Brushing

Your cat will benefit by the proper treatment of their coat. Regular brushing will keep the coat clean and healthy, stimulate the skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It will also help to prevent hairballs, which are the result of loose hair being picked up by the cat's tongue and then swallowed. These hairs sometimes accumulate in the cat's stomach forming hairballs which can be harmful to the cat.

There are basic brushing techniques depending upon your cat’s coat. The time you spend on brushing will also depend upon if they are an indoor or outdoor cat. Indoor cats tend not to be brushed as often.

• Short Haired.
Comb your short hair every three to four days using a small comb with close teeth. Start at the back of the neck and work your way down to the tail. Be careful around sensitive areas and the hindquarters

• Long Haired
You have to pay special attention to long haired cats and it will require time to groom. Clumps of fecal matter can cling to the hair and must be cleaned regularly.

To make it easier to groom, sprinkle corn starch or Fuller’s earth through the coat. Use a wide tooth comb and remove tangles paying special attention to britches, tail, and stomach.

Even with daily combing, her coat may get a greasy build up on the tummy and mats will form. If you get mats, remove these with a blunt scissor and avoid trying to detangle with a comb. If mats are no removed they can twist into snarls and cause discomfort from the skin pinching.

Use a soft brush on the hair framing her neck and brush away from the body.

Long haired cats grow toe tufts. Trim this and brush as well.

Professional groomers can aid in trims every 6-8 weeks.


Trimming Claws and Declawing

It will be necessary to trim you cat’s claws from time to time. If you plan on keeping your cat indoors fulltime this will be necessary to minimize scratching damage. Clipping should be done once a month.

How to trim:
• Firmly, but gently press down on the pad to extend the claw
• View the claws from the side to see the quick (pink area)
• Clip above the quick link
• Follow up with a nail file

Declawing
There is much debate on this topic. It is a personal preference and there as several considerations to take into account prior to the surgery.

• Your cat will have to be a fulltime indoor cat
• Behavioral changes may occur with the loss
• Cat may start to using teeth on items to compensate for loss of claws

If you do decide to proceed with surgery, find a qualified vet to perform the procedure. Recovery time is usually a week following surgery. We recommend that you speak with a vet prior to making a decision as well as owners of other de-clawed cats.


Ears & Eyes

Ears
Clean her ears either before or after her bath. Use a cotton swab dipped in plain warm water or an ear cleaning solution available from your vet. Just remove dirt and excess was from the ear flap. Never probe inside the ear canal. It’s important to take preventive measures and check for problems before they become significant health risks to your cat.

Eyes
How to clean eyes:

• Wipe eyes with a moistened cotton ball
• To remove tear track stains, paint them with either cornstarch or boric acid mixed into a paste with a little peroxide. Be careful around the eyes.
• Apply the paste with a cotton swab.
• Rinse and dry.
• A litter petroleum jelly in the area will prevent further stains
• Wipe cheeks with a damp cloth or baby toothbrush to rid eye matter

If redness persists, cloudiness, swelling, excessive tearing, or pus exists. Consult your vet.


Teeth

Just like we need to brush our teeth daily, so does your cat. This is often overlooked. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a number of diseases in the mouth and ultimately infections can lead to internal problems.

• Brushing is recommended daily, but twice a week should suffice.
• Yearly dental exams by your vet along with a professional cleaning is recommended
• Start brushing routine as a kitten
• For older cats not used to cleanings, start with a little food on a cloth and rub on teeth. Gradually move to cat toothpaste on a cloth or small brush
• Don’t use human toothpaste! Buy special tooth paste for canines.
• Have your cat sit or lie on its side. Gently lift upper lip and brush teeth a couple at a time. Work your way around the upper teeth and then move to lower region
• Gum massaging is enjoyable by your cat and also helps prevent disease and the build up of tarter


Bathing

Depending upon if you have a long haired or short haired cat, some cats will need to be bathed more often than others. The longer the coat or more dense, the more often a bath is needed. Your cat’s lifestyle and habits will also dictate frequency. Baths are necessary when fleas occur or your cat has dandruff. Baths also wash away allergies that can cause sneezing or itching for your cat as well as you as owner.

Start bathing you cat at an early age and make it fun! Remember to use shampoos specially created for cats. Human shampoos can irritate ears and eyes as well as cause skin irritations.

There are two types of baths to give to your cat:

• Wet Bath

Wet Bath Bathing Techniques:

• Choose a warm draft free area for a bath. Bathtubs and laundry sinks are good areas.
• Brush your dog prior to bathing to rid excess hair
• Use lukewarm, not hot water.
• Enlist a buddy to help into tub and hold still
• Lather from top to toe avoiding ears and eyes. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of soap
• Towel off as much water and keep warm until coat is completely dry
• Don’t use your hairdryer on a hot setting; you can burn your cat’s sensitive skin.
• Long hair cats will require continual combing so there are no tangles.

• Dry Bath

If you don’t feel up to giving a wet bath, you can accomplish the same with a dry. There are a number of dry shampoo products on the market. Sprinkle the powder through the coat and brush it through and off the coat. Use a towel to remove any excess.


Litter and Litter Boxes

Cats can be very fussy about their litter box, its cleanliness, location and the type of litter used. If your cat is not happy with its box, type of litter or location, they may relieve themselves somewhere else. The remedy is to make sure that your litter box is clean and located in a comfortable spot for your cat. And remember, even the best cats may need reminders from time to time about their litter box and appropriate use.

Choosing a Litter Box
A full-size litter box, available from your pet store is appropriate for your cat. Kittens may use a smaller box. It should be made of a non-absorbent material, like plastic, for easy cleaning with soap and warm water and to prevent odors from being absorbed by the box. It is recommended that you use a liner with any box for ease of cleanup. Some boxes will come with a cover for added privacy of your cat. Mechanical automated litter boxes are also available at a premium cost.

Placing the Litter Box
When selecting a location for your cat's litter box, choose a quiet, out-of-the-way place that is easily accessible and will ensure your cat's privacy. Keep the litter box away from the cat's eating and sleeping quarters, but still within easy reach. Once you choose a location, don't move it or you might confuse your cat. If you have more than one cat , ensure that each has its own box and they are placed in separate areas.

Litters
There are two types of litters, clumping (sand) and clay litter. Clumping litter will need to be disposed of after each use and some can be flushed down the sewage system. Clay is the most common litter and the least expensive. Your cat may have a preference for one type or another.

Switching Fillers
At first, your cat may reject a new litter because it smells and feels different. Ease your cat into the new brand slowly to reduce stress and confusion. Begin by mixing one-third of the new litter with two-thirds of the old. Then, gradually increase the amount of the new litter until your cat becomes used to it.

How Much Litter Should You Use?
Maintain a depth of about three inches. Kittens will need less.

Cleaning the Litter Box
Cats do not like to use a dirty litter box and will choose another location if they are dissatisfied with the environment provided for them. Clay litter should be cleaned daily by removing the waste. It should be completely changed once a week. The box itself will need to be occasionally disinfected on a regular basis to remove odors.

Disposing of Litter
When disposing of litter, wrap it in two bags and tie it securely. Do not flush the litter down the toilet as it can be extremely harmful to plumbing. As some clumping litter may be flushable, but may not be friendly to septic tanks, it is a good idea to bag instead of flush your litter.

Do not use cat box filler as a fertilizer in your garden. Dumping cat waste in your garden will not only attract flies and neighborhood cats, it will be unhealthy to you if you eat fruits and vegetables fertilized by concentrated amounts of it.