Grooming and Home Care
How often should I give my cat a bath?
For short-haired cats who keep themselves clean--Never! Most cats are very low maintenance in the grooming department. If you are allergic to cats, or have a cat who is unable to keep herself clean due to a medical issue, she can be bathed as needed. It is best to train them for this as well, or have the bath done by a professional.
- Vet's Best dry clean waterless cat foam
- wash your cat without water!
- E'Plaza Adjustable Polyester Pet Cat Washing Mesh Bags
- Guardian Gear Nylon Cat Muzzle
- Helps keep you and your cat safe during a bath
Does my long-haired cat need a hair cut?
He does if he is unable to keep his hair from getting matted. You should brush him every day to help him out, but sometimes keeping the hair short is the only solution. A professional groomer can clip most of the long hair, while leaving the head, legs and tail (a lion cut). Some cats just need to be clipped around their anal area, which is called a sanitary clip.
- Four Paws Magic Coat Love Glove
- Safari self cleaning slicker brush
- Tools to help you remove the loose hair off your cat on a daily basis.
- FURminator deshedding tool
- Prevents hairballs and excessive shedding and matting
Do I need to brush my cat?
Yes. This will help prevent hairballs, hair on your clothes and furniture, and can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your cat.
- FURminator
- Deshedding tool
Should I trim my cat's toenails or get him declawed?
You can train your cat (lots of treats, again!) to allow you to trim his nails or apply nail caps to his claws at home. Senior cats are less motivated to sharpen their claws, which means they’re more likely to curl around and grow into your cat’s paw pads. Your vet or groomer can show you how to trim the nails. Surgical declawing of a senior cat is a very traumatic act and should not be done or if medical conditions of the pet parent require it, as a last resort discuss it with your vet.
- JW Pet Company Deluxe Nail Trimmer for Cats
- For trimming nails at home
- Soft Paws or Soft Claws Nail Caps
- An alternative to declawing. You can put these on at home.
- Scratching posts
- These discourage your pet from scratching on unwanted surfaces and also help to keep nails trimmed.
How can I get my cat to get used to my touching her paws?
For nail trims, play with your cat’s paws while she’s asleep before introducing clippers. Then, work on pushing on the foot pads to extend the nails. Once your cat is comfortable with both of these, you can then introduce nail clippers.
Should I brush my cat’s teeth?
Yes! Imagine how horrible your teeth would look and feel if you never brushed. Your cat can't do it on his own, and will need your help. Especially as cats age, good dental health can have a significant impact on organ function, too. Try to get your cat used to tooth brushing as early as possible.
How can I tell if my cat is at a healthy weight?
Body condition score. Feeling for ribs. Using a scale and consulting with your vet. It is common to feel the backbone of a senior cat as muscles begin to break down. If you feel your cat’s backbone easily, your vet might need to help you assess whether your cat is at a healthy weight.
Does my cat need monthly parasite preventatives?
Even indoor cats can come into contact with fleas or ticks or other parasites. Cats are generally considered to be resistant to heartworms, but you should still discuss the use of a monthly heartworm preventative with your veterinarian, especially if your cat is older. Regardless of your cat's age, protecting him against fleas and ticks is always a wise choice.
- Frontline
- Revolution
- Advantage
Should I clean my cat’s ears?
Most cats won’t need it and will keep their own ears clean while grooming themselves. The vet will examine the ears carefully during the regular check-up, but if there is ever a concern about ear cleanliness, you should use a cleanser product recommended by your veterinarian.
Why does my cat’s fur seem so dull?
Older cats have a harder time grooming, again often due to arthritis. A nutritional change may be needed as well. There are internal diseases that can lead to a poor hair coat as well. If you notice a sudden change in your cat's hair coat or grooming behaviors, you should contact your veterinarian.
Why do my cat’s eyes look different?
Pupils that look white could be cataracts. Only your vet can tell for sure. The iris will often get black/brown spots around the pupils that are normal signs of aging. The eyes of an older cat often appear a bit “sunken” as well.