Grooming

Bibs: The Practical Fashion Statement

Red Tabby Tigger in a Bib

To bib, or not to bib, that is the question. Let's not sugarcoat things -- the Persian's ruff carries evidence of the day's activities and can be an absolute minefield of foulness. If you have a compulsive washer, the ruff will often feature a combination of tangles and cat saliva. Or perhaps you have a "dragger" on your hands who habitually drags his or her ruff through the bowls, picking up cat food and water along the way.

The Challenges of Cat Grooming

Brush Building Blocks

Fortunately, cats are natural groomers. They clean themselves much of their waking hours. They are able to clean themselves by using their tongue and teeth. Long hair cats, however, have more difficulty in keeping themselves free of matted fur.

Grooming your cat may be one of the most difficult activities you ever pursue. The one thing you need to remember is that cats don't like being controlled. They want the control. To groom a cat, you need to try to be in control, so let the challenge begin.

No More Crying Over Tear Stains

Eye Stains

If you have a Persian with a light-colored face, such as white or cream, then you know just how challenging it can be to combat tear stains. Depending on the cat, tears may be very fluid, while others can be thicker and become crusty. Tears may range from rusty in color to blackish. For some Persian owners, wiping the eyes is a daily chore performed throughout the day. And no matter how much you wipe and cleanse, those stubborn stains will not budge.

Solutions for Persian Owners

Persian Cats: Grooming Techniques Part 1

Cotton Swabs and Towels

Some type of grooming is essential for the Persian cat. Obviously, a show cat will need more grooming than a pet. If you love the look of a show cat, but do not show, you can still groom to that perfect show look. This is a series of articles that will cover every aspect of typical grooming sessions for a Persian cat, both for show and pet cats.

It is a good idea to have all your grooming supplies in place before you get your Persian kitten. What you will need:

Grooming Your Show Cat

Get Ready to Groom

There are as many techniques to grooming for a show, as there are breeders. Much depends on the age of the cat, the sex, time of year, color, and coat texture. Sometimes, daily brushing can cause more damage to a show coat than good. Check the coat several times daily, just by petting the cat, and if you feel the start of a small snarl, then comb it out using a wide-tooth metal comb. Never use a slicker brush for any type of daily, deep combing.

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