Page 230 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

228 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

GROOMING AND HYGIENE

Cats instinctively groom themselves, spending much of
their time keeping their fur clean, tangle-free, and conditioned.
However, many cats, especially longhaired breeds, show cats,
and older cats, will need some assistance from their owners.
Helping out with basic hygiene, such as teeth cleaning and
A cat spends many
bathing, is also essential to keep your cat in peak condition. hours grooming himself

Natural grooming If you accustom your cat to grooming sessions from an early
Grooming keeps your cat’s coat in prime condition. This is age, he will come to view you as a parent figure and enjoy
important because a sleek, conditioned coat is waterproof, the experience. Always begin a grooming session by stroking
keeps your cat warm, and protects his skin from infection. your cat and talking in a soothing voice to help him relax.
Grooming can also help keep your cat cool in hot weather. Remember to be patient and on the lookout for signs that he
Your cat will always groom himself in the same order. He is uncomfortable, such as a flicking tail or whiskers turning
begins by licking his lips and paws, then using his wet paws forward. In such cases, stop and try again later or the next
to clean the sides of his head. The saliva removes the scent day. Make sure you also check his ears, eyes, nose, and teeth,
of recent meals, making him “odorless” to natural enemies and clean them if necessary. You may also need to clip his
that hunt by scent. Next, your cat will use his rough tongue claws, empty his scent-secreting anal sacs (or ask your vet
to groom his front legs, shoulders, and sides. The tongue is to do this), and give him a bath. Always end a grooming
covered in tiny hooks that can get rid of mats and tangles in session with praise and a treat.
the coat. The tongue also spreads the natural oils secreted
by glands in the skin that condition and waterproof the coat.
GROOMING TOOLS
Your cat will nibble away any stubborn tangles using his
Basic utensils for cat grooming
small incisors. His flexible spine then allows him to attend to include combs (flea, fine, and
his anal region, back legs, and tail, working from its base to wide-toothed), brushes (slicker, Tick remover
pin-tipped, or soft-bristled), a
the tip. He then uses his back paws like a wide-toothed comb
rubber grooming glove, clippers, a
to scratch his head. Cats raised together may sometimes cat toothbrush, and a tick remover.
groom each other, strengthening the bond between them. Some breeds may require specific
tools for their coat type.
Grooming your cat
Helping your cat maintain his coat is essential for several
reasons. Grooming sessions will enable you to maintain
a close bond with your cat and also give you a chance to
check his body for health problems. Some cats—especially
those selectively bred for their long, soft hair, such as
Persians—have difficulty keeping their coat clean and
tangle-free on their own. When you groom your cat,
you will help reduce the amount of hair he swallows while
grooming himself. This hair is usually coughed up as fur
balls. Some fur balls, however, pass through the stomach and
get lodged in the intestine, causing serious problems. Cats
become less efficient at grooming themselves as they get
Nail Slicker Fine Soft-bristled
older, so elderly cats benefit greatly from a helping hand. clippers brush comb brush