Petcare

Here are some essential tips about grooming your cats' coat, and in particular keeping the problems of fleas at bay.

Grooming requirements varies from breed to breed. Some require daily brushing and combing – particularly the long haired variety – others less often. Most cats spend much of their day grooming themselves. Cats should get accustomed to being groomed at the kitten stage. Gradually build up the amount of time you spend grooming your cat until it is happy and relaxed about it. If the cat puts up a bit of resistance, you are more likely to put off the task.

 When you are grooming your cat, check it over for any lumps or bumps. Check the skin by parting the hair and looking closely to see if it has any skin problems like fleas or cat excema, which may require treatment from a qualified vet. Long coats on cats need a lot of attention, with grooming on a daily basis. Use a wide toothed comb to remove any dead hairs. If you choose to have a long haired cat make sure you have the time to invest in looking after it. Short haired varieties of domestic cat only need brushing about once a week, but it may still be better to spend a few minutes daily grooming them to make it a familiar issue. Use a short toothed comb or rubber brush to remove dead hairs. If the short haired cat has a delicate coat and skin, always be careful when brushing.

Using your fingers to go through the cat's coat in the opposite direction to the hair growth to remove dead hairs. This helps to stimulate the natural oils in the skin that give a healthy shine to the coat. You might consider using a grooming glove to add lustre to your animal's coat. Always talk to your animal to reassure it, and praise it at the end of each part of the grooming process.

Fleas on cats not only make them uncomfortable, they can cause all sorts of skin allergies and infestations, as cats ingest the flees through their own grooming. Cats who stay indoors are less likely to get fleas. By using a flea comb, you will not only see the fleas, but you can catch some of them and remove them from the cat, but if it is a persistent problem you will need to give a monthly treatment with a flea killer, which is applied to the nape of the neck. Your vet can suggest the best programme for your cat. The animal needs to be held firmly when the liquid is being applied and reassured throughout the process. You may need to recruit a second person to hold your cat while you apply the treatment.

Cats are independent animals, and will probably decide exactly when they have had enough of grooming for one session, and will take the opportunity to disappear. Follow these few simple tips and your cats will remain well and well cared for.