Adult cat care

On the whole, adult cats are pretty self-sufficient little family-members. There are, however, some basic home health care procedures that we should be helping them out with.

Nail trims

Cat nails keeping growing, and whilst a scratching post can help, they may need their nails trimmed every few months. Most cats require gentle restraint for this, so having a second person present is helpful. Otherwise, you can try gently wrapping your cat in a blanket, and extract one foot at a time for clipping.

Giving your cat a tasty treat to lick, such as cat purée or cream cheese on a spoon, can create a positive distraction.

If you are unsure of the technique for nail clipping, check out YouTube videos (such as this one), or ask our team for a demonstration next time your cat is in for a visit!

Grooming

Whilst short-haired cats are usually able to perform their own grooming, very thick-coated or long-haired breeds (e.g. british shorthairs or ragdolls) require assistance. These cats generally need a thorough brushing twice-weekly, using a combination of pet combs, slicker brushes and deshedding tools.

If your cat ever develops a matt of fur close to their skin, it’s safest to bring them into the clinic for this to be carefully shaved off.

Monitoring

It’s important to routinely monitor some basic activities of your cat, as these can be early indicators of developing health problems – which cats can be great at hiding! Whilst it’s not everyone’s favourite activity, it’s a great idea to monitor your cat’s appetite and drinking levels, as well as their poo and wee quality and quantity (if they use a litter tray).

If you suspect an issue in your feline family member, call us for advice on the best course of action.