My Clean, Well-Groomed Cats
So many of you love hearing about my pets and seeing photos of them here on my blog. I am happy to report - they're all doing very well, including my three clean, well-groomed cats.
I've always been a firm believer in regular brushing, combing, and bathing my pets. My cats are brushed every single day and bathed about once a month. And, since I started grooming them when they were young, they actually enjoy the process - sometimes they even fall asleep.
Enjoy these photos.
-
- Blackie is my greenhouse cat. He loves people and is always ready for a rub or some playtime.
-
- Ryan is in charge of keeping Blackie well-groomed. Here he is getting brushed – I wish you could hear him purr.
-
- Blackie loves his neck brushed also.
-
- And here, Ryan is brushing his back. Notice – he stays still on his own. Blackie is shorthaired, so Ryan brushes his coat once a week and checks it for ticks and burs every day.
-
- What a handsome boy you are, Blackie.
-
- Then it’s off to my Winter House to bathe my two dominant calico Persians, Empress Tang and Princess Peony. Do you want to be first, my lovely Tang?
-
- Bath time takes place in the big laundry room in my Winter House basement. I have two large, deep enameled sinks there, which are good for soaping and rinsing. Here’s Enma making sure the water temperature is just right.
-
- Enma soaps Tang and then runs a comb gently through her coat. Cats have built-in grooming tools and do a lot of self-grooming. Longhaired cats require a bit more grooming care than shorthaired cats. My cats are longhaired, and very active, so bathing is a necessity. Always use a good quality shampoo specifically made for pets.
-
- Enma is very careful not to get the face wet. She uses a warm towel to gently clean around her eyes and mouth. Cats do not like getting water in their ears or nasal passages. In general, cats are skittish about water. The key is to make it a gentle and positive experience. Enma talks to the cats throughout the entire process. It’s also good to schedule baths when the cat is most relaxed.
-
- Tang is rinsed, conditioned, and then rinsed again.
-
- Removing all traces of shampoo and conditioner is crucial in preventing skin irritations.
-
- After her bath, Tang is wrapped in a large terry towel for drying. Be sure to dry in an area free from drafts. Tang is very affectionate, and loves being swaddled, held, and petted.
-
- And then, with the dryer on the lowest heat setting, Tang is dried and combed thoroughly. It’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. Tang and Peony have been brushed since they were kittens, so they are very relaxed during grooming time.
-
- Enma also checks to see if any of Tang’s nails need trimming. Pet nails grow quickly, so it is important to check them often and trim whenever needed. And only cut the white part of the nail – never the pink part, which is called the quick – this is where the nerve and blood vessels are located.
-
- Enma uses the towel to gently wipe Tang’s ears. Her ears are very clean.
-
- Tang also enjoys being brushed and stays still for much of her grooming session. Here she is on her side while her tail is combed.
-
- Princess Peony is bathed in the same way, with lukewarm water and special pet shampoo. Here, Enma checks Peony’s feet to see if there is any dirt stuck in between or around the nails.
-
- Peony is such a good girl in the bath.
-
- Once on the grooming table, Peony actually begins to fall asleep.
-
- A good, durable comb is a must-have for grooming. Always be sure to introduce the cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.
-
- Grooming time is not only a good opportunity to get your pets looking clean and beautiful – it’s also a wonderful time to bond with them and check for any other possible abnormalities to the coat and skin.
-
- And in less than an hour, they’re both “free” to roam. My cats definitely like their routines – they like to eat and go out at the same times and they like to sleep and lounge in the same places. Peony and Tang are very healthy and happy.
-
- Meanwhile, Blackie is back outdoors in the shade of the beech hedge and behind these beautiful Nasturtium leaves. How often do you groom your feline friends? Share your comments below.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
