Grooming Your Cat's Coat

The cat's coat is often one of the most striking features of its appearance. The basis for a good-looking coat is quality nutrition and a loving low-stress environment.

Basically, cats grow two different kinds of hairs in their coat:

• Guard hair - the longer type of hair, which constitutes the topcoat.
• Secondary hair - the dense layer of hairs that make up the undercoat. Secondary hair can be woolly or awn type, and often is a combination of both.

The variety of coat texture, found in cat breeds, comes from different combinations of hair types or from mutations in a specific hair type. With today's multitude of breeds, new and different types of coats are becoming less rare. Some need a different method of grooming than others. It is important to understand the build of the coat, and to groom it properly.

Most domestic shorthairs need relatively little grooming. Regular brushing, at least once a week helps to keep the coat looking good, by removing dead hair. Getting rid of dead hair also prevents it from scattering around your home. It is advised to often brush cats that shed a lot. Usually it is not necessary to bathe a shorthair cat, unless it gets its coat very dirty. You should also bathe the cat if it is covered with a substance that you don't want him to lick off.

Many domestic Longhairs need to be brushed daily, or at least three times a week, depending on fur length and density. This is necessary to prevent tangles and matting of the fur. Bathing regularly is also recommended, because the cat may have difficulties keeping its long coat clean.

You should also comb your cat for ticks, fleas and flea eggs if you live in an area where infestations of these pests are particularly hard to control. This is especially necessary for cats living in rural areas, where they are allowed to be outside a great deal.

If you own a purebred cat, it is best to consult with the breeder about the special care its coat needs. Books devoted to the care of specific breeds are also available. Note that preparing a cat for showing involves a complex grooming procedure, starting weeks before the show. This procedure is not covered in this article and it is best to ask an experienced breeder for advice and even a demonstration.

Here are a few common cat breeds with different coat types and recommended guidelines for grooming them:

	Persian	Bathe every few weeks and brush daily.
	British shorthair	Brush once a week to remove dead hair. Bathe as necessary.
	Ragdoll	Brush regularly at least once a week. Bathe as necessary.
	Siamese	Brush once a week. Bathe as necessary.
	Sphynx	Sponge-bathe regularly to remove excess body oils.

Anne Moss is the founder and owner of TheCatSite.com. She is a cat behaviorist and a member of the Cats Writers Association.