Cat Grooming

The cat is a clean animal. You only have to watch it washing itself to be assured of the fact. The activity of washing is an instinct and often goes beyond mere cleanliness. It is also a way for the cat to cool itself, get rid of sweat and eliminate any dead hairs or other impurities that may be caught in its fur. And by using its teeth and claws it also gets rid of parasites. In addition, by licking itself the cat imbibes small quantities of vitamin D which the sun has produced on its coat. The mother cat teaches her kittens to wash. From birth she licks them often and for a long time, and so teaches them to be clean. Amusingly, kittens pick up the idea quickly and are soon licking each other and mum, too.

The cat cleans itself at every opportunity. It performs extraordinary contortions to reach the apparently- inaccessible parts of its body. It is equipped with the perfect tools for the job: a rough tongue which works like a brush, claws and teeth and even the pads of its feet, with which it rubs the damp fur.

But it cannot reach absolutely every part. The inside of the ear, for instance, the nostrils, the teeth and the anal gland are inaccessible and the cat needs your help to clean these. This should be done gently and slowly since cats hate rough treatment.

For a shorthaired cat a firm but gentle brush over in the direction of the hair, once or twice a week will suffice. A damp wool rag rubbed over the coat will keep it glossy. Longhaired cats need more complicated grooming. They need brushing and combing out against the lie of the hair and a flea comb should be used regularly on them to get rid of any parasites or bits of garden debris picked up in the fur, and also to prevent knotting. This should be followed by a final brush over.

Cats can be bathed but only very occasionally, otherwise the natural oils in the coat will be destroyed. The water should be tepid and the head kept out of the bath. The cat should be rinsed and immediately and thoroughly dried. Once a week the eyes, nose, ears, mouth and anal gland should be checked.