Mary Allen
In addition to the comparatively harmless checking of eyes and ears, etc., grooming the coat tends to take the form of an act of war for many cat owners. Man struggles, cat grows increasingly angry. What now?
You often hear and read that grooming can be fun. But what if you have exactly the cat to which this statement does not apply? It’s not just longer-haired cats that can become furious when faced with a brush, even the easy-care short-haired cats often flee before we even get the brush out of the drawer. However, grooming is a must, because all cats, regardless of hair length, not only change their coat seasonally but also lose hair all year round.
Peace Offering
Cats like to play with brushes – they only run away when they want to be brushed with them. Therefore combing and brushing should be practiced with young animals. This also applies to other care measures that you can carry out yourself after some practice:
- Gently dab the inner corners of the eyes with a dry paper handkerchief (never rub), as if you wanted to remove “sleep crumbs” (healthy cats also have them). If the eyes are watering or the conjunctiva is red, you need to see the vet.
- Fold your ear back a little, wrap a tissue around your index finger and never brush deeper than you can see (many people tend to get earwax later).
- Pull your lips up with your thumb and check your teeth (tartar) and gums (a red border indicates inflammation).
- Open your mouth (let your vet show you how) and look down your throat. Do you notice bad breath, a coated tongue, or a red throat? Then the patient has to go to the vet.
- Throw in tiny pieces of treats as a “pill workout.”
- With light finger pressure (above and below) on the front paw pads extend the claws (which usually have to be shortened in old age).
- Occasionally wipe the valuable buttocks with a damp cloth. Watch out for sticky fur, this indicates diarrhea, which must be treated!
- Work the fur with a soft brush, especially in the sensitive areas of the underbelly, armpits (don’t tug at the little legs!), and the underside of the tail.
Practice Creates Masters
Even if you have an adult cat, you can practice these grooming actions. It is important not to rush into anything! Don’t risk relapsing even if you don’t do much grooming for a while—a little progress a week is better than none. Stop as soon as the cat shows that “that’s enough,” otherwise their willingness to cooperate will be over. After each small treat, praise your cat and reward them with a treat.
Incidentally, many cats enthusiastically abuse the grooming tool in order to “subdue” the thing or as a jump reaction to relieve tension. So just wait until the seizure is over.
Battle Hangover
Adult tomcats, especially if they are not neutered, are a chapter in their own right. Of course, they are quite picky when it comes to the rear end. But it also hurts a kitten with a hangover if you briskly brush over it. So brush gently around the area in question – there isn’t much that can be combed here anyway.
Groundwork
Don’t wait until the fur has become matted before grooming it, because then nothing will work. Start when the comb and brush are still gliding easily through the hair, as cats are more likely to enjoy this procedure then. What you should also pay attention to is the right time for grooming. Anyone who comes with a brush and wants to “work on” their kitty in the middle of chasing the toy mouse or when she’s eating (“because she’s looking so pretty right now!”) or during digestive sleep will provoke a negative reaction.
Claw Cutting
Any moderately active cat that has enough scratching and climbing opportunities will naturally keep their claws at the correct length. Only in the case of seniors with a restricted range of motion should you regularly check whether the claws – only on the front legs – are not worn enough and whether a shortening is necessary so that they do not grow into the flesh. Only use claw pliers and only clip off the white tip to avoid damaging blood vessels. Be sure to have your vet show you how to do this beforehand.