DIY Grooming

- Grooming is actually more than your cat making him or herself look good! Find out more…
- Grooming not only stimulates the circulation and improves muscle tone, but also minimises hairballs in the stomach by removing loose hairs. Grooming also smooths down the fur so that it insulates the body more efficiently. It stimulates the glands at the base of the hairs which waterproof the coat. In hot weather, licking spreads saliva which cools your cat as it evaporates; grooming also spreads sebum across the coat.
- Make grooming part of your cat's regular routine. Introduce grooming while your cat is still a kitten, and he or she will become used to it. Grooming will not only enable you to spot external parasites and skin wounds, and help keep fur off your sofa, you'll also spend quality time, bonding with your pet.
- Here's how to groom:
- For shorthaired cats, use a fine-toothed metal comb weekly, and a natural-bristle or rubber brush to remove any dead hairs.
- Gently brush or comb your cat's hair, using strokes in the direction that the hair grows.
- Use the bristle brush to sweep up the coat in the direction of the head, then smooth it down again.
- For longhaired cats, groom daily with a steel comb.
- Any knots can be teased out with your fingers, or cut off carefully with blunt-ended scissors. Alternatively, you may want to get your vet to do this as it is very easy to cut the skin. 
- If grooming is a struggle, hold a food treat under his or her nose, and stroke your pet with your hand. Talk to your cat reassuringly, then gently start to groom while he or she is interested in the food.
- Most cats get used to grooming, and enjoy it.