Every cat parent wants their pet to have a soft, glossy, and beautiful coat. Nonetheless, your cat's coat can become dull over time for a variety of reasons. Today, our Stuart vets discuss some tips on how you can keep your cat's coat healthy, shiny, and clean.
Sometimes all your feline companion requires to look their best is a good skin and coat care routine. Here are some tips for restoring shine and softness to your cat's coat that you can incorporate into your routine so that you and your cat can both enjoy the feeling of a well-cared-for kitty who looks and feels amazing!
Brush Regularly
Brushing your cat's hair removes dead hairs while also stimulating the hair follicles. When brushing your hair, use a wire brush to brush it in the direction of growth. Cats with long, luscious coats require daily brushing. Brushing also helps distribute oil from a cat's skin, ensuring that no oily residues remain on their coat.
Massage the Coat
Massaging stimulates blood flow in your cat's skin and promotes healthy hair growth, which is something that every cat requires. One of the best ways to keep their fur shiny and healthy is to massage away loose fur with a grooming mitt or soft brush. Gently rake your hands down your cat's back while spreading their fur with one hand, then brush away tangles with a brush.
Proper Nutrition
You should get the best cat food for skin or coat available on the pet market if you want a great-looking coat. Because hair strands are 90% protein, a protein-rich diet is key to keeping your cat's coat as shiny as possible. The amino acids in chicken and meaty foods will produce just the right amount of oil for a shiny coat. It will be very beneficial to add fish oil to their food or simply feed them Omega-rich foods like tuna and salmon.
Trim Longer Hairs
Some cats are born with fur genes that cause their fur to grow extremely long and cover their faces. The appearance may amuse you at first, but it can become a nuisance for both you and your cat. So, make sure to trim any fur that hangs over your feline friends' eyes to get the shine back. Trim the hair that gets matted beneath the tail as well.
Avoid Bathing Too Often
Cats, unlike dogs, do not enjoy rolling around and playing in the dirt. They enjoy simple pleasures such as sleeping all day on your bed and licking their thick fur. Overwashing your cat will cause their skin to dry and flake out. As a result, their coats lose essential oils, resulting in less shiny and silky fur.
Invest in the Right Shampoo
The wrong shampoo can strip your cat's hair of its natural oils, causing further damage and making normal fur growth even more difficult. Look for a veterinarian-grade shampoo that contains natural ingredients like aloe vera. If you're unsure about which shampoo to use, always consult your veterinarian.
Be on the Lookout For Balding and/or Matted Areas
Look for thinning, balding, or matted areas on your cat's coat, which usually indicate the presence of a medical problem. You may not be able to achieve the shiny coat you desire if your cat has skin or allergy issues. If you come across any such areas, make sure to get ahead of the problem by having them checked by a veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Getting your cat to have an amazing coat that you can be proud of is a difficult task that will take time. But you'll be able to restore shine and softness to your cat's coat with these helpful tips. The fluffy coat on your cat is more than just soft hairs to stroke. It is critical to keep your fluffball's coat clean and shiny for his or her overall health.
