All cats can benefit from regular grooming. Regular grooming benefits their physical health though removal of excess hair which they would otherwise swallow, distribution of natural oils through their coat, maintenance of claws and stimulation of their skin. It’s also a good opportunity to interact and socialize with your cat and to do a head to tail check of their bodies for any changes which might indicate injury, disease or parasites.

To make grooming a positive experience for both you and your cat, choosing the right tools is essential. What works well for one cat might not work well for another. Likewise, you may be more comfortable using certain tools. In this entry we’ll go over the available options out there & the benefits.

Coat & Skin

There are a wide variety of tools for grooming your cat’s coat. The texture, density, health and quality of her coat and skin will have a big impact on which tools work best.

1. Metal slicker brush – This is one of the most basic grooming tools and one that you are probably most familiar with. The closely set, hooked metal bristles do a good job of removing loose hair from both short and long haired cats. This type of brush also works well on separating mats that have been loosened up with your fingers or other tools. The sharp bristles can easily irritate skin, so don’t over brush.

2. Plastic slicker brush – These are configured in the same way as a metal slicker brush, but have straight, firm plastic bristles which are spaced out wider than on the metal counterpart. I’m not a fan of plastic slicker brushes, as I’ve found the size of the bristles makes it difficult to effectively work into the coat, and the straightness of the bristles makes it less effective than the metal slicker brush. This might be a useful option if your cat finds a metal slicker brush to hard on his skin.

3. Shedding blade – This is a great tool for lifting off loose hair from short-hair cats, particularly ones with dense coats that shed a lot. It’s particularly helpful for short haired cats who don’t do a great job of grooming themselves because of weight issues or stress. Loose hair will collect around the base of the tail with this tool, so it helps to follow up with the slicker brush to smooth things out and remove hair that you can’t lift away with you fingers.

4. Massaging mitt – This is a nice tool for cats that may not be crazy about being brushed but that enjoy being petted. The soft, rubbery nubs gently remove loose hair and massage the skin without scraping. This is best for short haired cats. Because the backside of the grooming surface is in contact with the palm of your hand, it’s easily to pick up small signals of discomfort from your cat and respond accordingly.

5. Massaging brush – One of my favourite tools, the large, rubbery nubs work best on cats with short or coarse hair, that do not have a very dense undercoat. Since the tool is soft, it can be use fairly firmly and feels pleasant on the skin and muscles. This tool is best used in conjunction with a slicker brush or deshedding tool – while it does a great job of moving loose hair, it doesn’t always stick to the nubs very well, and may collect around the hips. This is also a really good choice for cats that generally prefer not to be brushed. I’ve found that many cats that dislike other brushes are fine with this type.

6. Deshedding tool – This is an excellent brush for cats with a dense undercoat. The closely set tines remove an amazing amount of hair, but be careful of over brushing. It doesn’t do such a great job on cats with a sparser (or no) undercoat, and doesn’t grab on to the coarser hairs of the upper coat. The fine tines may have a hard time with an undercoat that is matted or hasn’t been brushed recently.

7. Rake – Much like the deshedding tool, this works best on a dense undercoat. The short, widely spaced tines are easy to work deep into the coat and does a great job of removing hairs which have loosened but are stuck in the undercoat. This is one of my favourite tools for grooming long haired cats.

    

    

8. Comb – Very similar to a rake, except that the tines are held at a different angle. A comb is ideal for tails, cheeks and chest ruffs on long haired cats. The comb is also great for working through loose mats, though always be careful about pulling at the skin.

    

    

9. De-matter – This tool has short sharp blades with blunt tips. It can be worked into a stubborn mat to cut it apart and make it easier for the mat to be separated. It’s a great tool, especially for long hair cats who are prone to matting. Use with caution though – even the blunt tips on the blades can cause injury, and the mat should be held firmly at the base to prevent pulling and skin irritation.

10. Chamois – “Hairless” cats should be rubbed down regularly with a chamois to ensure skin oils are properly distributed and are present in the right amounts.

     

     

     

Claws

When trimming claws always make sure your tools are in good condition and that blades are very sharp, to prevent splintering and damage to the claws. Dull tools can cause pain and discomfort and may make your cat wary of having her claws trimmed.

1. Scissor trimmers – Small and easy to manoeuvre, these are my favourite tool for trimming claws. Because they open fully they provide great visibility, which is ever so important to ensure you don’t cut into the quick. Their small size also makes them easy to handle. Lefties might have a hard time finding this style of clipper.

    

2. Guillotine trimmers -A bit bulkier than the scissor style, these do have the advantage of being good for both lefties and righties. Because the cats claw needs to fit through the loop it can be a little more awkward to position properly and the metal loop can obstruct your view. The wide spread between the handles can be a bit awkward if you have small hands.

3. Nail clippers – With no notch in the blade to hold the claw in place be careful of slippage.

    

    

    

    

    

Teeth

It’s easy to overlook regular oral care for your cat, but overall immune health is greatly impacted by the quality of the mouth.

1. Enzymatic toothpaste – Toothpastes made specifically for cats are fine to be swallowed and contain enzymes to help break down plaque and keep the mouth clean. They usually come in appealing flavours such as malt, beef or salmon. Never use toothpaste intended for humans on your cat – it is not meant to be swallowed and may be toxic to your to your cat.

    

2. Standard brush – A tiny version of your own toothbrush. I prefer this over the finger brush, as its small head fits in the cats mouth more easily. The small size also makes it easier to see what you are doing. If you need both hands to hold your cat managing this brush might be a bit of a challenge, so if you use this style of brush and have a difficult cat you might want to have someone assist you.

    

3. Finger brush – A rubbery cap with nubs that fits over the tip of your finger. Not as easy to use as the standard brush, but it does free up the rest of your fingers on that hand to hold the cat’s head or lift the lips.

    

In another post we’ll go over grooming techniques to ensure a comfortable experience for you and your cat.

Product images from amazon.com

Welcome to An Abnormal Love of Cats.

I’ve started this blog to share my stories, experiences and knowledge about cats.

A bit about my background

First let me say that I am not a veterinary professional, and any medical information posted in this blog should not be used as a substitute for the advice of your vet.

That said, I have a fair bit of experience with cats. I grew up with a lot of cats, most of whom were strays, and have dealt with the various behavioural issues that unsocialized cats some times have. My mother is a passionate cat lover as well and our passion has developed together over the years.

I’m also a regular volunteer and board member at our local humane society, and the resident cat lady. I go in once a week to brush, de-mat, clip claws, bathe, train and socialize the shelter cats.

I currently have two of my own cats at home as well as a foster kitty.

I hope you’ll find my experiences and insights relevant and helpful.

So what’s with the name?

“Abnormal love of cats” came about during a phone conversation with a friend. As usual I was going on and on about cats and the conversations that my mother and I have about cats. Sensing that he was perhaps not as deeply interested as I was, I asked sincerely if not all cat owners loved cats as much as we do, at which time he pointed out that my mother and I did in fact have an abnormal love of cats.

With that, “abnormal love of cats” stuck and I think is an accurate and amusing way to describe my passion for cats.