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Grooming
Although cats are fastidiously clean by nature, some
cats need a little extra help. Grooming your cat
provides several benefits. Regular brushing and
inspection will alert you early on to any skin problems,
lumps, bumps, or fleas. It can help your cat to become
accustomed to being handled.
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Brushing can be a pleasurable interaction between you
and your pet that satisfies your cat's need for
attention and can reduce anxiety and even blood pressure
in people. By removing loose fur you help to reduce the
incidence of hairballs and the amount of cat hair in
your home.
For routine brushing of short-haired cats, use a flat
brush with short wire bristles called a slicker brush.
This is the best tool to remove the loose undercoat and
prevent matting. For long-haired cats, a longer and
softer bristled brush will detangle without breaking the
hairshaft. Small mats cam be removed by pulling with
your fingers or with a mat comb. If your cat's fur has
matted because of a heavy shed, it may be necessary to
shave the mats out with professional clippers. This is
best done by a groomer or your veterinarian if you are
unfamiliar with using a set of clippers. Be extremely
cautious if you use scissors to cut mats out. It is very
easy to misinterpret just where the mat ends and where
the cat's skin begins and end up lacerating your cat.
Aside from brushing, sometimes it will be necessary to
give your cat a bath. Always follow the label on the
shampoo for lathering instructions unless your vet
advises otherwise.
Check your cat's paws for ingrown nails. This especially
important as they get older and may retain the old
sheathes that will become embedded in the pads. Trim
your cat's claws regularly.
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