Cats may be famously independent (and meticulous) groomers, but even the most self-sufficient feline needs a helping hand from time to time. Regular grooming doesn’t just reduce dreaded hairballs — it helps prevent painful matting, supports dental health, manages shedding and allows you to spot potential issues early. That’s good news for your cat, your furniture and your vacuum cleaner.
How to make grooming a happy experience for your cat
Grooming isn’t just about maintenance — it’s also a wonderful way to bond with your cat and build trust in a calm, reassuring environment. One of the best ways to set your cat up for success is to start a grooming routine as soon as your kitten arrives home, says pet groomer Melissa Tabuteau.
“Gently touching your kitten’s paws, ears and even teeth helps them become comfortable with handling and can make future vet visits far less stressful,” she explains.
Offer treats and praise throughout the session, and consider using cat calming sprays if your cat needs extra help settling in.
How to brush your cat and manage shedding
Brushing your cat’s coat will help distribute the natural oils, prevent tangles and matting, and gives you the chance to check for skin issues, fleas and other parasites or sore spots. How often you do it, and which tools you’ll need, depends on your cat’s coat type. Older arthritic cats or overweight cats will need a little extra help as they can struggle to groom hard-to-reach areas.
- Short-haired cats: (like Bengals, Abyssinians and Tonkinese) Use a soft bristle brush or a rubber brush once a week to remove loose hair and debris.
- Medium-haired cats: (Like Siamese, Russian Blues and Turkish Vans) Brush 2 to 3 times a week with a slicker brush or fine metal comb.
- Long haired cats: (like Ragdolls, Maine Coons and Ragamuffins) Daily brushing with a slicker brush and a de-matting tool for more stubborn knots.
Brushing also reduces the amount of fur left around your house during shedding season. While cats shed a little year-round, they experience heavier shedding in autumn and spring as their fur adjusts to colder or warmer weather, says Melissa.
“Long-haired cats can benefit from occasional visits to a professional groomer to help with de-shedding, and managing mats,” she adds.
How to reduce hairballs
The familiar ‘hacking’ sound as a hairball gets coughed up is one that cat owners wince at. Hairballs form when cats swallow loose fur during grooming, but a few simple habits can help minimise them. Melissa recommends:
- Regular brushing: “This removes loose fur before your cat swallows it. For long-haired cats, I recommend using a slicker brush and a de-matting tool for more stubborn knots.”
- Drinking more: “Many cats don’t drink enough water. Offer multiple bowls or a cat water fountain throughout your house to support their digestion and skin health.”
- Invest in cat toys: “Bored cats tend to over-groom. Enrich their environment with climbing spaces, toys, and interactive play to help reduce excessive licking.”
How to bath your cat (and how often)
Cats are excellent self-groomers, so bathing them is usually only necessary if they’re extremely dirty, have a medical condition that requires medicated shampoo, or can’t groom themselves properly due to age, weight or mobility issues.
Before bathing, brush your cat thoroughly to remove loose fur. Then using lukewarm water and gentle cat shampoo, wash your cat, before rinsing thoroughly. Towel dry them and keep them warm and calm afterwards. Avoid human shampoos, as they can irritate your cat’s skin.
How to trim your cat’s nails safely and calmly
Trimming those razor-sharp cat claws will help prevent injury to your cat, protect your furniture, and keep your cat comfortable when walking or climbing.
“Cats are notorious for being anxious when it comes to having their nails trimmed. It’s best to get your cat used to having their paws handled from a young age so nail trimming becomes a positive experience,” explains Melissa.
Once you have created a calm environment for your cat, follow these steps:
- Hold the paw: Gently but firmly squeeze or pinch the tow pad and the nail will pop out.
- Find the quick: The key is to avoid cutting the quick, which is the pink area inside the nail that contains the blood vessel and nerve. Avoid cutting within 2-3mm of the quick to avoid bleeding and pain. With light-coloured nails, the quick is usually easy to see, but with darker nails it can be tricky. In those cases, trim very small amounts at a time until you notice a dark spot in the centre of the nail – this tells you it’s time to stop.
- Clip in the right direction: Cut the nail parallel to the walking surface and the paw pad.
- Don’t forget the dewclaws: These are the small extra toes found higher up on your cat’s front legs (think of them like a thumb). While they were originally designed to help hold down prey, dewclaws don’t get much use in domestic life and don’t wear down naturally. As a result, they can easily overgrow, snag on objects, or become damaged.
“Always use cat-specific clippers and work slowly,” advises Melissa. “Reward your cat with treats, toys, praise, and gentle pats to make the experience positive. Having a second person to gently hold or distract your cat can also make the process safer and easier.”
If you’re a Best for Pet Wellness Plan member, caring for your cat’s nails is simple. Your plan includes four nail trims a year, plus additional benefits like unlimited consults, core vaccinations, $250 off a dental clean, and more.
How to care for your cat’s teeth
Like with our own teeth, regular brushing of your cat’s teeth will prevent plaque and tartar build-up and will also reduce the risk of gum disease. It’ll also freshen up their tuna-smelling breath.
You’ll need a cat toothbrush or finger brush, and pet toothpaste, as well as a bucket-load of patience. It’ll take a few goes for your cat to get used to your fingers in their mouth. So it’s best to start slowly, brushing in small circles at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Most importantly, if your furry pal isn’t into it, don’t push it. Do one or two areas at a time and then stop. If after a few sessions they still aren’t happy about it, ask your vet about other ways to keep their teeth clean.
How to clean your cat’s ears
Cleaning your cat’s ears every few weeks helps prevent wax build-up and allows you to spot any sore spots or ear mites. Long-haired breeds and cats with folded ears might need extra attention. You’ll need a vet-approved ear cleaner, cotton balls (never cotton buds) and a few treats.
- Inspect first: Look in their ears for redness, swelling, a strong odour or excess wax. If you see anything unusual, check in with your vet.
- Apply cleaner: Fill the ear canal up with cleaning fluid and massage the base of the ear gently.
- Let them shake: When your cat shakes its head, it’ll get rid of most of the liquid and loosen dirt and debris.
- Wipe the outer ear: Don’t forget to also wipe down the rest of the ear flap with a cotton ball.
If anything looks unusual, consult your vet before continuing.
When to visit a professional groomer
Cats with long or dense coats may benefit from professional grooming, especially if mats have formed or shedding becomes difficult to manage. Some cats may also need a light fur trim from a groomer during shedding season.
If your cat becomes aggressive, anxious, has an injury or mobility issues or you’re unsure about grooming at home, your vet is the best place to start for advice and support.
