Cat Grooming Supplies

It's true that cats groom themselves, but it is still important to brush your cat. Not only does it cut down on the amount of hair in your apartment, it also gives you and your cat some good bonding time. Some cats don't particularly like being brushed. It is best to ease into these things -- sit on the floor with your cat and allow him or her to come to you. After time this will become a great time for both you and your cat.

Combs and Brushes
Combs  Keeps your house clean and Fluffy's tummy free of hairballs. Wide-toothed combs  are good for long haired cats. Fine-toothed combs  for short haired cats. Flea combs  are good to get rid of fleas.	Brushes  Helps detangle and get rid of matted hair. Brings natural oils to the skin for a shinier coat. Wire brushes  are for thicker coats. Soft bristles  are for thinner coats. Rubber brushes  are for massaging Fluffy's skin. Look for ionic brushes for static-assisted hair removal.	Shedding Blades  Swath over Fluffy to remove dead and matted hair. Keeps hairballs to a minimum. Don't worry about the "blade" part. It won't hurt.	Brush Gloves/Pads  Instead of a cumbersome brush, just pet Fluffy to get rid of excess hair. Often ionically charged to remove the hair with the power of static. Easier, more fun, and kind of space age!

Other Supplies Not for the Faint of Heart

• Shampoo 
• Good for those special times when Fluffy has something more severe going on, like a skin infection or infestation.
• Some come in powder or foam, allowing you to keep Fluffy away from water. Most cats don't like being immersed in water.
• Antimicrobial Drops  -- In case something nasty sneaks in. Talk to your vet more about these.
• Nail Trimmer 
• Using a standard household nail clipper,  trim Fluffy's nails using serious care, caution, and constraint.
• How to Trim a Cat's Nails
• Vet offices will do the clipping during a check up, often at no cost, if you so prefer.
• Okay, so it takes some getting used to. But after a couple of times you'll have the hang of it and you'll have spared your flesh and furniture some deep claw marks and your cat some nasty, painful declawing.

External Links

• Petalia -- Cat grooming tips.
• eHow -- How to buy and use a cat grooming kit. 
• Pet Market -- Another guide to giving a cat a pedicure. In a word: Carefully.