Cats are extremely hygienic creatures and are known for taking good care of themselves. However, caring for your cat is vital because it helps to strengthen the bond between them and you and also gives you an opportunity to check for signs of poor health.
Checking your cat from an early age will ensure that your cat receives regular attention, which will make vet visits later in life easier.
Benefits of Brushing
Brushing not only stimulates your cat’s circulation, improves muscle tone, but also minimizes the hairball by removing loose hair before it is swallowed. It also stimulates the glands at the base of the coat, making it waterproof and softening the fur to improve its insulating properties.
How to Brush a Cat
This depends on the breed of your cat and the length of its coat. Your cat’s fur will be shorter and softer than an adult cat’s, but it will grow longer over time.
It is much better to get your cat used to being groomed at an early age than to wait until they are older. This helps them to get used to it so they can fully enjoy it. To make the experience more comfortable, always put your cat on a non-slip surface.
The good news for owners of short-haired cats is that only a quick brushing with a light brush or a brush once a week will suffice. Use this opportunity to check their cat’s ears, eyes and mouth, as well as inspect the skin for parasites, wounds or lumps and bumps.
Long-haired breeds need daily grooming with the right type of equipment – ask your breeder or a groomer. First, let your cat sniff the brush. Most of the time, they rub their face against the bristles, which is a positive step. After stroking your cat for a while, start gently brushing the sides of its body first. After a few minutes, if the brushing has turned into a struggle, stop brushing and start stroking again.
All of this will help your communication with the cat. Once your cat is familiar with the feeling of being groomed, start brushing its belly, tail, ears and other sensitive areas, but be as gentle as possible and keep the first sessions very short.
When grooming your cat, it’s important to check its health
While your cat relaxes and enjoys the crawling experience, examine their paws by lightly touching their claws. Check your cat’s ears and open their mouth slightly to examine their teeth and gums.
Once your cat has learned the routine, take your cat to the table where you will want to groom them as an adult. Your pet will quickly associate this place with being groomed and rewarded, making it much easier for you to regularly check for signs of good health later in life.
