Cats are naturally clean. They spend most of their time sleeping, eating, and cleaning themselves and other cats by licking their coat and the others’ coats. You have probably noticed that your cat does so. Did you know that such an activity is called “allogrooming,” though? Allogrooming, which is also a bonding technique between cats, means that cats use parts of their bodies, mainly their tongues, as mentioned before, to dust away any fleas, dirt, or loose hair from their coat. However, this does not mean that you can leave your kitten’s hygiene to her alone. You have to follow some tips. In this blog, we will tell you how to properly take care of your kitten’s hygiene.

Watch Out for Parasites

As a kitten’s owner, you have two responsibilities when it comes to parasites.

The first one is to make sure that your kitten gets all the necessary vaccinations so that she does not get parasites or other diseases that you can protect her from. Keep up with your vet to make sure your cat gets all the vaccinations she needs at the proper time.

The second one is brushing your kitten’s coat yourself. This does not only help keep a close eye on any fleas or ticks your cat might have, help you protect her from swallowing hairballs-which gives him a stomachache- but also gives you a great bonding opportunity with this furry friend. To tell you the truth, this will not be an easy task, so you need to pay patient and start gently. Get a good brush and start moving it first with and then against the direction of hair’s growth so that you can untangle any knots. If possible, try to end the brushing session with a game. In this way, your cat can be more excited and less reluctant about the next session. In case you notice your cat has gotten any kind of parasite consult your vet and get her the proper treatment.

Take Care of Your Kitten’s Oral Hygiene

As you have been informed before, cats are clean but guess what? Cats cannot brush their own teeth, and it is of great importance that you take care of their oral hygiene. Start brushing your kitten’s teeth using a special cat’s toothpaste and a special cat’s toothbrush at an early age. This way, your cat will get accustomed to this routine, which protects her from tooth loss, inflamed gum, and bad breath.

Moreover, It is a good idea to take your cat to the vet to check her teeth on a monthly basis to avoid potential problems, and do not forget that your vet is the one to consult if you have any concerns about your cat’s teeth.

Cats Are Clean, but a Bath Is Necessary

Even though cats try to keep themselves clean all the time, a bath is a healthy routine that should not be left out. Allogrooming does not eliminate dandruff or make your cat smell better. The bad news is that cats are not usually attracted to water, so it is a good idea to get your kitten used to having a bath at an early age. The good news, however, is that cats need a bath every 4 to 6 weeks.

To make the bathing experience easier for both you and your kitten, follow these tips.

  • Try to have a long play session before giving your kitten her bath. This way, he or she grows too tired to resist.
  • If you do not want to be scratched, you need to trim your cat’s nails before bathing her.
  • Use a sprayer to wet your kitten, and avoid spraying water directly at her nose, ear, or eyes. It is a good idea to put cotton in your kitten’s ears to keep water out.
  • Use little of a good cat shampoo with some water to massage your kitten from head to tail.
  • Rinse your kitten with warm water, and make sure that you get rid of all soap residue.
  • With a washcloth, wipe your kitten’s face with water.
  • With a towel, dry your kitten in a warm place and blow dry her.

After you are done, reward your kitten and give her a special treat. If you do so, your kitten associates bathing with a positive feeling, which makes future baths easier for you.

To Conclude,

Your Kitten’s Good Hygiene Helps Her Stay Healthy

This little creature, who is your new kitten needs your attention and care. Indeed, she will instinctively keep herself as clean as possible, but there are certain things you need to help her with.

Oral hygiene is one of those crucial things. Get her used to that because it allows her to keep her teeth sound and healthy and avoid any dental pain.

Though grooming might not be a pleasant experience at first, you will like it once your kitten gets used to it. It will give a unique bonding experience, especially if coupled with a bathing experience that you need to get your kitten accustomed to from an early age.

Those grooming tips help keep your kitten not only be healthy and happy but also always smelling good. No matter how reluctant you might find your kitten to be at first, be patient, whether when brushing her coast, brushing her teeth, or bathing her. The results are worth the efforts.