Coat care
Your cat's coat is not only beautiful and soft, it also has important functions: protecting the skin and providing warmth. For some cats, occasional combing is enough, while others need more intensive grooming.
What coat care does my cat need?
What type of coat care your cat needs depends on the breed. Every cat needs to be combed regularly. Long-haired cats with a woolly undercoat should also be plucked every three months. This prevents matting and makes it easier for the cat to keep herself clean. Plucking is a tricky job. To avoid hurting your cat, it's best to have this done by an experienced cat groomer. An old trick is to apply cornstarch to the coat to remove the undercoat and knots.
How often should I comb or brush my cat?
Many cats don't like being combed and brushed. Yet it is important to do it regularly. Your cat sheds hair all year round and cannot get rid of all those loose hairs herself. Regular brushing prevents matting and keeps her coat in good condition.
Comb a short-haired cat once a week during the shedding period, long-haired cats more often, even daily when the coat mats quickly.
Get a flea comb and a brush with not too sharp points for coat care. Wash your cat with special cat shampoo.
What should I check in my cat's coat?
Your cat's coat says a lot about her health. Therefore it is important to check it regularly. The moment of combing and brushing is a perfect time for this. Check whether:
- the coat is even and has no bald patches;
- your cat has fleas (often recognizable by flea droppings in the coat on the back, just before the tail);
- she has ticks;
- she has an excessive amount of dandruff.
Dandruff or bald patches often indicate an underlying problem. Visit the vet if your cat suffers from this.
My cat does not want to be brushed
Some cats do not tolerate brushing and combing. Don't leave it at that, coat care is too important for that. In this case, go to a cat groomer or vet. In extreme cases, the animal is put under anesthesia for the essential care.
Get your cat used to combing and brushing as a kitten, and she will have no problem with it later in life.