Cat Grooming and General Care Tips
Keep your kitty healthy and happy!

Cats clean themselves, why should I groom them? We see our cats spending a lot of time each day licking and cleaning themselves. There are various reasons; however, your cat still needs your grooming assistance to stay healthy and happy. Grooming accomplishes much more than just making your cats’ coat look nice and shiny. It also stimulates circulation, removes loose hair, reduces shedding and helps prevent matting.

Regular Grooming
Regular grooming will also provide you with the opportunity to spend more "quality time" with your cat, combing, brushing and generally bonding with him. You will also be able to check your cat closely for any problems while grooming. Move the hair aside and examine the skin closely for signs of fleas and ticks. Check also for any unusual problems with the coat such as mats, tangles, skin irritations, etc. Should you notice matting, try to gently comb the mat out but never use scissors to cut out the mat. Cat's skin is very thin and can be cut easily resulting in a trip to your vet and daily treatments to heal the wound. If you are not able to remove the mat, schedule a grooming appointment with Cat Connection to give your kitty professional care. Learn where he likes to be combed and brushed, and where he doesn't. Cats have sensitive ears that may need to be groomed a little more gently and carefully than other areas. By paying special attention to these locations, you will help make your cat more comfortable while being groomed, and he will not resist future grooming sessions.

Cat bathing is also an important factor in your cats’ health and coat maintenance. Cat Connection recommends bathing for short-haired cats at least 2 times a year and bathing for medium/long-haired cats at least 4-6 times a year. Most cats do not like to be bathed and that is why we are here. Our groomers only work with cats and do not use restraints or sedation.

We pay special attention to each cat and do not rush the grooming process. All cats must be brought in at their scheduled time to ensure enough time to groom your cat properly with as little stress as possible. When making your grooming reservation at Cat Connection, please be honest on the condition of your cats coat. We normally book all reservations 2-4 weeks out (yes, we are very popular!). It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to maintain your cats coat, therefore do not neglect proper brushing and combing for 2 weeks just because you have a grooming appointment with us. A cat's coat will not get in a complete matted stage in 2 weeks unless the cat has been neglected.

Kittens
Grooming is also important for kittens. We see cats constantly licking and grooming their kittens to help keep their coats clean. Your kitten will also need some help with his grooming. By starting with short grooming sessions at a young age, your kitten will become accustomed to the grooming procedure and will be less likely to resist your grooming efforts when he gets older. Constantly reassure your kitten in gentle tones while brushing and combing. This will, in time, make him accustomed to being handled and brushed. Eventually he will be quite comfortable and will look forward to these grooming sessions with you.

Health
Regular grooming is essential to your cat's health and well being. Regular combing and brushing will keep the coat clean and healthy, stimulate the skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It will also help to prevent hairballs, which are the result of loose hair being picked up by the cat's tongue and then swallowed. These hairs sometimes accumulate in the cat's stomach forming hairballs, which can be harmful to the cat. Grooming will also allow you to check for potentially serious problems. Check for areas of hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin. Constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem. Check with your veterinarian about any unusual problems you may find. As cats get older, it is often difficult for them to properly groom themselves (especially medium to long-haired cats). It is very important for you to pay close attention to your cat and make every effort to assist your kitty in keeping a clean and healthy coat.

Frequency
How often your cat needs to be combed/brushed depends upon several factors: type and length of coat, weather conditions, time of year, etc. Generally speaking, shorthaired cats should be combed/brushed about twice a week, while longhaired cats should be combed/brushed daily. You will soon find the grooming frequency that provides the best results for your cat. It is important to establish and adhere to a regular grooming schedule. These sessions should be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. Be sure that you allow time to provide proper grooming, and are not likely to be interrupted.

Combing
Comb carefully in the direction of hair growth to smooth the coat and remove any minor knots or tangles. Never use scissors to remove mats, as this is very dangerous and could injure your cat. For longhaired cats, begin with a wide tooth comb and follow up with a fine tooth comb. After combing, use a shedding blade to remove any loose or dead hair in the coat.

Brushing
Brush in the direction of hair growth with a wire slicker brush. This will help detangle any matted fur and remove dead hair and debris. After brushing the coat until it is thoroughly clean, you can follow with the cat brush. Use long, flowing strokes to bring out the beautiful luster of your cat's coat. A grooming glove can also be used after brushing. It will remove any remaining debris, massage the skin and distribute your cats’ natural oils resulting in a shiny, healthy coat.

Nail Trimming
Regular nail trimming is important to your cat's health and well being. Never use ordinary scissors to trim your cat's nails; they may injure the cat. Use trimmers that are specifically designed for cats. Hold the paw with gentle firmness and squeeze the paw at the base of the nail. This will cause the nail to protrude. Cut off the tip of the nail with a single stroke, being careful to stop short of the quick, the pink blood vessel inside the nail. Cutting into the quick will hurt your cat and cause some bleeding. If possible, follow up with the nail file, filing toward the tip to smooth the cut edge.

If you are uncomfortable with trimming your cat's nails, you can bring them into Cat Connection and we will trim them for only $5.00. Just give us a call and let us know you are on the way. We can also show you how to properly trim kitties’ nails in the future.

Food and Nutrition
Diet is especially important to your cats’ health. A combination of proper diet and grooming will make a huge difference in your cat's well being. Cat Connection only carries premium cat food that is specifically designed for every cat's needs. Does kitty have a problem with Hairballs? Shedding? Vomiting Food? These are common problems with cats that usually begin in your kitty's diet.

Click here to go to our online cat food shopping section!

Published by Cat Connection. Copyright © 2004 Cat Connection Inc. All rights reserved.