You are viewing all 'Grooming entries.
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By flushing your cat’s coat with warm water, you will be removing saliva from her coat, along with any loose dander. Some people swear by distilled water and say it makes all the difference, while for other people it’s not practical to be bringing home bottled water to pour on the cat. If you do use water from a jug, pour it very slowly and make sure it is at least room temperature so the experience is not unpleasant for the cat, which will mean she will permit you to do it again. If you use tap water, put the cat in a sink that has a sprayer hose attached. The water should be warm and the spray head should be kept close to the body, which will make the experience less bothersome.
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 and be sure to check out her website. |
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If your cat becomes a whirlwind of claws and teeth when you try to trim her nails, here’s a trick that might help. When your cat is waking up from a nap, get your claw trimming scissors out, find an exposed claw, gently put the scissor over it (without extruding the claw) and give a quick snip. Only trim an eighth of an inch or so off the end. If your cat is really relaxed, you might get two or three claws done before she realizes what you’re doing. You should only use Sneak and Snip if your cat’s claws are long enough to be
visible while she’s sleeping. Do NOT try to trim a claw hidden by fur because you could cause injury.
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. |
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Don’t make grooming sessions too long with a cat. It is far better to groom one half of your cat in one session and the rest later on or on another day. Each cat is different, but if your cat can only tolerate so much petting, then grooming is not going to be her favorite pastime. Respect your cat’s patience level and don’t push your luck.
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 and be sure to check out her website. |
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It’s a task that you sometimes do without thinking: cleaning Fluffy’s litter box. But you can make it easier by considering that much ignored, yet critical tool – the litter scoop. Different types of scoops offer different results. Here are a few to consider:
1. Chrome-Plated Litter Scoop: this is a fairly small, old-fashioned sort of scoop with slats. Usually very inexpensive, it works well for one-cat households. 2. Standard Plastic Scoop: this also has slats and works with any type of litter. Debris can stick to it, however.3. Giant Plastic Scoop: this is good for very large litter boxes and multiple cats. It tends to have a thicker handle and better grip. 4. Rubber Tipped Scoop: the rubber along the front of the scoop helps ensure liners will not be torn.
Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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Cats are creatures of habit and they don’t care for change but there comes a time when the litter box needs to be replaced. Most litter boxes last a long time but inspect it when you’re scrubbing it clean. Look for deep scratches and lacerations in the plastic. These can become odor traps when the urine seeps in. You may not smell anything but your cat’s sensitive nose will. If you think it’s time to replace the box don’t just toss it out and surprise kitty with a shiny new one. Depending on your cat, he may not care for the abrupt change. Instead, fill the new box with litter and place it right next to his regular box. This will give him time to test-drive the new one. Once he is comfortably using it you can ditch that stinky old one.
Pam Johnson-Bennett, CABC, is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior. Her website is www.catbehaviorassociates.com. |
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In addition to rinsing with warm water regularly, a shampoo twice a month can really reduce the number of allergens on your cat. 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 and be sure to check out her website. |
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Pro tip: When you finish grooming your cat, firmly rub a piece of velvet or a soft chamois cloth firmly in the direction of your cat’s hair, to bring out the shine in her coat.
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 and be sure to check out her website |
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A successful bathing experience with a cat depends in part on having everything thought out ahead of time. Even though you may feel sorry for your cat having to go through this watery ordeal, it will help if you keep an upbeat instead of a guilt-ridden attitude. By keeping positive thoughts, you transmit an upbeat mindset that the cat will pick up on. 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.
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. |
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Just like cats differ in their vocal abilities and purr factor, they also differ in their litter box habits. Some cats are very gentle kneaders as they prepare a spot to use. Some kick the litter halfway across the room. Some cats are sensitive to the chemicals in some litters. And some cats refuse to use any type of litter.
Here are a few tips for matching your cat with the right type of litter: 1. Sensitive cats do best with a simple litter such as shredded newspaper or Feline Pine. 2. Litter kickers will make less of a mess with clumping litter such as Scoop Away.
3. Finicky cats will be more likely to use a mix of litter such as clay litter and cedar shavings.
Finding the best litter for your cat will keep you both happier.
Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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Just like cats differ in their vocal abilities and purr factor, they also differ in their litter box habits. Some cats are very gentle kneaders as they prepare a spot to use. Some kick the litter halfway across the room. Some cats are sensitive to the chemicals in some litters. And some cats refuse to use any type of litter.
Here are a few tips for matching your cat with the right type of litter: 1. Sensitive cats do best with a simple litter such as shredded newspaper or Feline Pine. 2. Litter kickers will make less of a mess with clumping litter such as Scoop Away.
3. Finicky cats will be more likely to use a mix of litter such as clay litter and cedar shavings.
Finding the best litter for your cat will keep you both happier.
Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
and doesn’t stop. She starts meowing and then cuts it off xD