by Angela Rednour

Created on: December 21, 2009   Last Updated: December 22, 2009

How to Groom a Cat

Cats have always been called one of the cleanest animals. They may enjoy a quick roll in the dirt when spring times comes, but before you know it their fur will be dust free and shiny once more. It's no surprise then, that the amount of grooming required for cats in minimal. They don't require regular baths and, unless you have a long haired cat, no brushing either.

However, there are several things you can do to help keep your kitty clean and if done regularly can even help you in recognizing a health issue, should one arise, before it becomes a major problem. If done at least once a month, these grooming techniques shouldn't take more than ten minutes to complete. Although many of these steps are quite simple in theory, it may be wise to have an extra person on hand to help keep the cat under control and in once place.

Start with the head. It only takes a quick look to make sure the eyes, nose and ears are clean and can tell you a lot about your cat's health. Their eyes should be clear and free of crusty or gooey gunk. Occasionally they will have this and it means nothing, simply wipe it away with a damp cloth. If you notice this in your animal a lot, however, and it's of a yellow or green color, your cat probably has an infection. This is also the case with the nose. It's also important to keep the ears clear of dirt to prevent ear mites and infections. To clean them, take a cotton ball, wet it and squeeze it out. Then wipe away the dirt. Never use a Q-tip for this purpose as it will only push the dirt further into the ear and can cause infection.

Next, move to the body of your animal. Run a hand over every part of your cat, making sure there are no mats or foreign objects stuck in their fur.  This is good for long haired and outdoor cats. Be sure to check in-between the paws as well.

Twigs, prickles and the like are usually easy to remove just by pulling them out, but mats can be more difficult. Never cut mats out of a cat's fur, especially if they are big and near the skin. Also, don't bathe your cat until you get the mats out as the water will make them even tighter and more painful for your pet. The best way to remove mats is to use a metal comb from the pet store that resembles one you might use on your own hair. Mats will usually come out fairly easy by combing under the mat, placing your thumb on the knot and pulling gently till it comes out in your hand.

Once these steps are complete take a look at your cat's claws. Outdoor

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