Basics of Cat Grooming

Cat grooming may sound like a difficult task, but it really isn’t. Long-haired cats are going to require more grooming than short-haired cats. The earlier you get your cat used to grooming, the better. Here are some basics of cat grooming.

Brushing- Your cat needs to be regularly brushed in order to prevent them from getting hairballs. As a general rule, long-haired cats should be brushed every other day while short-haired cats should be brushed once a week. Before spring arrives, your cat may need to be brushed more often since this is when they shed their winter coat.




De-matting- Some cats, especially long-haired ones, can get mats easily and they can be rather painful. The safest way to get rid of mats on your cat is by using clippers. This is a two-person task since someone will need to hold the cat while the other uses the clippers.

Bathing- Depending on the breed of your cat, while decide on how often they will need to be bathed. If you have been bathing your cat since they were a kitten, you shouldn’t have much issues. However, if you don’t give your cat frequent baths, it may be a bit of a struggle since cats don’t like water very much. The trick is to get them bathed and do it fast.

Related: The 4 Best Cat Shampoos that Kitty Will Love Too!

Nail clipping- Clipping your cat’s nails should be done about once a month. Again, this is another two-person task since someone needs to hold the cat while the other person clips their nails. Some cats don’t mind their nails being trimmed while other cats absolutely hate it. Be careful that you don’t clip into the triangular pink area of their nails, since this will cause pain and bleeding. Also, you pretty much only need to clip the front claws, unless the back ones require clipping.

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Ear cleaning- Cat’s ears get dirty just like ours do, so they need to be cleaned about twice a month. Some cat breeds will produce more wax in their ears than others. Cleaning your cat’s ears require using a cotton ball to get rid of the wax, dirt and debris buildup in their ears. Only clean the parts of your cat’s ears that are visible.

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  • robin rue

    Thanks for the cat cleaning tips. I had no idea their ears needed to be cleaned 🙂

  • candy

    Okay when we had cats I am going to be honest and say we never groomed our. We petted them endlessly but honestly never knew we were suppose to brush them. Good information.

  • Alli Smith

    I was always a little leery about clipping my cat’s nails. I was always afraid I would hurt her so I left it to the expert – my daughter. These grooming tips are so helpful.

  • Anita Anderson

    I do not have a cat but these basics tips at cat grooming are great. I didn’t know that you also had to clean its ears as they get wax just like people do.

  • Jeanette

    I have a friend that has three cats and I’m not sure she knows what to do for grooming. This is a great post to share with her.

  • Guest

    Thanks for the cat cleaning tips. I had no idea their ears needed to be cleaned 🙂

  • Anosa

    Never had a cat pet and this post gave me some knowledge. Thanks for the cleaning tips. Good to share to cat lovers too.

  • Guest

    Okay when we had cats I am going to be honest and say we never groomed our. We petted them endlessly but honestly never knew we were suppose to brush them. Good information.

  • Guest

    I was always a little leery about clipping my cat’s nails. I was always afraid I would hurt her so I left it to the expert – my daughter. These grooming tips are so helpful.

  • Guest

    I do not have a cat but these basics tips at cat grooming are great. I didn’t know that you also had to clean its ears as they get wax just like people do.

  • Guest

    I have a friend that has three cats and I’m not sure she knows what to do for grooming. This is a great post to share with her.

  • Sarah Bailey

    This is such an interesting post, my Mums cat loves being brushed but you would never manage to clip her claws yourself. That said she is an outdoor cat so I don’t think they need doing too often, if at all.

  • Jaime Nicole

    These are great tips for cat owners! I have dogs – but I love cats. That’s a really cool picture of the cat’s tongue, btw!

  • Guest

    Never had a cat pet and this post gave me some knowledge. Thanks for the cleaning tips. Good to share to cat lovers too.

  • lisa

    These are great tips. My cats don’t mind the brushing or the nail trimming, but they hate having their mats cut off and they don’t care for bath time.

  • Guest

    This is such an interesting post, my Mums cat loves being brushed but you would never manage to clip her claws yourself. That said she is an outdoor cat so I don’t think they need doing too often, if at all.

  • Pam

    Nail clipping on cats is important to save your furniture. And because it’s just better for them, too!

  • Guest

    These are great tips for cat owners! I have dogs – but I love cats. That’s a really cool picture of the cat’s tongue, btw!

  • Betty

    I have a cat but I was told they don’t need to be bathed? I haven’t bathed her since I got her, oh no! Will consult her vet. She did fall into a filled bathtub once by accident though…

  • Guest

    These are great tips. My cats don’t mind the brushing or the nail trimming, but they hate having their mats cut off and they don’t care for bath time.

  • Guest

    Nail clipping on cats is important to save your furniture. And because it’s just better for them, too!

  • Guest

    I have a cat but I was told they don’t need to be bathed? I haven’t bathed her since I got her, oh no! Will consult her vet. She did fall into a filled bathtub once by accident though…

  • Maurene Cab

    That’s first time I saw a cat’s tongue up close! I don’t have cats but these tips are truly helpful for those who do.

  • Guest

    That’s first time I saw a cat’s tongue up close! I don’t have cats but these tips are truly helpful for those who do.

  • valmg @ Mom Knows It All

    It’s great to start grooming cats early to get them used to it. I personally do prefer to let a professional handle trimming nails.

  • Sandy N Vyjay

    These are some great tips to groom cats. I do not have a cat but my friends are cat lovers and they keep saying that it needs to be looked after like a small baby. Will share these tips with them. 🙂

  • Jenny

    I didn’t even know you had to groom cats. I thought they took care of everything themselves. My kids want a cat so all of this is good to know.

  • Guest

    It’s great to start grooming cats early to get them used to it. I personally do prefer to let a professional handle trimming nails.

  • Guest

    These are some great tips to groom cats. I do not have a cat but my friends are cat lovers and they keep saying that it needs to be looked after like a small baby. Will share these tips with them. 🙂

  • Guest

    I didn’t even know you had to groom cats. I thought they took care of everything themselves. My kids want a cat so all of this is good to know.

  • Kiwi

    I really thought cats groom themselves. well this is good info for cat owners.

  • My Teen Guide

    Thanks for these tips. My fur balls don’t really like their ears cleaned so when it is time to do that, I haul them off to the vet.

  • Amanda Dorich

    Great tips! I am super allergic to cats but will pass along to my mother in law!

  • Guest

    I really thought cats groom themselves. well this is good info for cat owners.

  • Guest

    Thanks for these tips. My fur balls don’t really like their ears cleaned so when it is time to do that, I haul them off to the vet.

  • Guest

    Great tips! I am super allergic to cats but will pass along to my mother in law!