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Top Cat Grooming Tips for Gorgeous Kitties!

Cats are the vainest creatures on Earth! Grooming themselves is what most cats spend half their day doing anyway, so why would you need cat grooming tips?

Well, as I say, cats are vain. And fastidious. They like to be clean. They like their fur to be smooth.

So I'll bet you've seen your moggie licking her paw and washing her face a thousand times. And not just her face, right? You've watched her hundreds of times, rolling over to get at a hard to reach part of herself, and smoothing down her fur with her tongue.

And right there is the top reason you should make grooming your pet a task you perform daily. HAIRBALLS! When kitty is grooming all that stray fur out of her gleaming coat, a lot of it winds up in her stomach.

FIVE Compelling Reasons to Groom Your Cat

  1. Prevention is better than cure. When you comb the loose fur out of kitty's coat, it doesn't wind up in her tummy, and she doesn't get sick from Hairballs. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Kitty is Spared Pain and Discomfort!
  2. Prevention is better than cure. Hairballs have been known to clog the intestinal tract. If your cat's intestine is blocked that can lead to more serious disease, even Death. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Avoid This Risk of Losing Kitty Forever!
  3. Pevention is better than cure. The two most frequent sicknesses which afflict cats are Eye Infections and Ear Mites. You can guard against both while you're grooming your cat. And comb out dirt and snags. Also look for ticks or fleas. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Home Sanitary and Kitty Comfortable!
  4. Prevention is better than cure. Does your pet's breath sometimes make you retch? You can easily prevent that - and check for tartar build up and guard against gum disease - by brushing your moggie's teeth gently whilst she's perched on your knee. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Dinner Down and Kitty's Gums Well!
  5. Read Both Sides of the De-Clawing Debate I urge you to read up on all the reasons NOT to de-claw. But even if your cat doesn't have claws, you still have to check that her toes are clean and healthy. And clip her claws if she has any... SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Furniture Safe and Kitty Comfortable!

How To Brush or Comb Your Cat

Cats love being groomed! Of course, it is much easier to accustom your cat to brushes and combs when she's a tiny kitten, but even full grown cats soon come to thoroughly enjoy being brushed.

Brush gently and firmly following the natural line of your cat's fur from her neck down to her tail. Patience is necessary; in fact some owners wrap their cat loosely in a clean dishtowel before beginning!

If your cat gets cross and struggles, stop and play with her until she grows relaxed.

Try to avoid bringing a brush or comb too close to her face.

Alternatives to Brushing

If your cat definitely doesn't like being brushed, you can use a comb, or a grooming glove.

The technique is different from brushing. Don't pull a comb through your cat's fur, it will upset kitty. Instead, pick out a small patch of fur and groom a tiny area at a time, very gently.

Most cats love a grooming glove, it's very easy to use and gives your cat a nice massage, too.

While you are brushing your cat's coat, be sure you take the time to check out eyes and ears.

Eyes should be clear and bright, free of gundge in the corners. Messy, sticky, eye corners may be the first sign of conjunctivitis.

Ears should be clean and pink. Dirt can be a first sign of ear mites. Mites can make your poor cat's ears shrivel up or even make her deaf, so be sure to check her ears regularly.

What To Do If You Have a Long Haired Cat

Long haired cats have to be combed. Brushes and grooming gloves just don't do a thorough enough job, although they can be great for putting kitty into a relaxed mood before you get going with that comb.

Cats aren't as keen on combs as brushes, especially if they're long haired, but prevention is better than cure.

If your cat's long hair isn't combed through regularly, then her coat will become matted, which she will absolutely hate - and so will you, because matted hair turns cats into bundles of furry fury!

So then you'll have to get her clipped, maybe even shaved, and most cats will only tolerate being clipped or shaved after they've been sedated - remember how vain they are, and how much they love their gleaming fur coats? More vet fees, and a very stressful experience for both you and your cat, so strive to avoid all that agony by teaching your kitty to love getting groomed :-)

BETTY ANDREWS runs [http://www.CatFav.com] Betty also works during the day as a part time Administrator and a full time Mom - to 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a guinea pig! Betty's spiritual home is in San Francisco, but right now she's living in Cyprus because that's where her other half is stationed. Her hobbies are embroidery and ballroom dancing; her fav leisure activity is "anything to do with the ocean".

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