Cat behavior is often a big giveaway. If she is normally bouncy, an unexpected lethargic phase should set off your alarm bells. Occasionally, she may be slightly under the weather and just needs a few extra hours of napping to sleep it off, but if the lethargy continues for a long period, that’s a signal to head for the vet. Other behavioral tips include watching for a good-natured pet suddenly becoming aggressive. Sometimes even the way a cat walks can be an indicator. If the pet’s normally graceful movement becomes off-balance, or it has difficulty walking, this signals a problem.

Cat grooming can be a big indicator that something is wrong. If she grooms itself pretty regularly and then suddenly stops, it could be for a host of reasons. It might be feeling under the weather and not able to expend the energy needed for grooming, or it might be in some kind of pain. Excessive grooming in one spot might indicate either a skin problem or occasionally a nervous tic, signaling some kind of stress in the pet’s life. Cat tips like this can help you recognize the potential significance of changes that might otherwise seem minor.

Teeth should be cleaned regularly, and the mouth should be pink. If you notice the cat eating differently or less regularly, there could be teeth problems or an infection. Bad breath could also indicate problems with the teeth or gums, or even digestive issues. And of course you should always watch for diarrhea or other signs of digestive distress. Following these cat tips and staying on the alert should help you track your pet’s health. If you notice any of these changes, that’s a sign that you need to get things checked by a vet right away.

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Keep in mind that if you don’t trim your cat’s nails, they will figure out other ways of keeping them shortened, like scratching your furniture for instance? This is one more reason to have a good cat scratching post available, as well as keeping their nails trimmed! Here are some steps that work well:

Step One: From the time you bring your cat home, you should practice holding and handling his paws, so that he gets used to the feeling. When you are cuddling and bonding with your cat, just hold and rub each paw a little bit.

Step Two: When you are ready to trim your cat’s nails, be sure there is good, strong light in the room. This will help you be able to see better, and to make sure that you aren’t cutting too close to your cat’s blood vessels.

Step Three: Get your cat grooming tools together before you call your cat. She won’t like it if she has to wait for you to gather things!

Step Four: Hold your cat closely next to you, holding the first paw in your hand. I usually put my cat on my left side and start with his left paw, but I am right handed. You can do these in whichever order works best for you. If you wish you can wrap your cat in a soft towel, which helps him sit still while you are trimming.
Step Five: Hold each toe between your thumb and pointer finger, and press softly together. This will cause the cat’s nail to emerge, and it will be easy to see where to cut. The nail will stay out until you let go.

Step Six: Cut each nail at the point where it begins to curve. It is best to use trimmers that were especially designed for cats. I personally use the “guillotine” style, but you may want to try different styles to find one that works well for you. Some people prefer a regular human nail clipper.

Step Seven: When you first start trimming your cat’s nails, try doing just a few at each sitting. This may help her get used to it faster. Be sure to give your cat lots of pets as you are trimming, and wait a moment in between each nail, to make the experience as pleasant as you can.

Step Eight: If you do accidentally cut into the quick of your cat’s nail and it begins to bleed, press on the tip of her nail with styptic powder (if you have it available), or talcum powder.

Step Nine: Eventually you will be able to clip all of your cat’s nails at one time. Be sure to reward him for good behavior with lots of affection or maybe a little treat.

Lots of great tips about communicating with and caring for cats can be found in Mary Matthew’s book “Ultimate Cat Secrets”. I have been using this as a resource for many occasions and always find it very helpful.

You can learn more about Mary Matthew’s book by visiting her official web site, at Ultimate Cat Secrets.
Wishing all the best to you and your cats!
Beth
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I adore cats, and I believe that every cat and cat lover deserves a happy and harmonious home together. I am always seeking out information about cats and our lives with them, and I enjoy sharing it with other people who enjoy them as much as I do. Please visit my blog at http://www.ourcatsplace.com/ for my latest updates!
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Our male cat is quite a bit larger, and his

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Our two cats love it when I approach them with one of their grooming brushes or combs! Our female cat is petite, and her fur is quite thin, so grooming her is easy, although she is a little hesitant to let me groom her tummy-fur.

Our male cat is quite a bit larger, and his fur is thicker, so grooming him is a little more work, but he is rather fond of having his fur brushed and combed, so when I groom him, he is inclined to lay still and enjoy it. In fact, he often rolls over a few times to let me groom him on all sides.

Grooming a cat is not difficult, unless your cat is the skittish type. Some cats do not like too much stimulation, and may become a little agitated if brushed too long or too rough. In fact, some cats may lash out and scratch after being brushed or combed for even just a few minutes. Seems that they love it, but it becomes too much for them.

So, if you know your cat well enough, try these simple steps to help remove some of that shedding fur. He will thank you, because otherwise he would be licking all that fur, swallowing most of whatever comes loose on his tongue, then vomiting up massive fur-balls. And that cannot be very comfortable!

Most people have an old hair brush and comb around the house (clean ones, of course!), and those items work quite well for home-grooming of cats.

