How You Can Make Your Cat’s Coat Looking Glorious
“I love cats because I enjoy my home, and little by little they become its visible soul.” –Jean Cocteau
Every cat owner knows that a healthy cat is a happy cat, that maybe won’t boss us around as much (one can hope). Cats need very little to be happy, some good food, a clean place to do their business and the rest of your home at their unlimited disposal. They are very clean animals and take care of themselves quite well, however, it is our job as owners to help them out a bit. So here are some great pieces of advice on how to keep your furry masters coat both healthy and shiny.
Deciding on how much grooming your cat actually needs
As you know, not all cat breeds have the same needs, so it is important to determine how much grooming your furry friend needs and, of course, what kind. A lot of it depends on the length and quality of fur, as well as the age of the cat and the quality of nutrition. Most long-haired cats need a bit more grooming in comparison to their short coat counterparts. In addition, as your cat gets older it might start forgetting to do the grooming on their own so you have to step in, as well as in the cases where your furball has put on an extra pound or two making certain parts of their body hard to reach. So, in essence, you need to pay close attention to your cat’s behavior and adjust the grooming routine accordingly.
Use the right tools and products
What we use for grooming is very important, it has to be suited to our cat’s coat. There are different brushes and combs and one must be careful when choosing. For long-haired ones of the must-have grooming tools is a quality Furminator for cats, it helps with the shedding, allows you to reach deep beneath the long topcoat to gently remove undercoat and loose hair. The next must-haves are rubber grooming pads, they not only get rid of external loose hair but also provide you with a chance to massage your cat’s skin. For hair mats, it is best to use a fine-toothed comb in combination with a sprinkle of talcum powder.
Don’t go overboard with bathing
With the exception of Sphynxes, most cats don’t require bathing. This is definitely a good thing since they are not really big fans of it. However, if your cat loves to wander outside a lot, then a bath or two is definitely in the cards for you. If you think that the first is superficial you can try a rub down with special cat wipes. But if that doesn’t do the trick it is time for an actual bath. It won’t be a big problem if your cat is used to it from a young age, however, if it is an older cat, the experience will be, let’s say, unique. So take it slowly, don’t rush and have a bit of patience. You should get a specially formulated moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and prepare a small washing bowl, you should definitely avoid submerging your cat completely. Use a soft sponge and gently give your cat a rub down and then rinse and dry. The fur will look fantastic, shiny, clean and soft, although you might expect your cat to be a bit grumpy after the whole ordeal.
Nutrition is vital
You can do all the grooming you want, but if your cat is not getting the vitamins and minerals it needs there will be issues with coat health. It is important to establish a proper, well-balanced diet that is rich in protein and vitamin E. This means not only focusing on the best cat food available on the market but also taking into consideration the importance of ingredients that will ensure a healthy coat. And in cases where a vet determines a deficit of certain vitamins, you can consider supplementing them directly, as long as it takes to get your cat looking and feeling great. Finally, if you want to avoid giving your furry feline the same meals a day in and day out, you can opt to prepare some home cooked meals and introduce some raw foods that are rich in essential nutrients responsible for maintaining your cats healthy and shiny coat.
These are some essential tips for having a cat with beautiful, healthy and shiny fur. But don’t expect your cat to be too grateful, after all, we all know that the cats are firm believers getting whatever they want from their owners, and of boosting everyone in the household around. But that’s why we love them!