Afternoon Grooming for My Cats
Every day is grooming day here at my farm.
Although cats are naturally meticulous about keeping themselves clean, I’ve always believed that regular brushing, combing, and bathing are important parts of keeping them healthy, comfortable, and looking their best. Four of my seven cats are long-haired and live in my Winter House: Magnolia, my silver-shaded Persian; Dahlia, my dilute-calico Persian; Lilium, my brown Persian longhair; and Chrysanthemum, my chocolate Persian. Every afternoon, each cat is groomed - faces and ears are gently cleaned, nails are checked and trimmed when necessary, and coats are carefully combed.
Enjoy these photos!
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- This is Lilium – very friendly and always ready for a good rub. The cats know when it is grooming time. Sometimes they go downstairs to their grooming station in the basement on their own. Sometimes it’s a little more challenging to find them.
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- This is Chrysanthemum, the latest Persian to join my clowder. Here she is in the enclosed porch where the “kitty buffet” is served for all the cats in my Winter House.
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- This is Dahlia, the youngest of my Winter house cats. On this afternoon, it was pouring outside, so the cats were watching the rain from my enclosed porch.
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- But first up for grooming is Magnolia. Magnolia’s face is gently cleaned with a cloth to help remove dirt and any stains.
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- Her ears are also carefully inspected for any abnormalities. Regularly checking a cat’s ears, eyes, and skin helps detect problems early, prevent infections, and catch underlying health issues before they worsen. My cats are very healthy and have no issues whatsoever.
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- I use ear wipes specifically made for veterinary use to carefully clean around the outside of the ear canal – never inside. Since this is done regularly, there is little dirt, but it is also good practice, so the cats are comfortable being handled.
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- Elvira combs with one hand and uses the other to hold the fur down where she is combing – this prevents pulling, which could be uncomfortable.
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- This time of year, as the seasons change, most cats, especially long‑haired, double‑coated, or outdoor cats, tend to shed a little more. This is a normal biological response to shorter daylight hours, and cooler temperatures.
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- Magnolia doesn’t seem to mind the daily grooming session and stays pretty still the entire time.
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- Next up is Dahlia. She is the youngest of my felines, but is also very well-behaved on the grooming table.
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- It’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. My cats are brushed every day to keep their coats as tangle-free as possible. Baths are done only when needed.
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- Always be sure to introduce a cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.
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- Magnolia watches from below – maybe she wants a second turn.
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- Adult cats primarily meow to humans, not to other cats. I wonder if Chrysanthemum is asking to be groomed next.
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- Chrysanthemum lies down for her grooming – almost falling asleep.
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- She does not even need extra support during her grooming time – she enjoys a good brushing.
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- Afterward, Chrysanthemum is quite content just napping on the grooming table.
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- The biggest of the four is Lilium. On this day, she needed a little more coaxing to get brushed.
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- Lilium prefers to watch the other cats get groomed first before her turn.
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- Soon after grooming, it’s upstairs for Magnolia to get a little drink and snack.
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- And for Chrysanthemum, a little rest and nap. Grooming cats often and regularly… it’s a good thing.
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