Page 231 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

GR OOMING AND HY GIENE 229

GROOMING | SHORTHAIRED CAT

Shorthaired coats are easy to maintain, and most cats with fine-toothed comb, then a brush to clear out loosened hair
such a coat cope well on their own, keeping their fur in and dead skin, and finally a “polish” with a soft cloth, such as
tip-top condition. However, a once-a-week groom (twice a chamois leather or piece of silk to produce an eye-catching
weekly if you have a show cat) will help you maintain a close sheen. Make sure you are careful when touching sensitive
bond with your cat and allow you to check for any potential areas, such as the ears, armpits, belly, and tail. If your cat
health issues, such as lumps or skin problems. Shorthaired has rexed, or curled, hair, use a very soft brush or a rubber
cats generally benefit from a comb through with a flea or grooming glove—anything harder may cause discomfort.

LOOSENING OLD HAIR AND DEAD SKIN DEBRIS REMOVAL
Draw a fine-toothed, metal comb from head to tail, along the lie of the Work over your cat’s body with a slicker or soft-bristled brush, again
fur. This will loosen dead hair and skin cells. Be careful when grooming with the lie of the fur. The brushing will get rid of all the debris
around the ears, the underside (armpits, belly, and groin), and the tail. loosened by the combing. Finish by polishing with a soft cloth.

GROOMING | LONGHAIRED CAT

Longhaired cats need much more grooming than shorthairs, The main aim of grooming longhaired cats is to eliminate the
ideally 15–30 minutes per day. Long fur, especially if it is soft tangles. Cat talcum powder can help tease them out, but with
and downy, picks up dirt and tangles easily, particularly in the severely knotted tangles the only solution is to cut them out
armpit, groin, and anal regions, and behind the ears. These with scissors. Make sure the scissor tips point outward, so
tangles prevent the coat from protecting the cat properly, that you do not cut the skin. If you are unsure about this, take
making the skin vulnerable to damage and infection. your cat to a professional groomer or ask your vet to do it.

INITIAL COMBING BRUSHING OUT LOOSENED DEBRIS
Comb the fur against the lie from the roots outward. Unscented talc Brush out loose debris and any remaining talc with a soft-bristled or
will help tease out tangles and also remove excess oils. Work through pin-tipped brush. Work against the lie. Fluff out the coat with the brush
again with a finer comb. Be careful combing the tail and underside. or a wide-toothed comb. With a Persian, comb neck fur up into a ruff.