How to groom a cat: brushing, claws, ears and baths
Which comb to use, how often to brush a short or long coat, how to trim claws without hitting the quick, and when to leave a mat to a groomer.
Knowing how to groom a cat at home mostly comes down to a metal comb, a claw clipper made for cats, and a few minutes at a time. Brush a short coat once a week and a long coat every day, and trim the claw tips about every two weeks. Most cats never need a bath. Leave mats that sit tight against the skin to a groomer or your vet.
How to groom a cat's coat
How often to groom a cat depends on the coat.
| Coat | Tools | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Short | Fine-toothed metal comb, plus a bristle brush or rubber mitt | Once a week |
| Long | Wide-toothed metal comb, plus a rubber mitt | Daily, or every few days at least |
Start when she's relaxed and work from head to tail. Go slowly under the front legs and between the back legs, where International Cat Care notes the skin is very thin. The hard part of learning how to groom a cat with long hair is getting the comb down to the skin behind the ears, in the armpits and on the backs of the legs, where VCA says to check for tangles. Check between the toes too.
Trimming your cat's claws
An indoor cat needs a trim about every two weeks. Press the paw pad gently to push the claw out. Most cat claws are clear or white, so you can see the quick, the pink part with the nerves and blood vessels. Cut only the hooked tip in front of it, a little at a time, with a guillotine or scissor-style clipper. Older cats' claws can grow thick and curl into the pads, so Cornell's Feline Health Center says to check a senior cat's claws every week.
Ears and eyes
A healthy inner ear is pale pink, with little wax and no smell. Clean only the visible part of the ear flap, never the canal. Healthy eyes are clear and bright. Wipe crust away from the corner with a damp cotton ball, a fresh one for each eye. The ASPCA says to call your vet about ear discharge, redness, a bad smell, dark wax, or a lot of head shaking, and about eye discharge, cloudiness, squinting, or a third eyelid you can see.
Do cats need baths?
Rarely. International Cat Care says a healthy cat has no reason to be bathed, and most don't tolerate it. The exceptions are something sticky or smelly in the coat, a medicated shampoo from your vet, or a cat too stiff or heavy to clean herself. Use a shampoo made for cats and rinse well, since she'll lick off whatever is left.
Older and overweight cats often can't reach their lower back and hindquarters, so mats and mess build up there first. Wipe the back end with a damp cloth. A cat who starts grooming less may be in pain from arthritis, so tell your vet. Do cats need grooming covers which cats need help.
If your cat hates being groomed
International Cat Care's advice on how to groom a cat that hates it is to end each session before she shows any discomfort, such as skin rippling along her back, ears flicking back, or growling. Start when she's calm, don't hold her down, and let her walk away. Set a small goal, like one side or two claws, and finish with a treat and praise. Don't scold or punish her.
When a mat needs a groomer
If you're working out how to groom a cat with matted fur, only small, loose tangles are a job for home. Tease them apart with your fingers or a dematting comb, working from the skin out. Large or widespread mats go to a groomer or your vet.
Never cut a mat out with scissors. Mats sit tight against the skin, and VCA warns that it's easy to cut the skin without seeing it. International Cat Care gives the same warning, and Cornell notes that an older cat's skin is also thinner and less elastic. If the mats have joined into one sheet, read when a matted cat needs a shave down.
At Barky Mountain in Lone Tree, cat grooming starts at $65 for a bath and tidy on a short-haired cat, $90 for a long-haired full groom, and $115 for a lion cut or heavy de-matting. Read what to expect at a cat groom, or book a visit.
Common questions
Can you groom a cat with clippers?
Yes, if you've used electric clippers before. VCA recommends clippers over scissors for mats, but warns against nicking the skin and says to check that the clippers aren't overheating. If you've never clipped a cat, leave it to a groomer.
How do you clean a cat's bum?
Use moist cotton pads, which International Cat Care suggests for older cats who struggle to keep themselves clean. For a long-haired cat who keeps getting soiled, a groomer can trim the fur short around her back end.
How often should you bathe a cat?
Only when she needs it, which for most healthy cats is never. Bathe for something sticky or smelly in the coat, a medicated shampoo from your vet, or a cat who can no longer keep herself clean.
What happens if you cut a cat's nail too short?
You hit the quick, which hurts and bleeds. Press styptic powder onto the tip, or cornstarch if that's all you have, and take off less next time.
