Helping Your New Cat Get Used To Grooming: Tips For You
When you bring the cat you recently adopted home, it may take the two of you a while to get used to one another. After all, cats are complicated creatures with their own unique quirks and habits, and every cat is a little bit different from any other cat. However, one of the important elements of getting used to one another is ensuring that your cat is comfortable with being groomed. Pet grooming is an important part of owning a pet and will help to keep them healthy and their coat beautiful for years to come. Get to know some of the ways that you can help your new cat get used to being groomed and you and your cat will be well on your way to developing a mutually beneficial relationship.
Start With The Ears
Because you and your new cat are still getting used to one another, it is important to build trust before you get into the bulk of your grooming routine. You can start this process by rubbing and examining their ears as your first grooming task.
This is because examining their ears is quick and easy, and most cats enjoy having their ears massaged. When you are examining their ears, look for any areas in which they are missing fur on the outside. Missing fur can be a sign of ear mites, anxiety, or other irritation. The inside of their ears should be free of discharge or earwax and should not be red or hot to the touch.
Take the Brushing Process Slowly
Cats can sometimes have a low tolerance for touch. As such, it can take some time for them to get used to being brushed regularly. You will want to take this process slowly. Start with areas that they like to be petted when you begin the brushing process.
For many cats, this would be the shoulders and the back of their neck (their thickest tuft of hair usually). Brush them gently and slowly for just a minute or two and then give them a break. Each day, increase the amount of time you brush them and the area of their body that you brush. Eventually, you will be able to brush their fur out entirely in one session without issue.
Nail Care and Trimming
If your cat still has all of their claws, nail care and trimming will also be important for your cat. It is also likely going to be the grooming task that they like the least. Start off the process of preparing them for nail care and trimming slowly by gently touching and holding their paws on a regular basis.
Be aware, however, that they may claw you when you do this because cats generally do not like their paws handled. If your cat is overly aggressive when you simply touch their paws do not proceed in trying to trim their nails. Instead take them to your veterinarian for nail trimming services as they can give your cat anesthesia to make the process easier.
Otherwise, once they are used to you handling their paws, try to hold them and trim one set of nails. If this goes well, you can plan on trimming your cat's nails regularly. Otherwise, plan on regular visits to the vet to have this done.
Now that you know more about getting your cat used to the grooming process, you can begin the process and help to forge a good grooming relationship with your new cat.
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