Care of the fur of cats
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
After a good washing, your cat will look (and feel) perfectly.
By nature cats are extremely scrupulous. You must not doubt this, because you saw your cat wash several times a day. Basically, she can take great care of herself, but sometimes she needs you to help her a little.
Caring for the hair is as pleasant as possible - for both of you
Care of the cat's fur should be pleasant for both of you, so do it when the cat is relaxed, perhaps after playing or eating. It is necessary that the animal has pleasant memories of this procedure, so do not lose self-control. If you have had a hard day or have a bad mood, maybe now is not the best time to care for the cat's fur.
The first hair care sessions should be short - only 5 - 10 minutes. Gradually increase the time until your pet is accustomed to this order. Also, the animal should be trained to be taken in hand. Take for the rule of ironing the cat completely - including the ears, tail, stomach and back, and especially the legs!
And remember that a little patience can play an important role. If the cat is very tense, interrupt the session and try again when it calms down. Unfortunately, most cats do not like to take a bath, so you may need someone else's help. And do not forget to praise the cat and give her a treat after the end of the session.
Combing of wool
Regular brushing sessions with a brush or comb will help maintain the good condition of your pet's coat. This procedure removes dirt, distributes natural grease over the wool, prevents the formation of coils, and the skin remains clean and without irritation.
If your cat is short-haired, you need to comb her hair only once a week:
- First, a metal comb comb her hair from head to tail.
- Then, using a bristle or rubber brush, remove dead and dropped hairs.
- Especially gently comb out the chest and stomach.
If your cat has a long coat, it must be combed daily:
- First, comb the abdomen and legs. Be sure to untangle all the nodes.
- Then comb the hair upwards with a bristle or rubber brush.
- To comb the tail, make parting in the middle and comb the hair on each side.