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2torial #0885:
Learn2 Groom a Cat (continued)
Part 3: Brush the fur
"A healthy cat is a happy cat," and brushing
your cat will contribute to the overall process of
keeping your cat healthy. Brushing removes fur
which might otherwise become a hairball. Brushing
improves blood circulation near the skin of a cat,
which contributes to a healthy and shiny coat, and
will make your cat the envy of all other
neighborhood cats.
- Avoid wet cat fur. If you have just
given your cat a bath, be sure it's completely
dry before brushing it. Otherwise, the fur will
be difficult to work with.
- Direction of the fur: Brush your cat
in the direction the fur grows. Be sure not to
brush too hard, making it cringe and struggle to
get away. Brush as much of your cat as it will
allow. In general, you should avoid the head.
Some cats, however, are partial to
cheek-brushing; others are not. Some cats won't
allow brushing on their underbelly; others will.
Be gentle and discover what your cat likes best.
- Quality time: Brushing can be a very
loving experience between owner and pet. Take
the opportunity to turn it into a ritual where
time can be set aside for just you two to bond.
Books are available on cat massage so you can
learn which techniques it likes best.
- Flea removal: A wonderful alternative
to flea powder--and a far safer one--is to use a
fine-toothed flea comb, which can be purchased
at most pet stores or through your vet. By
running this small comb through the fur, you can
remove most of the fleas, and even the flea
eggs, from your cat. Make sure they're dead
after they're off your cat, or else they can
jump on again. If you're not sure if they're
dead or alive, you can drop them in water with a
few drops of ordinary dishwashing liquid mixed
in.
-end-
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