Dog grooming tables are a wonderful idea and as Ideas-4-pets are aware that it’s not only dogs that benefit from grooming, we have now introduced a small dog grooming table which is also ideal for your cat.

Your cat will really appreciate a good grooming session as cats are fastidious in their cleaning rituals.   I’m sure you’ve seen your cat carefully washing herself many times a day.   Although she can take care of herself very well, she will also benefit from some help from you. 

It’s important with cats and dogs (and rabbits) that grooming is an enjoyable experience for both of you, so make sure your cat is completely relaxed before starting to groom her.  A good time to groom is after she has had some exercise or after she’s eaten a meal. 

Grooming should be a positive experience, so don’t try it after a hard day at work when you might feel stressed and tired as this mood may rub off on to your cat and the whole experience could end up being a bad time for both of you !!

We advise that you keep your first grooming sessions to about 5 minutes and then gradually lengthen the time until your cat is used to the routine.  Your cat should be used to being handled before you start to groom her, so get into the habit of petting every single part of her body on a regular basis — including her ears, tail, tummy, back and also her paws.

The main rule is to be patient !!  If your cat is extremely stressed out by the grooming experience, stop it and try again later when she’s calmer.

Regular sessions with a brush or comb are a must to keep your cat’s fur in good condition.  Brushing helps to remove dirt and spreads the natural oils throughout her coat.  This helps to prevent tangles and keeps her skin clean and irritant-free.

Short haired cats need brushing once a week:  We recommend you use a strong comb to work through her fur from head to tail.  Next, use a bristle or rubber brush to remove dead and loose hair.  Always be careful near her tummy which is a delicate area and one she may not want you to linger on !!

Longer haired cats need to be brushed every day:  Start by gently combing her tummy area and her legs and make sure you gently untangle any knots.  Next, brush her fur in an upward motion with a bristle or rubber brush.  When brushing her tail, make a parting down the middle and then gently brush the fur out on either side.

If your cat’s coat becomes greasy and oily or if she’s managed to get coated in something sticky or smelly, she’ll probably benefit from a bath.

We all know that most dogs love a  bath, whether it’s in your own or whether they have a posh electric dog bath of their own.  However, most cats don’t like bathing, so you might want to involve another person to help with this process and remember to give your cat lots of cuddles, praise  and treats when the session is over.

After the brushing session, place a rubber bath mat into the sink or bath to prevent her from slipping and put about 3 or 4 inches of luke warm water into the bottom.  Gently place your cat in the water, giving her praise and strokes throughout.  Thoroughly wet your cat but take care not to get water directly into her ears, eyes or nose.  Gently massage in a mild shampoo that is suitable for cats and work it in from head to tail.  Thoroughly rinse avoiding the ears, eyes and nose and then dry your cat with a large towel.

At the end of session, provided you have handled your cat gently, carefully and with great patience, you should both feel pleased with the result.