Cat grooming basics: brushing, bathing and claw care

Cats do most of the work — your job is support

With their rough tongues and teeth, cats are built to groom themselves. The ASPCA’s cat grooming tips point out that regular brushing still helps: it removes dead hair, dirt and skin flakes, reduces hairballs, and becomes more important as a cat ages and can no longer groom as thoroughly.

Grooming sessions are also health checks. A healthy coat has a natural gloss and springs back under your hand; there should be no bald patches, fleas, ticks, wounds or unusual lumps.

Brushing by coat type

Coat	How often	Tools
Short hair	Once or twice a week	Metal comb, rubber brush
Long hair (indoor)	Every few days	Wide-toothed comb, then a finer comb
Senior or overweight cat	More often, gently	Soft brush, comb for the back and rear

For short-haired cats, comb from head to tail in the direction the fur grows. For long-haired cats, the ASPCA suggests starting with the belly and legs, combing gently, then working on the rest of the body, paying attention to the armpits, behind the ears and the hindquarters, where mats form first.

Keep sessions short and positive

• Start with a few strokes where the cat likes to be touched — cheeks and back.
• Stop before the cat gets annoyed: a twitching tail, flattened ears or skin rippling are signs.
• Reward with a treat or play.
• Try at the same quiet time each day so it becomes routine.

Claw trimming

Indoor cats often need their claws trimmed every few weeks.

1. Hold the paw gently and press the pad to extend the claw.
2. Find the pink quick inside the claw.
3. Clip only the sharp, clear tip, well before the quick.
4. Do one or two claws per session if the cat is impatient.

Use small clippers made for cats. If you cut the quick, apply styptic powder or cornstarch with gentle pressure. Never declaw as a substitute for trimming; scratching posts and regular trims handle the problem humanely.

Does a cat ever need a bath?

Rarely. The ASPCA recommends a bath only when a cat is very dirty or has gotten into something sticky or smelly. If you must bathe your cat:

1. Choose a time when the cat is calm, ideally after play.
2. Trim the claws first, for your own protection.
3. Brush out loose hair and mats.
4. Put cotton in the ears and a rubber mat in the sink.
5. Use three to four inches of lukewarm water and wet the coat with a sprayer or pitcher, avoiding eyes, ears and nose.
6. Use a cat shampoo, diluted as the ASPCA suggests (one part shampoo to five parts water), from head to tail, avoiding the face.
7. Rinse thoroughly, wipe the face with a damp washcloth and wrap the cat in a towel in a warm, draft-free room.

If the cat panics, stop. A stressed cat can hurt you and itself, and a professional can do the job more safely.

Never use dog products on cats

Some flea products made for dogs contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Read every label and only use products made for cats. If a cat is exposed to a dog flea product, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.

When to call a professional

• Heavy matting, especially close to the skin.
• A cat that becomes aggressive or terrified during grooming.
• Skin problems: redness, scabs, hair loss, intense scratching.
• An older or overweight cat that cannot reach parts of its body.

Professional cat groomers and veterinary teams have the tools and handling skills to groom safely, sometimes over several short visits.

Related reading: how to bathe a dog and what you learn in a grooming course.