Page 33 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

△ Longhaired △ Semi-longhaired △ Wavy or curly △ Shorthaired △ Hairless
Persians and other types With a silky topcoat and Coats of this type vary Easy-care shorthairs largely Unabsorbed body oils
of longhaired cats need a lighter undercoat than in length. All versions look after themselves, but build up in hairless cats
daily grooming to prevent longhairs, these cats can be spoiled by over- weekly grooming serves and can sometimes lead
the fur from tangling and are unlikely to develop grooming, so bathing is both as a bonding session to skin problems. Regular
matting. The thick tangles and are generally preferable. Shedding and an opportunity for a wiping or bathing is
undercoat sheds heavily. easy to groom. is usually light. health check. necessary for these cats.

Even the most fastidious and a minimal undercoat, so Shorthaired cats have a topcoat
longhaired cats simply cannot their fur remains free from of sleek guard hairs and a soft,
keep their coats in good order matting and tangling. Weekly downy undercoat of varying
by their own efforts, so owners brushing and combing is all thickness. Although the undercoat 31
need to lend a hand. In extreme that is required. may shed quite heavily, especially
cases there will be no option Some cats have fine, wavy, in warm weather, these cats are
but to cut the matted hair away— or rippled coats, as seen in generally very easy to maintain.
a task that needs professional the Cornish Rex, and a few Grooming once a week is usually
skill. Longhairs are also at breeds sport longer curls. sufficient for shorthairs.
greater risk than shorthairs Such coats do not shed heavily Hairless cats such as the Sphynx
of collecting large furballs. and are not as difficult to are not usually entirely bald but Regular grooming
If you own a longhaired cat, maintain as might be imagined. have an overlay of fine fuzz. This
a daily grooming session is Over-vigorous grooming can thin covering is not enough to
necessary (see pp.32–3). spoil the appearance of the fur, absorb the natural body oils that
Semi-longhaired cats, which so bathing rather than brushing are secreted through the skin
include Maine Coons and the is often recommended for this and regular bathing is needed
Balinese, have a silky topcoat type of cat (see pp.34–5). to prevent a greasy buildup.

Grooming tools
Tick
Buy tools intended specifically for remover
cats, and keep a separate set
for each cat in the family. Basic
items include a wide-toothed comb
or a bristle brush for removing
tangles, and a slicker brush, which
has wire pins set in a rubber base.
The slicker is invaluable for sweeping
up loosened hairs and debris from
the coat. If your cat lives indoors
and cannot keep his claws trim by
scratching, you may need a pair of
sharp clippers to remove the claw tips
(ask a professional to show you how
to do this). A tick remover is useful for
outdoor cats living in country areas. Fine comb Slicker brush Nail clippers Soft-bristled
brush

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