Cat Grooming Is Necessary For A Happy And 
Healthy Cat
Although your cat may take the time to clean himself through licking his paws and face, he does still need you.
Cats don’t want to be dirty and they need you to help them stay clean.
Grooming your cat has to happen. You need to groom your cat often to help remove the loose hair on the cat.
In addition to your own regular brushing and care for your cat, a professional bath and brush for your cat should be done at least 2-4 times per year. Some Professional Pet Groomers do groom cats. A mobile grooming service that comes to your home, offers a much less stressful experience on both you and your cat.
In between your cat’s professional grooming, here’s what you can do to keep your cat happy and healthy and maintain a clean coat of fur.
Brushing:
Brushing your cat’s hair will keep it from ending up in his stomach. It is not easy to digest and often the cat can only get rid of it through hairballs. If they can not spit them up, they are likely to clog the intestinal tract. Grooming can also remove dirt and debris from the coat and can help you to check for fleas and ticks too.
Many cats do not hate to be groomed. It is much easier to become accustomed to it if you start when he is still a kitten. Gently brush or comb over the coat, following the fur from the neck to the tail. If he becomes annoyed with you, stop and play with him for a few minutes. When he is relaxed again, go back to it. Don’t groom the face or paws with the brush though.
A tip to get your cat used to being brushed, is to attempt to brush him while he is eating. If he associates receiving a delicious meal or treat with brushing, it will be a more positive experience for both of you.
Those who do not like to be brushed can still be groomed with a different tool- for example the grooming glove. When 
your cat is in a good mood, the kitty will not mind the massage. The glove is working to remove the hairs and the debris from the cat though. Most cats won’t even mind if you do this to their face either.
Lastly, if you have a cat that has longer hair, take the time to insure he is brushed. Those who are not will end up with matted hair. To remove matted hair, the animal is likely to need to be shaved. This can be a stressful experience for him so insure that you keep his coat clean and brushed thoroughly instead. If your cat does develop matts, it is absolutely necessary for them to be removed by a Professional Groomer or Veterinarian. Do not attempt to cut matts out of your cats fur. All too many cats end up at their vets for accidental injuries to their skin when their owners attempt to cut matts out. Matts, or tangles, in your cats fur collect dirt, grime, insects, skin and are extremely unhealthy and uncomfortable for your pet. Your groomer will determine if the matts can be easily and comfortably, individually removed, or if your cat may need to be shaved. Whichever is done, do not despair, fur grows back! And some kitties look absolutely adorable with the well known “lion cut”.
Check Eyes, Ears, Claws and Teeth, too
When you do brush him, make sure to check his eyes and his ears too. They should be clear and bright without anything in the corners. The ears should be clean and pink. Dirt that gets into the ears can be a sign of ear mites. These can cause the ears to shrivel up and your cat to lose his ability to hear. Make su
re to bring this to your vets attention.
If your cat has not been declawed, you’ll need to regularly remove the hooks on the ends of the claws. This requires clipping or filing your cat’s nails with tools. Again, we recommend a Professional Groomer or Veterinarian clip your cat’s nails. If you cut them too short, you will hit the “quick” and your pet can bleed profusely. ReguNot only will this ruin your clothing or upholstery, but it will also hurt your cat if he becomes snagged on something. The cat’s teeth should be free from tartar buildup too. You’ll need to keep them healthy by brushing them once a day with a finger tip brush and pet toothpaste.
If you follow these simple tips it will help your cat to be happy and healthy, and full of life.
Wagging Tails Pet Sitting & Mobile Grooming Service in Connecticut grooms dogs and cats in over 35 towns. Including Southington, Cheshire, Wallingford, Meriden, West Hartford, Farmington, Avon, Bristol, Terryville, Wolcott and MORE!
www.waggingtails.com (860) 621-7387 (Pets)
