Easily transform your kitty from plain to stunning using an array of essential grooming tools.
From nearly effortless de-matting to quick-and-painless claw-clipping, these 10 tools definitely take grooming to the next level.
Toothbrush
Find a soft-bristled toothbrush specially made for cats at your local pet store. The head must be small enough to easily fit in your cat’s mouth, and the bristles should readily flex when swiped with your thumb.
For kitties that refuse a standard brush, purchase a “finger” brush — a rubber sheath with raised ripples that slips over your finger. Simply slide your finger back and forth across your cat’s teeth to give them a good cleaning. Finally, for very small cats and kittens, experts suggest using a standard cotton swab in lieu of a toothbrush.
Our recommendation: Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats and Malt Flavor Toothpaste.
Perfect brush and comb
Cat brushes come in all shapes and sizes, but professional cat show exhibitor Lisa Fuller recommends wide-tooth brushes with plastic bristles and beaded tips for longhaired cats and roller-teeth combs with short bristles for shorthaired cats. She emphasizes the most important consideration when choosing a brush is to test out several different types and settle on one the cat likes to be groomed with.
Our recommendation: Szlishuo Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
Grooming glove
For a sneaky way to keep a not-so-cooperative cat’s coat looking its best, try using a grooming glove. The glove, featuring tiny bumps perfect for snagging up loose fur, slips over the owner’s hand for easy use. Just stroke the cat as usual, and stray hairs are pulled right up. The beauty of this tool is that cats will not even realize they are being preened.
Our recommendation: Pet Grooming Gloves.
Safety claw clipper
Clipping a cat’s claws can be tricky since the base contains an area filled with nerves and capillaries called a “quick.” Clipping down too far can therefore cause immediate pain. To avoid this, purchase a safety nail clipper made specifically for cats, which features a mechanism to stop the clipper from going too far down on the claw.
Our recommendation: gonicc Dog & Cat Pets Nail Clippers and Trimmers.
Cat wipes and washcloth
Cats can have allergies, and allergies often produce runny eyes and noses. Experts recommend gently wiping away the discharge with a warm washcloth, as one would with a child. For owners on the go, several companies make “kitty wipes,” wet wipes formulated to be feline-safe and quickly dispensed, that can serve the same purpose as a washcloth.
Our recommendation: Pogi’s Grooming Wipes – Hypoallergenic plant-based, deodorizing wipes.
De-shedding tool
When the weather warms up, cats need to cool off, which often results in a houseful of fur and a cat covered in mats. Eliminate up to 90 per cent of shed fur by using a handheld de-shedding tool, available at many pet stores.
A specially designed stainless steel edge collects the loose fur, yet does not penetrate or scratch the cat’s skin. This tool removes much more shed fur than a regular brush or comb, which are designed for detangling as opposed to hair collection. Less loose fur in the coat means fewer tangles.
Our recommendation: Furminator deShedding tool.
De-matter tool
When tackling the toughest of tangles, use a de-matter as opposed to scissors to avoid leaving gaping holes in your cat’s coat. A de-matter features elongated, razor-like prongs which work their way through the mat, teasing it out in small parts at a time. This method gets the job done while maintaining as even a coat as possible.
Our recommendation: Pat Your Pet Dematting Tool.
Ear and eye wipes
Eye wipes are premoistened sheets for cleaning the cat’s eye area. These gentle and moist wipes safely clean around your pet’s eyes and outer ear areas while also absorbing odour.
Our recommendation: John Paul Pet Ear and Eye Wipes.
Corn starch for cats
Ehhh, is this a mistake? No!
The average cat owner may not consider corn starch a grooming tool, but many professional cat show exhibitors consider it a “must-have trick-of-the-trade.” That’s right – a simple dusting of corn starch rubbed into the base of a cat’s fur makes the coat noticeably fluffier and less greasy. This easy, safe tactic can turn flat to full in no time.
Our recommendation: Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box.
Seafood-flavored toothpaste
What better way to gain your cat’s cooperation in brushing its teeth than to use a savoury-flavoured paste? Since “human” toothpaste can harm cats, speciality feline toothpaste is the only option. It makes sense to purchase a “feline” toothpaste that not only cleans your cat’s teeth but makes the activity easier on you and more enjoyable for your cat in the process. Entice your cat with tuna, beef, or chicken flavoured toothpaste, and watch tooth-brushing transform from a chore to a pleasurable experience.
Our recommendation: Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste For Cats, Yummy Fish Flavour.
To properly groom your cat and understand the importance of these best grooming tools, read our easy guide to grooming your cat. Aside from grooming your cat, it’s also vital to keep your kitty “litter happy”. Read our judgement on the best cat litters for cats.
Did we miss something? Let us know how you groom your cat in the comments!
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