Cat grooming

Cats have special tongues with small spines. You may have noticed they feel rough if you’ve ever had a lick from an affectionate feline before. These spines help to clear loose hair and dirt from their body when they groom.

But while cats are known for being clean creatures, there are occasions when you may need to step up to the grooming challenge yourself. Your feline may need some extra help if:

• Their fur is long or matted.
• They’re struggling to groom themselves properly, due to age and mobility issues, or illness.
• They’re wearing a cone (after an operation) and can’t reach to groom themselves.
• They’ve got debris stuck on their fur from the great outdoors.
• They enjoy it! Grooming is a great way to bond with your pet.

If you notice your previously perfect pet’s fur is getting unruly, or there’s a change in their grooming habits, it could be a sign they aren’t feeling their best. Make a vet’s appointment to be on the safe side.

There are several cat grooming tools to try, from combs to soft-bristle brushes. 

According to the RSPCA, specialised de-matting combs can be used to help tease out matts, whereas soft bristle and pin cat brushes are great at distributing your cat’s natural oils and improving fur condition. Slicker cat brushes may be a good choice for removing dead hair and matts in longer-haired cats, and grooming mitts can help remove dead hair in short-coated breeds.

Ensure your cat is happy and calm before trying to groom them. Is your cat in an affectionate mood? Or is it playtime? Or maybe they’re acting a little aloof. Choose to engage in a grooming routine when your feline has chosen to interact with you.

1. Present your cat grooming brush to your feline to sniff. See whether they rub their face against it.
2. Start with a few gentle strokes on their head and cheeks. Cats often enjoy being stroked here, so it’s a good place to begin!
3. If your cat is happy, you can start brushing their shoulders and along their back. Always move the brush in the direction of your cat’s fur.
4. Some cats don’t enjoy being stroked on their tummy, so be mindful of this when grooming your cat.

Remember that your grooming sessions should only last as long as your cat is comfortable with. Remove the brush and reintroduce it to check your cat is still happy. Battersea recommends grooming in short bursts to help your feline stay calm and feel in control.

Most cats enjoy being groomed. It feels nice for them and is a great bonding experience for us – win-win! But that doesn’t mean all cats will welcome the brush from the get-go. And it must be on their terms.

• Keep sessions short and sweet. Literally – offer treats if you need to.
• Try a selection of grooming products to find your feline’s favourite.
• Have separate brushes for individual cats – unless they’re well bonded. Your feline may not want to be groomed with anything smelling of another pet.
• Be mindful of grooming sensitive areas, like their tummies, as they might not like it.
• Watch out for knots and be careful not to pull their skin – you may need to use your fingers to tease tangles out first. If the feline has long fur, you could hold the base of the fur with your fingers as you work on the ends.
• It’s best to avoid using scissors. If your cat has matts, your vet or a groomer can remove them with clippers.

Typically, short-haired cats can make do with a groom once a week. Do this more often if they’re moulting. Long-haired cats should be groomed daily to prevent knots.

Cats usually keep their claws in check, using tree trunks or scratching posts – depending on whether they’re indoor or outdoor. But if your cat can’t maintain their claws, you may need to help them.

Are you supposed to trim a cat’s claws?

If your cat is active and has plenty of opportunity to scratch, you probably won’t need to trim their claws. As they age, your cat may struggle to maintain their claws.

How to know when to trim them?

If you notice your cat’s claws while they’re resting or if they struggle to retract them, they may be too long. Similarly, if your indoor cat’s claws are catching on the carpet or tapping on hard floors, it could be time for a trim. Overgrown claws can become misshapen and grow into the toe pads. This can be painful and even lead to an infection.

Cutting the claws

First things first. Before cutting your cat’s claws, ensure you have the right tools for the job. Don’t use human clippers; you need to use ones specially designed for cat claws, which you can buy from most pet shops. It helps to have another person who can restrain your cat when cutting their claws. Alternatively, speak to your vet if you’re not comfortable.

According to Cats Protection, here’s how to trim cat claws:

1. Get ready. Make sure you have anything you may need to hand – from clippers to treats. Close windows and doors to prevent your feline from making a break for it!
2. Settle your cat. Try to keep your feline as comfortable as possible, and make sure you have a firm grip.
3. Hold their paw. Pick up their paw and hold it between your forefinger and thumb. Add a little pressure until you can see their claws. Be gentle, and don’t squeeze them.
4. Cut the claw. With appropriate cat nail clippers, cut the very end of the claw. Be careful not to clip too far back – and avoid the quick at the base near the toes (the pink bit). If you nip this bit, it’s painful for your cat, and they’ll bleed. You should only clip the white parts at the very tip.
5. Reward your cat. We think your feline deserves a treat after all that!
6. Repeat! Depending on how comfortable your feline is, it may be best to spread the other paws out over a few days.

Cat claw covers

Sometimes cat claw covers are marketed as a way to protect your furniture if you have an indoor cat. In reality, your feline may find these painful and distressing.

You should never cover your cat’s claws, as it prevents them from carrying out natural behaviours. The covers stop them from being able to retract their claws, so they can’t scratch or groom themselves.