Cat Grooming Guide: Tips for Nails, Ears and Eyes
Cat grooming is an essential part of keeping our furry friends happy and healthy. Taking proper preventive care of their nails, ears, eyes and coat is beneficial for both you and your beloved pet.
You can help improve your cat’s wellbeing by learning feline fundamentals like how to clean cat ears and what happens if you don’t trim your cat’s nails. We’ll also tell you why some breeds need extra care to maintain their skin and coat in tiptop condition. Whether you just adopted your first kitten or have had cats all your life, these expert cat grooming tips are a win-win for you and your kitty!
The importance of regular cat grooming
There are numerous benefits of grooming your cat, especially if it’s done on a regular basis. Not only will your fur baby enjoy a better quality of life, but it also prevents common health issues that can eventually require veterinary care.
Once you know what to do and have all the tools at hand, it’s easy to set up a cat grooming routine that your cat actually enjoys. Some might feel squeamish about touching a cat’s claws or eyes, but don’t worry: anyone can learn the simple techniques of how to trim cat nails and keep their eyes clean and bright!
How to clean your cat’s eyes and nose
As a general rule, most cats do not require any special care for their eyes and nose. But there are exceptions that require knowing how to clean your cat’s eyes and nose:
- Abnormalities: excessive discharge, constant squinting/sneezing/pawing at the face, respiratory infections, or conjunctivitis (pink eye).
- Anatomy: brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats with shorter skull bones and squished noses. Breeds include Persians, British Shorthairs, and Exotic Shorthairs.
Keeping the eyes and nose free of debris is crucial for treating or preventing infection and disease. To avoid causing irritation, always make sure your hands are clean and take extra care to use safe and sterile specially formulated products like physiological cat eye cleanser. Whether using wipes, drops or gel, always follow the instructions, be very gentle, and keep calm to make your cat feel safe.
For flat-faced cats, we recommend cleaning the face folds up to twice a day focusing on the corners of the eyes and around the nose. Use a soft moist tissue or cat eye wipes.
Techniques and tips for cleaning cat ears
Cats have erect pivoting ears and a flexible radar-like flap at the base so they can detect every sound. It’s important for your cat’s health to know how to clean cat ears to prevent rare infections or a mite infestation that causes ear mange (otoacariasis).
Always be on the lookout for signs of infection or parasites, such as redness, discharge, head shaking, ear scratching or black spots in the ear. If you think your furball’s ears need attention, our Epiotic Ear Cleanser is a safe option for routine ear care. See a veterinarian if you see debris, excess wax or dirt in your cat’s ears.
Note: Use extra caution with white cats or cats with large white patches because unpigmented areas like the ears, eyelids and nose can be extremely sensitive to the sun.
Tips on how to trim cat nails safely
It’s normal for kitty parents to be nervous about trimming claws. Usually, the fear is not knowing exactly how to cut cat nails. To prevent injuries to your cat and you, and to safeguard your cat’s general wellbeing, feline pedicures are a vital part of cat grooming that should be done every 4-6 weeks.
Learning how to trim cat nails is especially crucial for indoor cats because they don’t climb trees to naturally keep their claws at a comfortable length. That’s one reason scratching posts are so important! They also distract your kitty from ripping up your favorite upholstered furniture.
It’s actually easier than you think: the goal is to quickly snip off the sharp tip on the front claws. Never try to cut off the claw itself or into the pink portion called the “quick,” which can cause painful bleeding and increase the risk of infection. If you do need to clip your kitty’s nails, follow these simple steps.
How to trim cat nails
- Catch your kitty in a relaxed state, like right after a long nap.
- Never rush, scold, or force!
- Use a pair of safety cat claw clippers that don’t have any sharp ends.
- Gently press the paw between your thumb and forefinger to splay the toes.
- Quickly trim the translucent end off each claw, including the dewclaw, or “thumb.”
- Help get your cat in the habit by offering a yummy rewarding treat afterwards.
There are paw-related considerations for both indoor cats and kitties who roam outside. Regularly check for parasites, wounds and lodged debris in and around your cat's claws and paw pads. For the outdoor adventurers, also look for sticky substances like chewing gum or tar that can stubbornly adhere to paw fur. Seek a vet’s help if this occurs because they can hurt themselves trying to remove it.
A word about brushing your cat
Most cat fur consists of three layers: long, coarse guard hair (outercoat), wavier, finer awn hair (middle coat), and soft, fluffy down hair (undercoat). Regular brushing is recommended for all cat breeds at least once a week to keep all the hair healthy. Medium- and long-haired purrers like Birmans, Maine Coons, Persians and Ragdolls definitely need routine brushing to prevent unsightly and potentially painful matted fur. Feline comb-throughs also remove shedding hair before it forms internal hairballs and causes vomiting.
Contrary to popular belief, you can also shampoo your cat to ensure skin health! For instance our EPISOOTHE® pet shampoo, formulated with a natural oat-grain derivative and free from soap, is crafted to maintain healthy, moisturized skin. Its colloidal oatmeal base provides gentle cleansing and deep hydration, making it ideal for soothing sensitive and itchy skin in cats of all ages.
Improving feline health with regular cat grooming
Knowing the basics of proper cat grooming like how to trim cat nails and clean cat ears ensures our little furry friends feel and look their best. Cats are creatures of habit, so stick to a routine and keep grooming supplies in one place for quick access.
Not only is cat grooming a wonderful chance to bond with your kitty, but it’s also an excellent way to keep tabs on their general condition and health. This can pre-empt unnecessary vet visits and create a safe and happy home for your one-and-only fluffy friend!
PS: Always consult a veterinarian if you sense something is wrong or feel you can’t handle an issue yourself.