Tag Archives: cat grooming tips

Cat Care, General Care, General Health

6 Ways To Keep Your Cat’s Coat Healthy

One of the many things we love about cats is the fact that they are so clean. Fluffy is very dedicated to her beauty routine, and will groom herself every day. However, there are also things you can do to keep her fur healthy. A Roanoke, VA vet lists some key ones below.

Brushing

Fluffy is pretty good about taking care of her coat, but she will still benefit from being brushed regularly. Brushing will remove dead hair and dander from her coat. This will reduce the amount that she swallows, which in turn means less hairballs. It’s also a great way to spend time with your pet!

Good Food

Proper nutrition will go a long way towards keeping your kitty’s coat soft and shiny. If Fluffy isn’t getting enough nourishment, her fur will soon show the effects, and will start to look dry and dull. Supplements may also help. Omega 3 and 6 oils, for instance, contain essential fatty acids that help keep your pet’s fur healthy. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Parasite Control

Fleas can wreak havoc on your cat’s fur. Kitties often over-groom themselves trying to find relief, which will leave their coats looking a bit unkempt. Plus, fleas will make your beloved pet miserably itchy. They can also spread dangerous diseases and/or transmit other parasites. Keep up with Fluffy’s parasite control!

Avoid Overbathing

You don’t have to bathe your furball, though you can if you want to, assuming your vet gives the green light. Use warm—not hot—water and shampoos made specifically for cats. Also, don’t overbathe Fluffy. This can strip the oils from her fur, which will dry out her coat and make her look, well, a bit frizzy.

Keep Kitty Happy

Cats are very emotional. If Fluffy feels stressed, lonely, or scared, she may stop cleaning herself. Or, she may go the other way and over-groom herself, which can result in hair loss and bald patches. Keep your kitty purring by making sure she always has a clean litterbox, fresh water, good food, toys, and, of course, comfy beds.

Veterinary Care

If you notice any skin or coat problems, such as flaking, redness, or thinning fur, contact your vet immediately. The sooner an issue is treated, the better!

Please feel free to contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, anytime. We’re happy to help!

Cat Care, General Care

Tips For Bathing Your Cat

One of the best things about our feline friends is the fact that they are so clean. Your furball will groom herself every day. Although you don’t have to bathe Fluffy, you can if you want to. However, there are some things to keep in mind if you do decide to bathe your kitty. A Roanoke, VA vet outlines some of them in this article.

Consult Your Vet

Before you decide to bathe your cat, check with your vet. In most cases, it should be fine. However, it’s always best to be sure.

Prep Work

Give your feline pal a good brushing before you bathe her. This will remove dead fur and dander from her coat. If you can, clip her claws as well.

Prepare The Bathroom

We recommend putting a rubber mat down in your tub or sink to protect it from scratches. You’ll also want to have some soft towels ready. It’s not a bad idea to have a pitcher on hand for rinsing, either.

Armor Up

Even if Fluffy doesn’t mean to scratch you, she may dig in at some point. Those little claws are sharp! Full-body armor is optional, but if you do decide to go that route, this is the time to don it. Otherwise, you’ll want to put on thick jeans and a long sleeved shirt.

Bath Time

You’re ready to go! Fill the tub or sink with a few inches of warm—not hot—water. The water shouldn’t be any deeper than your kitty’s chest. Gently put Fluffy into the tub, and then lather her up. Only use shampoos made specifically for cats. Rinse with a pitcher or a sprayer on low. Don’t get suds in your cat’s eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. In fact, you may want to just use a facecloth to clean your pet’s head.

Drying

When Fluffy is clean, gently pat her dry with a towel. If she doesn’t mind being blow-dried, you can use a blow dryer on a low setting. Don’t force her to submit to this if she doesn’t like it, though. When your cat has had enough, just let her go. She’ll immediately start grooming herself to fix her coat. A special toy or treat will get that motor going again.

Please contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, for all your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!

Cat Care, General Care

Grooming a Longhaired Cat

Do you have a super fluffy feline? Kitties are all cute, but longhaired ones can be extra adorable. They also require a bit of extra work. That’s a lot of fur for a kitty to care for! Read on as a Roanoke, VA vet discusses grooming longhaired cats.

Supplies

You may need a few different supplies for your pet. Wire slicker brushes remove dead fur and prevent tangles, while undercoat rakes are good for kitties with double coats. You may also want a de-shedding tool, as well as a softer brush for Fluffy’s head and paws. Mat combs, as the name suggests, are helpful for removing tangles. Flea combs can also come in handy.

Bathing

You don’t necessarily have to bathe Fluffy. However, you can if you want to. It also isn’t a bad idea to get your feline friend used to the idea of being bathed. This will make your life much easier if she ever gets something spilled on her fur. Use warm-not hot water, and an unscented shampoo made specifically for cats. To avoid getting suds in your kitty’s eyes, ears, or mouth, use a pitcher or teapot for rinsing.

Brushing

Most longhaired kitties need to be brushed regularly. This serves several purposes. For one thing, they often get knots and tangles, particularly under their arms and legs, which need to be removed. This will also help prevent hairballs. Hairballs happen when cats ingest fur while grooming themselves. If you grab that dead hair before Fluffy swallows it, you’ll be doing both yourself and your pet a favor. This is also a good way to monitor your feline pal’s health, as you may notice bumps, cuts, or other issues earlier than you would otherwise. Last but not least, your furball will feel loved and safe and, hopefully, a bit pampered.

Trims

Kitties sometimes get dirt, litter, or fecal matter stuck to their bottoms. You may want to trim some of the fur around your furry pal’s behind. Just be sure to only use blunt-end scissors.

Face

Certain longhaired breeds, such as Persians, are brachycephalic. These kitties have adorable pushed-in faces. However, they are also prone to tear stains. Clean Fluffy’s face gently, using a damp clean cloth or cotton ball.

Do you have questions about grooming your pet? Please feel free to contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic! We’re here to help!