Dawn dish detergent, the miracle product rescuers use to clean oil-coated birds, will also work for your cat, if you use this procedure: Put the detergent on your cat’s fur before you get him wet. Massage it in for several minutes. By using the detergent before you wet your cat, the oil will get bound up in the soap rather than just causing the soap and water to slick off without touching the oil. Rinse your cat’s fur with warm water until no more suds come out.

My reader reported that this technique worked like a charm, and her kitty’s fur was clean after the first try.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

First, make sure you and your cat are positioned properly. Let your cat sit on a table, facing away from you. Hold him with your non-dominant hand. You can then use your dominant hand to trim his claws.

Use the right tool for the job. A special scissor designed for trimming cat nails is the best choice, but a sharp fingernail clipper will work too.

Make sure you are calm as well. If you come off as anxious and stressed, your cat will pick up on that and it will make him more upset.

If your cat squirms and struggles, or if he is new to claw trimming, do only one or two claws at a time and reward him with a treat afterwards.

If all else fails, have a professional groomer or your vet trim those nails. They can show you their technique, which might make it easier for you in the future.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Use only lukewarm water (hot water can be counter-productive and stimulate more dander production) and a mild cat shampoo. Some of the cat shampoos on the market are even soap-free. Bathing every other week will condition the skin and hair while removing dander and saliva. Keep the water flow warm and gentle and eventually your furry friend may even look forward to bath time!

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

I assumed this was some sort of expression of his love for me and it may be. Cats groom each other as a sign of comfort and bonding (you’re unlikely to see two cats who despise each other grooming each other). Especially if your cat is kneading and purring while doing this, it is likely to be a sign of contentment and acceptance. Or, it could be the shampoo you use – you never know with cats.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Just do a little section at a time. I know that it’s good for me to have my coat brushed and know that you are doing it for my own good, but being brushed is a scary thing for me, and so I appreciate it when you do just a little section at a time, even spreading it out over a few days.

kthxbai

While some cats will sit quietly while you clip, most are apt to behave, well, like a cat. To restrain your cat yourself, place your lower arm across his neck as he lies on his side on your lap. If he fights this, you can try a cat muzzle. Using cat clippers, work fast. Always take off less if you’re not clear where the quick is.

Some people swear by cat restraint bags, which makes your cat into a mummy. Just be aware that while you may get the job done using one of these, there’s a chance your cat may never forgive you.

Some people say it helps to visualize the bathing process for yourself before beginning: how you see it unfolding is what you will make happen. You’re going to soak the cat right down to her skin, then starting from her neck to her tail you’ll lather her with warm diluted shampoo and then do a whole lot of rinsing before toweling her dry.