5 Tips for Keeping Your Cat Clean

Cats like to keep their coats clean. They keep licking and grooming themselves. Usually, you do not need to bathe them and use shampoo on them regularly. But, sometimes, your little furry friend requires extra attention. They require extra attention to keep their teeth, ears, and eyes in good shape. Their fur also needs extra grooming to prevent matting or tangling. Brushing their teeth and coat and checking their eyes and ears every other day is always a good option. Here are some steps to keep your feline friend clean and hygienic.

Bathing

Cats do not like water, which does not help much when you try to bathe them. However, cats love to groom themselves, so you do not need to give them baths as frequently as dogs. A cat has essential oils in its skin, and overbathing can remove them, which can cause dryness. An occasional bath removes dirt from the fur. You can give a bath to your cat more frequently if it has long or dense hair and spends much time outdoors. Do not forget to place a non-skid mat in the sink or the tub you use. Using a rubber or non-skid mat, keep your wet feline friend from slipping away. Take the advice of your vet about the products and how to use them. Many flea treating products are unsafe for kittens, so taking your vet's advice is necessary.

Brushing

Brushing cats with short hair every other day is enough. It keeps their fur soft, smooth, and shiny and helps remove loose hair to avoid tangles and knots. However, you have to brush cats with long hair several times a week, or sometimes daily. You can comb your cat's fur before brushing it, which makes it easier to use a fine brush on the coat. After combing, use a stiff-bristled brush to collect more shed hairs. Brushing your cat's teeth daily is recommended, but most cat owners only manage to do it twice or thrice a week. It is also enough to prevent your cat's teeth from harmful bacteria. Giving a healthy diet is also an integral part of keeping your feline friend's dental health in good condition. Cat Food Point tells you all about the dry, wet, and grain-free foods that are good for your cat's overall health.

Cleaning Eyes

Keeping your cat's eyes clean and healthy is an essential task. Your cat's eyes are healthy if they are glassy and clear. Try using a flashlight to check your feline friend's year. Keeping a check on its eyes and ears every other day is recommended. Prevention is better than cure. You can wipe the light discharge you find around your cat's eyes corner. You can use a cotton ball or washcloth and warm water to do it. Applying a small amount of gentle pressure to the sides of the eyes is also ideal. It removes the residue from its eyes.

Cleaning Ears

Your furry friend's ears are healthy if they are light pink. A little bit of wax or dirt is usual. Using a cotton ball to swab the inside of your feline's ear is a good practice. Clean what you can see is a good rule to avoid going too deep in your cat's ears. Using a cotton swab is a big no to clean your feline's ears. Visit your vet as soon as you see any signs of infections. Redness, strange odors, and swelling are the common symptoms of infection. Some cat owners also report unusual behavior changes, a partial loss of vision, and hearing after infection in the eyes and ears.

Nail Clipping

A scratching post or any similar object is one of the most natural ways to wear down your kitten nails. Cats retract their claws effortlessly, but kittens are not very good at it. You need to clip their nails carefully when they grow too long. Buy a good nail clipper from the vet shop or any retailer. You can speak to a vet or vet nurse if you want a demonstration before clipping your cat's nails. A quick suggestion is to take a little amount from your cat's nail tip every time you clip its nails. Adding treats in this process is also a decent way to make your cat more comfortable.

You do not need to be extra attentive if you have more than one cat at your place. Cats groom themselves giving you less work to do. However, having only one cat at your home increases the work, so there are always chances of mistakes and procrastination. Visiting a vet is always recommended because of some underlying oral problems, stubborn tangles, health diseases, and more. It is normal for a cat owner not to perform all grooming tasks ideally. Keep trying your best to make your furry friend look clean, hygienic, and healthy.