Grooming a Senior Cat

Is your feline pal entering—or already in—her golden years? Kitties have a way of becoming even sleepier (and somehow more adorable) as they age. However, senior pets often become quite stiff and sore. As Fluffy ages, she may have trouble reaching her entire body to groom herself, and she might need a bit of help. Read on as a Des Moines, IA vet offers a few tips on grooming a senior cat.

Make It Routine

Kitties are definitely creatures of habit. Rather than try to thoroughly brush Fluffy once a week, take a few minutes a day to get the dead fur and dander out of her coat. If your furball is a lap cat, make a habit of grabbing her brush before settling in to read or watch TV.

Time It Right

Choosing the right time is very important. You want to pick a time when Fluffy is feeling relaxed and perhaps a bit sleepy, such as after a meal. When your furry friend decides she’s had enough, just let go. Trying to force your cat to submit to being brushed is a good way to get scratched!

Use The Time

When you are brushing Fluffy, take the opportunity to look for signs of illness or injury. In addition to checking for visible issues, such as cuts or skin irritation, watch to see if your kitty seems to be sensitive in certain spots. This may help alert you to a developing issue early on. This can be very beneficial!

Consider Professional Grooming

One benefit to taking Fluffy to a salon is that groomers can provide additional services. For one example professionals will be able to clip your furball’s nails. This can be very helpful if your pet is getting stuck on things! Some cats need the fur around their faces or bottoms trimmed. This is another thing groomers can handle for you. They’re also able to bathe pets at professional bathing stations. This will be much more comfortable for Fluffy than your sink or tub. (Bonus: you don’t have to worry about getting scratched!) Last but not least, groomers often have drying stations, so your kitty can comfortably dry off before putting her fur in order.

Please reach out to us, your local Des Moines, IA vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care, boarding, and grooming needs. We’re here for you!