How to groom your elderly cat

Cats are smart creatures. They are experts at self grooming for at least the first decade of their life. Then slowly health issues creep in. You may notice their haircoat not being as shiny and lustrous as it once was. Your pet would have a scruffy look. This is when you as a pet parent need to step in and lend a helping hand!

First you need to examine why your pet cannot groom themselves. So, take your feline friend to the vet and find out if they have serious health issues like periodontal disease, diabetes, hypertension or arthritis.

Next, you will need to assist your pet in grooming. It is a great way of bonding between pet and pet parents. Also, you can keep checking your pet for bumps and lumps.

Here is how you can groom your pet:

• You can groom your cat gently with a soft comb.
• Make sure their claws do not curl into their pads. To avoid this problem you can make use of a cat claw trimmer.
• Use soft cotton balls to clean the region around their eyes, ears and claws.
• You should be aware of the areas that your cat would be sensitive to grooming as it would cause them pain or discomfort. Avoid those areas and discuss with your vet about the best way to deal with this problem.
• You can use a saline solution to rinse your cat’s fur and dirt around their eyes and to gently clean his ears.

But before you try the above products it is advisable that you take your vet’s professional advice.

Happy parenting!