Ahh – the indulgence of a pamper session! Cats are generally low maintenance and love to groom themselves. But a regular grooming session with a comb and a brush will help to keep them healthier and happier.

Combing and brushing removes all that excess hair instead of leaving it for your cat to ingest to form nasty hairballs, and helps to prevent hair mats and tangles.

Here are Beau’s top 10 tips for the purrfect pamper session.

1. Regular grooming improves the health of your cat’s skin and helps to prevent digestive problems caused by hairballs. Groom long haired cats daily – short haired cats weekly.
2. Start young so your kitten gets used to it – however even a mature cat can learn to enjoy the experience. Start with just one to two minutes each day for the first few months and gradually increase to five minutes.
3. Start with a fine-toothed metal comb for short-haired cats. Run it through the fur from head to tail tip. A wide set metal comb is best for long haired cats.
4. Follow combing with the brush. Brushing removes dead hair and dirt and releases natural oils that keep their skin and coat healthy and shiny.
5. Always comb and brush in the direction that the hair lies, taking extra care around the sensitive tummy and chest areas.
6. Hair mats are painful and are best shaved off by your professional groomer or vet. It’s tempting to get the scissors and cut out the matts, but it’s hard to do without cutting your cat’s tissue paper skin and should be avoided.
7. For pedicures use quality, sharp nail clippers specifically designed for cats. Cut parallel to the flat of the claw and clip off only the white tip, avoiding the quick (blood supply), which is the pinkish area seen through the translucent claw. If you're unsure about how to clip your cat's claws, ask your vet to demonstrate.
8. Run your hands through their fur to feel for any bumps or lumps and see if their skin or coat has lost its shine. Check ears, eyes, mouth, skin, coat, tail, and paws for anything out of the ordinary such as wounds, lumps and skin problems that may need your vet’s attention and treatment.
9. Your cat will let you know when it’s had enough. Always stop and try again later if kitty shows any signs of stress such as:

• tail swishing, thumping or twitching
• sharp turns of the cats head
• ears flicking
• tensing of the body
• growls or hisses

    10.  End on a good note - finish with a good rub under the chin and a special treat. Soon grooming will become a wonderful bonding session for both of you.

See the additional services available for cats at Beau’s Pet Hotel.