Apr 03 2008
Brush Your Cat
Cat Grooming – Keep Your Cat Looking Great
Cats do not like to be dirty. Most cats spend a good part of their day licking their paws and face. Whether this is for cleaning purposes or is simply pleasurable to the cat is hard to say but whatever the cat’s motivation it does keep them clean. But cat’s can’t get rid of all their loose hair and if you don’t want it all over your furnishings you need to groom him regularly.
Grooming isn’t just for cleanliness though. Without brushing, a lot of this hair will be swallowed. Since hair is not digestible, it often forms hairballs in the cat’s stomach and will either be coughed up, maybe on your carpet, or it will cause a blockage in his intestinal tract. In addition, its an opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.
If you start when your cat is a kitten, gently brushing him every day, he may grow up to think grooming is a nice as stroking. Not always though! I started brushing Alfie when he was a kitten and he didn’t like it then and doesn’t like it now. I think some cats have more sensitive skin and the brushing is uncomfortable for them. You can buy a grooming glove or a soft rubber cat brush like the one pictured here, which is much gentler for them. (Its called the Kong Cat Zoom Groom.)
My cat will tolerate this for a while but even this makes him growl if I get too vigorous! My solution is to do a little bit every day instead of all of it once a week. 
Gently brush or comb over your cat or kitten’s coat, following the grain of the fur from his neck to his tail. If he begins to grow irritable, stop grooming him and play with him for a few minutes until he is relaxed. Don’t try to brush his face or paws, it isn’t necessary and most cats will object to it.
If you have a long haired cat whose coat has become matted, you may need to have him shaved. Shaving a cat is a skilled job and most cats need to be sedated during the procedure, so this is a job for your veterinarian.
While you are brushing your cat’s coat, be sure you take the time to check out his eyes and ears. His eyes should be clear and bright, without matter in their corners. His ears should be clean and pink. Excess dirt in a cat’s ears can be a sign of ear mites. These mites can cause deafness and think how miserable he would be if he lost his acute sense of hearing. Be sure to take him to the veterinarian if you suspect mites.
Tags: Cat Health, brushing, cat, cat brush, cats, fur balls, grooming, grooming brush, kitten, Kong Cat Zoom Groom, matted fur
Well I am back home again in New Zealand from England and what a journey that is! Whenever I go there I vow never to do that trip again until I can afford to travel Business class! It is 13,000 miles to the UK from here and that meant several long plane journeys:
I was loaned a book during the Christmas break called “The Cat Whisperer or 
I keep on reading about the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) going on about how cats must be imprisoned to protect birds. I have mentioned this before but having read an article on the topic recently I will do so again.
Here is a gift for you! Download this little ebook "Choosing & Caring For A Cat"
Its free and I don't even want your email address!
Just right click on the link and save to your desktop.
