Grooming Your Senior Cat
As cats get older, they may begin to ignore their own hygiene. This can be due to various factors, but the result is consistent. Matting, overgrowth of nails, bad breath, and an overall bad smell are a few ways that this neglect of hygiene can present itself. During this phase of life, it is crucial for owners to assume some of those grooming duties for themselves. Here are a few ways that you can help keep your cat clean and comfortable in their later years.​​
Brushing
When cats lick themselves, they are doing a very important job, removing shed fur, dust and dandruff from their bodies. When cats get older there are many reasons why they stop doing this, it could be pain from arthritis, a soar mouth, bad teeth, weight gain from a health issue, ect. No matter what the reason is, this lack of grooming can cause the hair to start to mat together. Matting is not only uncomfortable, as it pulls tightly on the skin, but it can also do physical damage to the skin if left untreated. The best way to prevent this is to brush your cat on a regular basis with a comb or slicker brush.
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If your cat is already experiencing matting, do not try to cut them out yourself. Because of the tight pull from the mat, the skin can be easily cut by scissors or clippers. It is best to get them professionally shaved by a vet or groomer. If brushing is not an option for your kitty, keeping them shaved in the problem areas for matting is always a good option.
Nail Trims
Many cat owners will agree that one of the hardest parts of cat ownership is dealing with the scratching of items around the house, but did you know that scratching is an important part of a cats hygiene. Cat’s nails don’t grow in the same way dog’s nails do, they grow in layers that causes the nail to gradually grow thicker and longer. When a cat scratches, they dislodge the outermost layer of their claw, revealing the sharper and shorter claw underneath. This is why many cat owners don't end up cutting their cats nails for long periods of time, they tend to manage it themselves.
Just like everything else in the body, however, cats’ nails can change as they grow older. Often the outer layers of the nails stop shedding and the nail will become very thick and brittle. At this time in their lives, it is very important to keep an eye on your cats’ nails. If left unchecked, the nail can become ingrown which is very painful.
It's a good idea to get your cat used to nail trims at an early age, if possible, but it’s never too late to start. Playing with their feet on a regular basis can help get them used to being touched. If it’s too difficult to do at home, bringing them to the vet or groomer is always an option.
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Bathing
It’s almost never a fun experience giving a cat a bath, but in some cases it may be necessary. For most of a cat’s life, baths are not something you generally need to do for them, they tend to keep themselves clean by licking, however that can change as they age. Brushing, as mentioned above, can keep matting and shedding down, but without the deodorizing effects from their saliva and other debris that can get caught in their fur, there may come a time when a bath is necessary.
When giving a cat a bath, make sure you are using shampoo that is specifically labeled for cats. It's important to use shampoo that was made for the pH of a cat’s skin otherwise it can cause itchiness and skin irritation. Positive reinforcement may also be helpful with bath time. Treats are a great way to get a cat to cooperate in situations they may not enjoy, but in many cases treats may not be enough. If your cat needs a bath, but is too difficult to handle, talk to your vet and they will be able to help.