| No cat wants to be dirty, and it's up to you to | | | | it at all. Starting out young is the key to grooming, |
| ensure that your cat stays clean. Grooming is | | | | as it will get your cat used to brushing and |
| very important, as it helps your cat remain clean | | | | grooming. Some cats that have started grooming |
| and healthy. Grooming starts with brushing, as | | | | when they were kittens grow to love it, many of |
| brushing helps to keep the cats hair from | | | | which often look forward to their grooming time. |
| becoming hairballs. Brushing will remove loose hair, | | | | When brushing your cat, make sure that you |
| and help prevent the risk of hairballs. A lot of cats | | | | check his ears, eyes, teeth, and claws. His eyes |
| have trouble dislodging hairballs. If the cat isn't able | | | | should be bright and clear with nothing residing in |
| to get a hairball out, it could result in a blockage of | | | | the corners. His ears should be clean, pink in color, |
| the intestines. Blockages are very serious, and can | | | | and no sign of ear mites. Ear mites result from |
| quickly become life threatening for your pet. | | | | dirt built up in a cat's ears, and can result in the |
| Cats that have long hair need to be brushed and | | | | ears shriveling up and your cat losing his hearing. |
| combed on a daily basis, while cats with short hair | | | | Ear mites are very annoying for the cat, and hard |
| need to be groomed on a weekly basis. When | | | | for you as an owner to get rid of. The best way |
| you brush your cat, you should always watch for | | | | to get rid of them - is to ensure that your cat's |
| lumps in the coat and skin irritations. You should | | | | ears stay clean and healthy. |
| start brushing along the cat's back, going from his | | | | Each time you groom your cat, you should |
| head to his tail. Do this a few times on one side, | | | | always aim to go a bit further with your |
| and then switch to the other. Each area should be | | | | examinations. When your cat remains still, you |
| brushed a few times in the direction of the way | | | | should always praise him and give him a treat. If |
| your cat's hair is growing. | | | | your cat doesn't cooperate and starts to struggle, |
| When you brush your cat, you should always | | | | you shouldn't fight with him, but instead let him go |
| avoid brushing his face and paws. If a cat doesn't | | | | and try the next day. Once your cat gets used |
| like to be brushed, you can still groom him using | | | | to grooming he will look forward to it each and |
| another tool. The grooming glove is an excellent | | | | every day. |
| alternative to the brush, as most cats don't mind | | | | |