Dr. Lori Teller, an associate professor at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has shared some helpful cat grooming tips with the school’s Pet Talk newsletter.

You can read the full article HERE. Here’s some key advice on keeping your cat clean, healthy, and happy with grooming.

While most cats do a good job with self-grooming, an occasional brushing can help remove dirt, dandruff, and dead hair caught in the coat. Removing this dead hair is a good way to minimize shedding and the formation of hairballs.

Many cats enjoy a nice brushing, so it’s a good way to bond with your feline friend. You can also check for any unusual skin issues like lumps during this time.

Bristle or slicker brushes work well for short-haired cats. Owners of long-haired cats may want to purchase a good quality metal comb and a de-shedding tool/undercoat rake to groom thicker coats.

Shaving is not recommended for short or long-haired cats. Cats with fluffy coats can develop mats if not groomed regularly. Severe matting may require some shaving but brushing and combing can help prevent mats from forming.

Check out this professional cat groomer’s advice on dealing with mats in long-haired cats HERE.

Overweight cats can have difficulty reaching all areas of the body when licking themselves, so a little extra grooming and cleaning assistance from owners may be needed.

Veterinarians don’t usually recommend that cat owners tackle ear cleaning themselves. If you notice a buildup of dirt or wax, consult with your vet before cleaning a cat’s ears.

Get your cat used to regular at-home nail trimming (and tooth brushing). Begin when your cat is young. You can also start gradually and reward good “pawdicure” behavior with a treat.