmed. Don’t use a scissors, though – there are special nail clippers for this purpose you can get at your favorite pet store.

When cutting a cat’s nails, trim only the white, curved part, never going below into the darker area which will cause bleeding. If you cat has black or dark claws, just trim the sharp, curved tops to be on the safe side. Since a cat’s nails will grow back remarkably quick, this routine is one your pet needs to get used to.

While bathing a cat is generally not necessary, outdoor cats sometimes need a bath and even indoor cats may get into things that might require giving them a more thorough cleaning. While bathing is not something most cats will take to readily, it is possible to do unless your cat is one who won’t go near water without throwing a fit. If that’s the case, you can try using a damp washcloth to spot-clean the necessary areas. Only use soap or shampoos designed for pets, and never use ones containing pesticides or insect repellants. There are much safer ways to control fleas and ticks.

In general, cats are amazingly clean and fastidious creatures – but even they can sometimes use a little help from their non-feline friends.