FAQ: Grooming for cats

It helps to tie tasks to days of the week: brushing according to coat type, tooth brushing daily or several times a week, ear and eye checks weekly and nail trims every few weeks. Regularity helps the cat get used to it.

Yes, shampoos, ear and eye cleaners and toothpastes have a shelf life, and some must be used within a set period once opened. Keep them tightly closed, in a cool place and out of the cat's reach.

Shampoo bottles come in various sizes, so it is worth comparing the price per litre rather than per bottle. On zoogidas.lt products can be compared by price per litre or kilogram, but choose a large bottle only if you will use it up before it expires.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing; it only compares prices from Lithuanian online pet shops. You buy the brush, shampoo or other product you choose on the shop's own website.

The product page shows the price history, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Prices are collected roughly daily, but check the final price on the shop's website before buying.

A large pack is often cheaper per wipe, but opened wipes can dry out, so the pack needs to reseal well. If you use wipes only occasionally, a smaller pack may be more practical.

Useful for travel are a comb or brush, cat wipes, nail clippers, a towel and, for long-haired cats, a detangling spray. On long trips wipes help quickly clean paws or a soiled coat.

In summer brush more often so dead undercoat is removed and the coat breathes better. After outings check the coat for ticks and grass seeds, and protect hairless and white cats from the sun.

In winter a cat's coat is thicker, so brush long-haired cats regularly to stop the undercoat from matting. Dry indoor air can dry out the skin, and for an outdoor cat wipe the salt off her paws after outings.

Chew toys with grooves or texture can mechanically remove a little plaque, especially for cats that like to chew. They only complement tooth brushing, so choose sturdy toys and throw them away once they start to crumble.

A vet usually assesses dental health at the annual check-up, and may suggest more frequent checks for older cats and those with dental problems. A professional dental clean is recommended by the vet according to the condition of the teeth.

Dental and gum disease is more common in older cats, so brushing and watching appetite and breath matter even more. If the cat eats with difficulty or drops food, talk to a vet, and brush very gently, as the gums may be sensitive.

Dental wipes or gauze worn on a finger suit cats that won't accept a toothbrush. They clean less effectively than a brush but are better than no care at all, and are used with cat toothpaste or gel.

Go back to an earlier training step, such as just tasting the paste or touching the gums with a finger, and repeat it for a few days with a treat. Until the cat gets used to it, oral gels, dental treats or water additives can help, and a vet will check her teeth regularly.

Ordinary dry kibble usually shatters on the first bite, so it does little to clean the teeth. Special dental diets with larger kibble may help more, but they don't replace tooth brushing.

Because of the folded ears air circulates less and more wax can build up, so they need checking more often and gentle cleaning with a cat ear cleaner when needed. See a vet about redness, odour or scratching.

A healthy kitten's ears usually only need checking and wiping off visible dirt with a damp cotton pad. Dark debris in kittens' ears is often a sign of ear mites, so in that case take the kitten to a vet.

A whitish-pink membrane in the corner covering part of the eye can indicate eye irritation, illness or general unwellness. It is not a cosmetic issue, cleaning won't fix it, and the cat should be seen by a vet.

If the nail is only split at the tip, carefully trim off the damaged part. If it is broken near the base, bleeding or the cat is limping, see a vet, as the remaining part may need removing and protecting from infection.

Some shampoos are used undiluted, while concentrated ones must be diluted with water as the label says. Diluted shampoo spreads more easily through a dense coat and rinses out more easily, so always follow the manufacturer's directions.