Most animal behaviour studies have concluded that cats will spend up to 30 – 50% of their day grooming themselves! So, hygiene is undoubtedly very important to your cat.  Even big cats in the wild spend a large part of their day grooming.

In this article we take a closer look at cat hygiene (training your cat to use a litter tray, choosing the right litter and so on) as well as grooming (leaving your cat to self-groom vs visiting a professional groomer).

CAT HYGIENE:

Does a cat need a litter tray?

Providing an attractive litter tray could prevent problems such as inappropriate urination in the house. If your cat feels threatened by other cats for instance and is reluctant to do their business outside, then setting up an indoor toilet option where your cat feels safe may be a good solution. Senior and arthritic cats especially may prefer using an indoor litter tray.

How to train a cat to use a litter tray:

A mother cat will often train her kittens to use a litter tray at a young age. There are a few things to consider if you want to encourage your cat to accept a litter tray.

• Choose the right spot: Cats are private beings, so choose a spot for the litter tray that is away from activity with free access, if you want to encourage your cat to use it. A litter tray should be placed away from feeding areas as cats will never eat in the same area as they relieve themselves. When you find an area for the litter tray, which is accepted by your cat, do not move it - this is important because cats like routine.
• Choose the right size: Cats need to move around easily in their litter tray so they have enough space to scratch the litter and cover without feeling restricted. It is better to choose a litter tray that is on the bigger side than one that is too small. This is especially important with bigger cats or kittens which are still growing.
• Keep it clean: A cat will not use a dirty litter tray. This is one of the common reasons for litter box training problems. Remove the excess faeces and dirty litter every day and give the litter tray a good wash each week (do not use strong smelling or perfumed products to clean the litter tray as cats have a very acute sense of smell).
• Be patient: Always give lots of praise when your cat uses the litter tray. Be aware of your cat’s routine and show them the litter box after feeding and play time. If you are consistent, your cat will learn to use a litter tray very quickly. 

Choosing the right litter:

There are quite a few different cat litters to choose from: fine or course, clumping or non-clumping as well as silica or natural fibre varieties. Your cat will soon show their disapproval if you make a choice they don’t like. 

Here are a few things to consider when choosing your cat’s litter:

• Clumping litter such as Cats Best Smart Pellet soft clumping mini pellets making it easier to clean out the litter tray.
• Non-sticking litter, like the Cats Best Smart Pellet litter, is specially shaped to prevent scattering and tracking outside your cat’s tray, meaning less mess.
• Odour neutralising cat litter – some cat litter has odour neutralising properties, like the Cats Best Original litter so that the litter tray area or room doesn’t smell of urine.
• Environmentally friendly cat litter - some brands even go as far as making the cat litter 100% biodegradable, compostable and sustainable which means disposing of it easily – in the toilet, compost or organic waste bin. Both Cats Best Smart Pellet and Cats Best Original are environmentally friendly.

CAT GROOMING:

Why cats practice self-grooming?

Besides as a means of keeping clean, cats can groom for a variety of other reasons such as; cleaning a wound, lubrication of the skin and coat and of course for simple pleasure. Your cat also grooms to hide their scent from predators, just like their wild cousins do.

Home grooming vs professional grooming:

There are various brush options avaiable at Absolute Pets, such as the Olly & Max Cat Grooming Glove. If you have a long-haired cat such as a Persian, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Ragdoll or Birman for instance, they should ideally be brushed daily to prevent knots and tangles.

While it should not be necessary for a short-haired cat to visit a professional groomer, it may be a good idea for a long-haired fluffy cat to visit a professional groomer every three months or so even if you usually groom them at home. A professional groomer will be able to tackle any matting or knots in the fur and trim your cats coat if need be. They will also alert you to possible skin and other health concerns such as small lesions or growths.

If you groom your cat at home, there is a wide range of cat grooming products available, from shampoos to brushes and even toothbrushes and toothpaste / gel.

If you are looking for a professional groomer, try one of our Pet Spas. Our friendly groomers are happy to help with your cats grooming needs.

Hygiene & grooming issues to look out for:

It is important to know when grooming is not just grooming but actually a problem that needs veterinary treatment and care.  If your cat is licking, chewing or scratching more than normal, then it may be time to visit your Vet.

Parasites such as fleas can result in skin and coat problems often resulting in flea allergy dermatitis caused by hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to flea saliva. Therefore, it is important to maintain a regular ‘parasite control’ routine. Our in store ‘Pet Care Advisors’ will be happy to help you choose the perfect parasite control product for your cat.

If your cat has ear mites, they may scratch at their ears. If there is any unpleasant odour from the ears, crusting, lesions or redness on the edges of the ears then it is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.

Some fun facts about cats:

1. If you have ever been licked by a cat you will have discovered their tongue has a very rough texture - this is due to tiny spines (called papilla) that cover their tongues. These help to collect dirt and loose fur when cats groom themselves. A handy brush so to speak!
2. Spending time with a purring kitty is good for your health. It has been proven to release Oxytocin, our feel-good hormone, which lowers stress levels.
3. Did you know the fluffy hair inside a cat’s ears are called “ear furnishings”? These cute furry bits ensure that their ears stay clean by preventing dirt from going in and helps them to hear better by picking up sound vibrations.
4. Generally speaking, indoor cats enjoy a longer lifespan than those that spend most of their time outside. Your cat’s lifespan is highly dependent on quality nutrition, good hygiene, activity levels and appropriate veterinary care.

We hope this article has helped shed some light on what’s best for your cat when it comes to hygiene and grooming.

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Remember, we are also here to help so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.

Happy & Healthy
The Abslute Pets Team