Cats like to think that they need no help in the grooming department, but unfortunately, as most cat owners know, that simply isn’t true. Cats that are not groomed can develop mats and they are more likely to suffer from hairballs. Grooming your cat can be a rather challenging endeavor if it is not something you get them used to early on in life. Start your cat off with a basic and regular grooming routine as soon as you get them so they develop a tolerance for it life long.

Brush your cat regularly to stimulate their skin and keep their coat clean and healthy. Short haired cats should be brushed once weekly and your long haired cat multiple times each week. Start off each combing session with a wide tooth comb and then follow with a fine-tooth comb to ensure you get all loose and shed fur from the undercoat. When combing, make sure that you are checking for fleas, ticks, skin problems and mats.

As part of your regular grooming routine check your cat’s eyes, ears, teeth and nails for problems. You can wipe tearing from your cat’s eyes with a warm washcloth. Wax or debris in the ears can be gently cleaned from only the outer ear with a cotton ball or ear cleaner designed for cats. You should also trim your cats nails once a month and brush their teeth regularly. When trimming your cat’s nails make sure that you avoid trimming them down to the pink part of their nail because it can cause bleeding and pain and may lead to infection.

Taking care of your cat’s few minor grooming needs is part of being a responsible pet owner. It can also be a way to bond with your cat when done correctly and with care.