Cat Grooming Tools for Cat Owners
What do you really need to groom your cat at home in between professional groomings? The honest answer is, not much.
There’s no shortage of pet care companies eager to sell you the latest steam brush, high-end organic creams and balms, and complicated vacuums made for cat grooming. Not only are some of these products completely unnecessary, they can also be unsafe for your cats.
Save yourself some money and play it safe by sticking to these basic cat grooming tools.
1. Cat Fur Trimmer
The quintessential tool for cat grooming, a cat trimmer looks similar to the clippers you might see at your own hair salon. They’re smaller, of course, and usually come with multiple guards to trim cat fur of varying lengths.
Cordless options tend to be better for cat grooming, especially if you have a wiggly kitty that might not sit still for the entire grooming session. Low noise and low vibration can help prevent your kitties from feeling stressed. You’ll also want to pay attention to switch placement and make sure you can easily turn the trimmer on or off without having to reposition the tool (or your cat).
2. Cat Nail Clippers
Your cat naturally seeks out things to scratch, which helps to keep their nails in check. However, you still may need to trim sharp claws, especially if you have an indoor cat who likes to sink their nails into your furniture. Make sure you choose clippers designed for cats, as these include safety features that will help you avoid cutting the nail too short.
Cat nail clippers come in a shape and size that are suitable for their small claws. Many nail clippers also include a guard so that you can only clip the tip of the nail, which makes a safer experience for your cat. You’ll need to keep their nails at a manageable length to avoid ingrown nails, but you also need to leave enough of the nail so your cat can defend itself.
3. Cat-Safe Shampoo
Using a cat-safe shampoo is an important part of the cat grooming process. Never use human shampoo, as they may contain essential oils or other ingredients that might irritate your cat’s skin or even be toxic to them. Cat shampoos are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and ingredients toxic to cats, such as essential oils.
Even if your cat’s arch enemy is a bathtub full of water, they still occasionally need baths, especially if they get into something sticky or dirty. Using a cat-safe shampoo will clean their fur gently without leaving behind residue or causing irritation or other harm.
4. Deshedding Brush for Cats
Deshedding brushes are specialized grooming tools that excel at removing loose fur. The teeth are long and tightly bound, which helps it grab more fur, even in the undercoat. It works for cats of all fur types, but it’s especially helpful in cats with thick or long fur.
Regular deshedding doesn’t just help to minimize the flying fur around your house; it also reduces hairballs and keeps your kitty comfy. They’ll have less self-grooming to do and will enjoy a naturally healthier coat since the brush helps to distribute oils more evenly.
5. Basic Brush
At a minimum, cat owners should have a basic grooming brush to remove loose fur and keep your cat’s coat shiny and healthy. A good grooming brush has soft bristles so that brushing feels more like a kitty massage. You can use a boar bristle brush, which helps maintain shine, or a brush with capped tips on the bristles for added comfort.
Even better, a good brush means good bonding time with your feline. Many cat owners enjoy brushing their cats simply for the quality time. If your cat tends to shy away from the brush or doesn’t allow you to brush them for more than a few seconds, it might be the brush. Try a different brush to see if your cat’s reaction changes.
6. Cat Comb
Cat combs may have fine or wide teeth, depending on your cat’s fur type. For long fur, choosing wider teeth can allow more hair to pull through the comb. Otherwise, you’ll catch every little snag or knot in your cat’s fur, which might make them uncomfortable and uncooperative.
However, you don’t want the teeth to be too wide. A comb’s main purpose is to find and remove small tangles to prevent mats. You can also use the comb to part the fur and inspect your cat’s skin for dandruff, fleas, or skin irritations.
7. Slicker Brush
This unique brush has fine wire bristles arranged close together in a grid-like pattern. These wires help with detangling and smoothing fur on cats of all fur types. It can also help remove tangles and small mats on cats with longer fur.
8. Cat Grooming Hammock
This bonus tool isn’t necessary but it can make the life of a cat owner easier and less stressful. Cat grooming hammocks hold your kitty in place for you to brush, wash, rinse, and trim them. These hammocks feature individual leg holes and can be suspended from a shower bar or something similar while you give your cat the royal treatment. This keeps them from squirming away, plus it can reduce or prevent bites and scratches.
Get Professional Cat Grooming at Home
At Kitty Spaw, we use these and other professional-grade cat grooming tools to pamper your pet and keep them safe and healthy during their spa day. Learn more about our process or request your appointment today!