Begin by using a hair brush (one that has bristles that are not too stiff or too sharp). Brush the cat from the top of his head to the tip of his tail, in smooth, light strokes. Do not bear down too hard, as this may cause his skin to become irritated.

Usually, he will let you know by his response to the brushing. If he leans into it for more, he’s appreciating it. If he seems to try ducking away, he is probably not!

Clean the brush periodically to keep already removed fur from being re-deposited back onto the cat. Brush lightly all around his body, or as much as you can access without forcing him into positions he may not appreciate.

Continue brushing until you feel you have removed most of the easily-removed fur.

Next, use the comb-preferably one with fairly fine teeth. Hold the comb at a fairly flat angle against the cat’s body, and lightly stroke from head to tail. You will notice that the comb may become stuck at some points. This usually means there is thicker fur under the top layers which is holding the comb back.
Do not pull too hard, as that may cause pain and irritation. Instead, try to lift the comb a little and pull through that area with several light strokes to remove any fur loose enough to come out with light pressure. We don’t want to strip the fur off the cat!

As you carry out these grooming steps, your cat may let you know that she has had enough by simply trotting away. Some cats may let you groom them for hours; however, cats do need to keep their fur-coats intact, so use discretion!

Some cats will actually roll-over for you to get at their underside, but please use extreme caution there! Cats are quite sensitive to tummy-tickling, but most cat owners already know that! If you are grooming her tummy, stroke very lightly to avoid over-stimulation or injury.

Once you have finished your grooming, it is a good idea to stroke your hand along the cat’s body to help lift any remaining loose fur that may have settled back onto her. Plus, she will appreciate your warm touch against her where you’ve just been brushing. Her newly-groomed fur coat should feel smooth and silky.

Your cat will thank you many times over for your attention to her grooming needs. After all, I would think she may get a little tired of doing it all with her tongue! Cats are normally very fastidious about personal hygiene, so you must also respect that as you groom her.
Do not brush or comb against the normal lay of the fur, and don’t pull too hard, as these may aggravate her. Be as gentle as you can, and, most of all, be sure to talk with your cat while grooming her. She will normally respond with those unmistakable love-eyes, which will reassure you that she appreciates what you are doing for her!

Good luck-and happy grooming!

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Since keeping your cats clean always

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Some cat owners do not pay attention too much on grooming their cats because these little pussy can take care of themselves. Since cats likes to lick their own body to clean up, nevertheless it does not mean that you should not do anything.

Since keeping your cats clean always does not just entails a good licking on the cat’s part, but grooming by removing the loose hair is another way to make them look good. Usually some pet owners use a comb to wipe out the loose hair on their cats. You must make your beloved pet get used to the combing first before trying it to them, or sometimes a combing routine while they are still a kitten helps.

In order to groom your pet, brush your cat’s hair using a comb to their coat starting from their neck down to the tail. Only brush your cat’s hair gliding to their fur’s line because your cats might not enjoy it at all. Once they get irritated it will be harder to keep them still, so before this can happen just simply stop brushing their hair and relax them for a second.

If your pet cat does not enjoy the routine you are doing, try using alternatives such as a grooming globe a soft brush or anything that will fit on your cat. By using these things, simply brush it again on your cat hair in order to remove the dirt from them.

Remember try not to focus too much on your cat’s hair but also check their ears and eyes. Try to see if your cat’s ears are clean and their eyes are clean as well. Grooming has to be detailed to become effective.

One of the most common problems that cats encounter the most is the ear mites. Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of an animal. The treatment for these ear mites is having an anti- parasitic medication that is really effective in treating ears. If they have ear mites, they might have permanent ear problems so make sure to take your pet to a veterinarian if the condition is worse.

If ever you have a cat that has a long hair, then grooming might be a little bit difficult to do, therefore try to trim down some of their hairs so you can groom it easily. Always remember that cats cannot really take care of their fur for one hundred percent, it is why owners has to do some of the work.

Irsan’s passion is to write on variety of subjects. Please visit her latest website at food processor parts which contains reviews on cuisinart 14 cup food processor and other information about food processor parts.
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It is important that a cat’s fur be kept well groomed all year round; this is especially true at times when the coat is being shed. This normally happens in the spring when the thick winter coat is shed and is replaced with a new lighter summer coat. Although a cat will quite happily groom itself, problems arise when they digests large amounts of loose fur which become lodged in the cat’s throat, these are known as fur balls. Fur balls will normally be regurgitated by the cat, but in some extreme cases my become too large and have to be removed by a Vet. Too prevent this from happening regular grooming by the owner will remove the loose fur and prevent the cat from digesting too much.

Longhaired cats require much more frequent grooming by their owners, at least two or three times a week. The fur of a longhaired cat is very thick and has several layers, which is what it them that fluffy look. The cat although able to groom the upper layer easy cannot reach the much finer layers of fur nearest the skin. This is the fur that if left unattended will begin to mat together, causing painful clumps. These clumps or mats of fur get larger and larger if not dealt with promptly and begin to pull and tear the cat’s skin. When the fur is at this stage the only solution is to have the mats cut out by a professional cat groomer, who will shave the affected fur away using special grooming tools. To avoid this situation regular grooming by the owner will prevent these mats from forming.

