Cats are great at keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they need a little help. When you notice bad breath, excessive hair around the house, and feel sharp claws during play, it might be time for a grooming session.

But how can you groom your feline without looking like the enemy?

The first is the first:

• Keep sessions short. Cats always seem to have better things to do than be engaged in a cuddle session. Try to keep grooming sessions under 15 minutes. Remember, the faster the better!
• Offer tasty treats. Offering treats during the session will keep your feline happy. This will also help create a positive association between grooming sessions and your cat.

For fabulous skin:

• Brush Kitty’s fur once a week. If you want to reduce excess hair at home, try scheduling a weekly brushing session with your kitty. This will not only act as a bonding session with Kitty, but it will also keep her fur in tip top shape so she looks her best.
• Avoid the bathtub. It is well known that cats dislike water, especially a bathtub full of water. Using pet washcloths instead of a full tub of water will make this cleaning experience less scary for a feline. Don’t just use human washcloths, pet stores carry special animal washcloths that have cleaners that are safe to use on animals. To use the cloth, simply wipe it over your cat’s back, face and legs. The cloth will remove dirt, dander flakes and excess hair, making your feline’s coat soft and shiny.

Claw trimming:

• Use Pet Claw Clippers. These nail clippers are a great investment because they are easy to use and can safely trim your kitty’s nails so you don’t have to worry about cutting the claws too short.
• Make sure kitty is relaxed. Try to calm your feline down beforehand so they are relaxed before and during the process. To clip the claws, gently squeeze his paw so that the claws are fully extended. Then, as quickly and safely as you can, cut off the end of each nail. Be sure to avoid the pink part of the nail because it is a nerve and cutting it will cause your cat a lot of pain. Follow the same process for the remaining 3 legs.

Healthy teeth:

• Use a special toothbrush. Pet stores sell toothbrushes made to fit in a cat’s mouth. Unfortunately, brushing your cat’s teeth can be a difficult task to master. Cats don’t like to have their mouths touched, and you may only be able to brush a few teeth the first time you try. Eventually though, you will be able to brush your cat’s entire mouth, just be sure to take your time until your cat is comfortable with brushing sessions.
• Hire a Professional. If your cat is simply not willing to let you brush her teeth, you may need to rely on a professional to keep your kitty’s teeth clean. We have discovered that a lack of feline oral care can lead to cavities and cavities, which can result in a life-threatening disease for a cat. So, in addition to the yearly visit to the vet, you may also want to schedule an oral grooming appointment for your cat.

Implementing these cat grooming tools, tips and tricks will help improve the health of any feline and make them look and feel like the royalty they are.