Take Time Off To Get Catty..

 

Cats are wonderful about cleanliness and not a day goes by when they don’t put in that extra effort to look their best. As pet parents, there are some rules we just follow so that our cats are well groomed!

Begin the day when kitty comes home by touching it all over, peering into the ears, peeking between the paws and brushing gently all over. This develops their confidence in you and creates a bond so that way if you need to put a lotion or snip fur the cat knows there is no threat.

Introduce soft brushes for short coated cats and brushes with fine teeth for long coated ones in due course of time.

Brush gently, regularly. Don’t tug at mats. Either comb the mats out or snip them if they are difficult. Bathe only when in dire need. Pay attention to the undercarriage, paws, hind legs, tail and face where mats are common. The head region, too, must be groomed by the humans.

Cats are prone to ear mites, so use a ear cleaner regularly. Clean area around the eyes gently with 0.5 per cent saline water.

If your cat is the kind to disappear when he/she sees grooming tools, use a small jute mat under his legs which he may enjoy scratching thus letting you finish your work. If your cat does not listen, get somebody who the cat trusts to hold it firmly while you finish brushing.

Cats get bored easily so if possible, hang ping pong balls at the table to keep them entertained. Use cat nip toys or a leaf to keep them from being distracted.

When your cat gets restless, it is time to stop. Always reward the cat after grooming with a treat, and scratch her/him under the chin. It is positive reinforcement.

Uma Karve Chakranarayan