There are many types of cat combs and brushes on the market especially designed for owners to painlessly and easily be able to groom their cats. Always make sure that the equipment is suited to the type of cats fur, as short haired and longhaired cats require different types of brush. Using the wrong one may cause pain and distress to your cat and not be able to adequately groom the fur.

The following steps will take you through the common process for grooming your cat:
1. Settle your cat down by gently stroking them and getting them in a relaxed frame of mind.

2. Gently part the fur and look for any injuries, lumps or parasites.

3. Check the feet and press the toes gently to see if there are any foreign bodies caught between the toes or in the fur.

4. Clip any long claws using special nail clippers. (Remember not to go near the pink quick of the nail)

5. Gently brush the cat’s fur in the opposite direction to its growth, making sure to get down into the fur closest to the skin.

6. Pay particular attention to the fur around the back legs especially in longhaired cats, as this is one of the areas most prone to matting.

7. Check inside the cat’s ears for any signs of wax of ear mites and clean with a small damp piece of cotton wool if necessary.

8. Wipe eyes with damp cotton wool if there are any signs of discharge.

The more often you groom your cat the more confident you will become and the more excepting your cat will be of the process.

It is generally not necessary to give a cat a bath. However if something gets on the fur that cannot be brushed out, like oil or paint then washing the cats fur is the only option. Remember most cats don’t like water and so bathing your cat may be quite a traumatic experience for you both. Try to keep the situation as calm as possible and always keep water away from the cats face. A cat should never be submerged in water, use jugs of warm water or a light flow from a shower head. Use only special cat shampoos, as it is important not to wash away oils from the cats fur that help to keep the coat in top condition.

More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site http://www.our-happy-cat.com A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.
Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth
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Long haired cats should be groomed daily to keep their coats free from knots, matting and a build up of dead hair. This is a simple and quick process if done regularly before knots can build up, and you should be able to pass a brush through your cat’s coat easily without causing any stress to your cat. You will need a high quality grooming kit which should consist of several brushes and combs for different purposes.

Long Toothed Comb – for general grooming. Work the comb from tip to root to untangle the hair.

Narrow Toothed Comb – for teasing out knots, or removing fleas.

Trimming Scissors – you may need scissors to remove stubborn knots or matting. To do this safely, place a comb underneath the knot to protect your cat’s skin and cut out the knot. Trimming scissors can also be used to remove excess hair from around your cat’s anus if it is interfering with their toilet habits.

Wire, Rubber or Bristle Brush – for removing dead hair and generally conditioning the coat. You should use this brush or the long toothed comb most often for grooming.

Soft Cloth – used damp to clean your cat’s face, especially around the eye area.

There are also many other types of specialist grooming tools available, such as shedding blades, clippers and even hand held grooming vacuums that gently suck away dead hair and dander (dead skin). Different cats will tolerate or even enjoy different grooming tools, so you may have to experiment to find a method and routine that your cat is happy with.

You should start grooming your cat from as early as possible, to get them used to the tools and actions. If your cat really hates being brushed, try out a special grooming glove which can tease out dead hair simply while you stroke.

Some pet owners choose to keep long haired cats indoors, to prevent their hair from getting excessively dirty or knotted while outside. If your cat does get into a bit of a mess, give them a bath using a special cat shampoo, taking care to avoid getting soapy water in their ears, eyes, mouth or nose. After bathing, towel dry your cat to remove all excess water and then blow dry with a hairdryer set on a low heat.

Grooming your cat regularly isn’t needed just to keep your cat looking great – it is also important for their health. Like all cats, long haired breeds spend a lot of time grooming themselves, however ingesting a large amount of hair can cause excessive hairballs and blockages in their digestive tract. Matted fur can also cause a great deal of discomfort to your cat, since the hair is pulled tighter as the knot worsens. Severe matting can result in skin irritation or even infection if not treated.

If you are grooming your cat at least twice a week it should take no more than a few minutes to restore your cat’s coat to a silky soft sheen, which is highly preferably to wrestling with knots or tangles on a cat that hasn’t been brushed in days or weeks. Take the time to groom your cat regularly to prevent serious problems building up.

Not only is spending time grooming your cat the responsible thing to do, but it can also be a great way to bond with your cat.

All cats needs a nutritious and balanced diet to keep them healthy, and good coat condition starts from the inside. There are some specialty cat foods available for long haired cats. These foods are high in the nutrients needed to keep your cat’s coat looking healthy and shiny, as well as for aiding in the elimination of hairballs.
Shower your long haired cat with a little extra grooming attention and they will thank you for it by leaving less shed hair around your home, and letting you run your hands over their silky soft fur.

For Great Deals on Grooming Products visit The Cat Pet Shop. If you want more great tips, advice or cat information the visit The Cat Pet Shop’s Blog.
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