Did you know cats spend around a third of their waking hours grooming themselves? Since they’re such fastidious cleaners, you may wonder whether cat grooming at home is really necessary.
The short answer is yes - regular brushing and the occasional bath can help reduce mats and hairballs, support a healthy coat and make it easier to spot fleas, mites or skin concerns.
So, keep reading to find out how to brush and bathe your cat at home, as well as how to trim their nails safely.
Why self-grooming isn't enough
Grooming is not only a cleaning technique but also effectively a soothing ritual that helps them relax. Think of it as self-care for your cat! When they self-groom, their tongue works brilliantly to remove loose hair and spread natural oils through their coat, thanks to the tiny, backward-facing barbs on its surface.
But just because they can groom themselves doesn’t mean you can’t give your cat a helping hand. Many cats, especially long-haired breeds, will get matted fur even when self-cleaning, and all that swallowed loose hair has to go somewhere, which often leads to hairballs.
Regular brushing, together with a dedicated hairball prevention food and other products can go a long way toward reducing hairballs.
Cat grooming basics: where to start
A solid cat grooming routine covers five key areas:
- Brushing and combing their coat
- Bathing as needed
- Checking their teeth
- Checking their ears
- Trimming their nails
The best time to introduce grooming is during kittenhood, so they grow up comfortable with the process. For adult cats new to grooming, ease in gently and choose a moment when they're relaxed, like after a nap.
One of the simplest home cat grooming tips is to keep early sessions short and positive, so your cat learns to associate grooming with calm rather than stress. If grooming feels like more than you want to tackle at home, your local Petstock Vet team can help during their regular overall health check visits.
Never try to cut out a mat with scissors, as a cat’s skin can be easy to nick. For stubborn or tight mats, ask your vet or a professional groomer for help.
How to brush and comb your cat
Start with long, gentle strokes down your cat's back to help them settle, then work down their legs, head and tummy. Many cats find their tummy and hind legs sensitive, so go easy and watch for signs that your cat is becoming annoyed or anxious, such as pinning their ears back, growling or kicking.
Why brushing matters
- Brushing your cat can help with the following:
- Spreads natural oils for a healthy skin and coat
- Catches tangles and knots before they become matted
- Helps you spot fleas, ticks, or skin irritation early
- Builds trust and deepens your bond with your cat
- Gets them used to being handled
- Reduces swallowed hair and hairballs
For short-haired cats, a slicker or bristle brush is usually all you need to spread natural oils and bring out the shine. Medium- and long-haired cats need a bit more care: start with a moulting comb or pin brush to work through tangles, then finish with a softer brush. Go slow and steady.
Brushing also doubles as a quick health check. While you're at it, look for ticks, lumps, wounds or anything unusual on their skin.
How to bathe your cat at home
Most cats need baths only occasionally, if at all. But cats are curious creatures, and yours may occasionally find their way into something sticky or smelly. Getting them comfortable with bathing as a kitten makes things far easier for when you need to bathe them in the future.
If you're bathing your cat for the first time as an adult, go in with patience, an extra pair of hands if possible, and realistic expectations. Stop if your cat becomes distressed, and try again another time if needed. Some cats simply won't tolerate a bath, and that's fine.
Regular brushing can cover most bases, and you can use a damp paper towel or grooming wipe for spot cleaning.
Steps for bathing your cat:
- Fill a sink or tub with a small amount of warm water. A non-slip mat helps your cat feel steadier.
- Wet your cat slowly and calmly with a sponge or jug.
- Lather with a cat-specific shampoo, keeping it well away from their eyes.
- Rinse thoroughly, avoiding their eyes and the inside of their ears.
- Towel dry gently.
- Reassure your cat throughout, and reward good behaviour with a healthy treat afterward.
Checking your cat's ears
Make ear checks part of your regular routine. Knowing your cat’s normal grooming behaviour makes it easier to notice when something is wrong.
Look out for bad odour, dark debris, excess wax, redness, or your cat scratching at their ears more than usual.
If you notice any of these signs, book a visit with your local Petstock Vet. Avoid cleaning deeper than the visible outer ear, as this may cause discomfort or injury. It’s essential that you leave that job to a vet to avoid causing discomfort or injury.
How to safely trim your cat's nails
- Pick a calm moment. Try after a meal or nap rather than during play or immediately after arriving somewhere new.
- Get them comfortable with handling first. Gently hold and massage their paws for a few seconds at a time over several sessions before attempting a trim, especially if they're not used to it.
- Use cat-specific clippers. Small guillotine or scissor-style clippers designed for cats give you better control than human nail clippers.
- Press gently on the paw pad. This extends the claw, making the clear part visible.
- Identify the quick. Look for the pink area inside the nail (the "quick," which contains blood vessels and nerves). Only trim the white tip beyond it, never the pink part.
- Trim a small amount at a time. Snip just the sharp tip in one confident motion. If your cat is dark-clawed and you can't see the quick, trim conservatively in small slivers.
- Reward as you go. Offer a treat or praise after each paw, or even after each nail if your cat needs extra reassurance.
- Stop if they're stressed. If your cat starts struggling, pause and try the remaining paws another day rather than pushing through.
If you’re nervous, your local Petstock Vet can trim your cat’s nails safely and show you how to do it at home.
Building grooming into your routine
A few minutes of brushing most days is one of the easiest ways to bond with your cat while supporting their skin and coat health. Keep feline grooming at home simple by treating bathing, ear checks and nail trims as occasional tasks rather than daily ones. Ask your local Petstock Vet for help with anything outside your comfort zone.
Ready to help with your cat’s grooming routine? Shop cat brushes, shampoos and grooming essentials at Petstock.