Cat grooming isn’t just for the pros. You too can help the family feline look and feel better as a result of regular grooming. Stay tuned to this four- part series to better educate yourself on the dos and don’ts of at-home cat grooming.

Test Your Pet’s Temperament -Cat behavior and your safety go hand-in-hand. Although not all cats will act out for grooming, keep an eye out for a few key signs that show the cat does not want to participate in the grooming experience. Those signs include the flattening of ears, growling, hissing and fast twitching of the tail. If your cat exhibits  any of these signs of aggression before you start grooming, seek out a professional’s help to avoid getting scratched or injured by your feline friend.

Find Your Grooming Space – To start the grooming process, find a small room where it’s easiest to groom your cat, such as your bathroom. The best place is ideally behind a closed door where there are no other pets to cause distraction. A room with a door will also prevent the animal from escaping.

First Steps – Before doing any kind of grooming, always clip your cat’s nails. Clipping the cat’s nails first will help prevent injury if the cat does get angry and decides to scratch.  Prior to bathing, make sure to brush and then comb with a small metal comb to remove all of the dead coat, mats and tangles. Follow up with a flea comb to remove any excess undercoat left behind. If mats and tangles are not removed before bathing the cat, they will get tighter and could get to the point of having to be shaved out.