There’s one thing so magical about autumn. The climate turns crisp, and there are numerous wonderful leaf colours! Nonetheless, winter is simply across the nook. Whereas we do a number of duties to assist put together our properties and autos for the chilly climate, one factor that we’d not take into account is our cats.
We all know that our cats groom themselves frequently (felines spend about 30% to 50% of their time grooming!), however they might want extra assist from us when the climate grows chilly.
Listed below are suggestions to your cat’s distinctive grooming wants that ought to show you how to each throughout the lengthy winter months.
The 8 Winter Cat Grooming Suggestions
1. Guarantee That You Have the Proper Brushes
You need to have the correct of brush to your cat. Typically talking, long-haired cats often want a slicker brush. Additionally, you will want a steel comb if they’re densely furred (just like the Persian).
You should utilize a grooming mitt or rubber brush for short-haired cats, which helps take away unfastened fur and promotes wholesome pores and skin.
2. Do Extra Frequent Brushing
Cats begin to shed extra typically throughout the fall. Their summer time coat sheds to make room for a thicker and hotter winter coat, and the winter coat sheds within the spring to develop within the lighter summer time coat once more.
Since your cat is shedding extra, you’ll have to brush them extra regularly. This can assist stop mats and minimize down on the quantity of fur flying round your property. It might additionally assist scale back hairballs.
You need to groom a long-haired cat day by day (and year-round), and a medium- and short-haired cat might be brushed each 2 to three days every week.
3. Know That Your Cat’s Age and Weight Are Components
Notice that your cat’s age and/or weight can affect how typically you’ll want to groom them. This goes for all yr spherical, not simply the winter months.
Senior and overweight cats can have extra bother grooming themselves, significantly round their hind ends. Mats in these areas type fairly rapidly and are painful for the cat as a result of they pull on the pores and skin. You’ll have to regulate your cat and improve the quantity of grooming accordingly, particularly within the winter.
4. Look Out for Matted Fur
If you happen to discover that your cat already has unhealthy mats, you’ll have to clip them out. Some mats might be combed out in the event that they aren’t too unhealthy, however in any other case, a good set of clippers is the most secure option to take away mats.
Don’t use scissors to chop out the mats as a result of there’s an excellent probability that you simply would possibly unintentionally minimize your cat. It’s also possible to take into account having your pet professionally groomed if you happen to’re overwhelmed with caring for his or her coat.
5. Present a Wholesome Weight loss program
Cats that eat a nutritious diet could have more healthy pores and skin and coats. You could know firsthand how dry your individual pores and skin and hair can get throughout winter, and cats aren’t any totally different.
Meals containing elements like omega-3 and -6 fatty acids (present in fish oil) are wonderful dietary supplements that may give your cat a wholesome coat.
Simply make sure to communicate to your vet if you happen to’re pondering of fixing your cat’s meals. Some cats will expertise digestive points if their meals is switched too rapidly. Your vet can even counsel a model that can profit your cat and their coat.
6. Attempt to Keep away from Static Electrical energy
A less-fun side of winter and the dry air is the static electrical energy. These are the nasty shocks that you simply get when strolling on a carpet and touching somebody or one thing. Sadly, the act of stroking your cat can simply construct up static electrical energy and shock them.
Attempt utilizing a humidifier in your house so the air gained’t be as dry, and wipe down your cat with a cat wipe. This could show you how to preserve from stunning your cat!
Don’t use dryer sheets in your cat to mitigate this drawback as a result of these comprise poisonous elements that your cat will find yourself ingesting whereas grooming.
7. Test Their Paws
In case your cat goes exterior throughout the winter, you’ll have to examine their paws after they come again in. You should utilize cat wipes to wash them and examine for wounds or dry and cracked paw pads.
Wiping your cat’s paws is much more essential if they’ve walked over salt, which ought to be wiped off earlier than they lick it off, as it may be poisonous. You must also examine for issues like gravel between the toes or chemical burns. Your cat most likely gained’t admire you touching and dealing with their paws, however this manner, you may preserve them in nice form.
8. Monitor Their Joints
Cats with joint issues like arthritis could have extra discomfort of their joints, which might affect their grooming habits. If their fur appears messier and greasier than common, this generally is a signal that they aren’t grooming themselves correctly. Different indicators could be a slight limp and strolling slower and extra cautiously than common.
This additionally means you have to be light when dealing with them and preserve them heat. You would possibly have to spend money on new issues, like a low-entry litter field and cat mattress, to make it simpler to your cat to get out and in of.
Converse to your vet if you happen to’re involved about your cat’s well being or if you happen to suspect that there’s a problem with their joints.
What Are the Indicators That Your Cat’s Coat Is Wholesome?
You need to examine your cat’s coat each time you sweep them. This fashion, you turn out to be acquainted with your cat’s coat, so it’s simpler so that you can discover if one thing ever appears off.
A wholesome coat ought to be shiny and mat-free and haven’t any indicators of dandruff. All cats shed to a sure diploma, however look out for a coat shedding excessively. This could be an indication of an underlying situation.
As somebody who cares for and sees your cat on daily basis, you’re the professional in your cat’s coat. Contact your veterinarian if you happen to discover any patches the place the hair has fallen out or if the pores and skin seems irritated, bumpy, or flaky.
Conclusion
Grooming your cat throughout the winter will take extra time, but when your cat appears to get pleasure from it, simply take into account it an extended bonding session. Lengthy-haired cats nearly at all times must be groomed regularly, whatever the season, however they positively want extra of your assist in the winter.
Ask your vet for extra suggestions, and communicate to them if you happen to’re ever involved about your cat’s coat or well being generally.
Featured Picture Credit score: Rodica Vasiliev, Shutterstock
