A Comprehensive Guide to Cat Grooming in Lebanon
The importance of keeping our companion animals clean cannot be understated.
Both for their sakes and ours, it is imperative that their surroundings and their bodies be kept hygienic. Maintaining a certain standard of cleanliness protects pets from bacteria and parasites that may cause diseases, keeps your home cleaner, and makes the experience of cuddling them all the more pleasurable!
In this article, we will go through all the details of cat grooming in Lebanon. Cats are especially resistant to strangers touching them, and most react adversely to being bathed. So, how exactly are you supposed to keep your cat clean yourself? Keep reading to find out.
CATS DON’T NEED FREQUENT BATHS
Cats are fastidious animals, and as a result, they are constantly grooming themselves! Thus, cats can usually go for longer periods than dogs can without being bathed.
You might be wondering how often you should bathe your cat, but there is no simple answer when it comes to cat grooming in Lebanon. Bathing frequency depends on the individual cat and many other factors, such as whether the cat is an indoor or outdoor cat.
In general, most cat care guides state that cats should only be bathed when absolutely necessary. For these occasions, you will want the right shampoo for the job.
At Charity Shop, we have a few pet shampoos made to combat certain conditions that are excellent for use on both cats and dogs:
- Virbac’s Allermyl shampoo is great for cats with sensitive and itchy skin.
- Virbac’s Sebolytic shampoo is an ideal solution for cats with oily and crusty skin.
- Virbac’s Pyoderm shampoo is used to relieve cats of bacterial and fungal infections.
Remember to have your cat examined and consult with your vet before using any special shampoo or product for cat grooming in Lebanon.
BRUSH RATHER THAN BATHE
Just because they don’t need to be bathed as often doesn’t mean that you can skip brushing your cat! In fact, cats need to be brushed more often than dogs.
This should be done for two reasons:
- First, paired with their own grooming habits, frequently brushing your cat can act as a substitute to bathing them. In this way, you can minimize the stress caused by getting your cat wet yet still keep your kitty purrfectly clean!
2. Second, brushing them often helps to minimize the discomfort caused by hairballs.
We currently have one brush made for use on both cats and dogs at Charity Shop:
- Our Pet Brush is excellent for use on low-maintenance pet fur either wet or dry.
WHAT ARE HAIRBALLS?
In the previous section, we briefly brushed over (pun intended!) hairballs.
What are they, and how do they occur?
In short, a cat’s tongue is a bit like velcro. This makes it ideal for straightening and snagging any loose fur and dirt. Since this is all captured by the tongue, it ends up in your cat’s mouth and by extension in their digestive system!
Since hair is indigestible, it has to exit your cat’s system in some way. As you already know, there are only two options for this indigestible fur to be expelled through your cat’s body: either through the mouth or the anus. When expelled through the mouth, this fur is called a hairball. A cat may wheeze and retch until the hairball is out. Some cats have hairballs more frequently than others. These include cats with thick and long fur.
If your cat struggles with hairballs, of course the best solution is to stay on top of their loose fur by brushing them frequently. There are also certain products formulated to ease their passing through your cat’s digestive system.
- Charity Shop’s Royal Canin Hairball Care which comes in a 2 kg bag is created to reduce hairball excretion.
- Equilibrio’s Hairball Adult, which comes in both a 2 kg or 7.5 kg bag, is also another great dietary choice to help control hairball production.
WIPES ARE ANOTHER OPTION
Pet wipes can be a great way to control messes and administer a quick cleanse. Check out the wipes we sell at Charity Shop formulated for use on both cats and dogs:
- Pet Soft pet wipes are amazing for grooming fur, leaving it with a soft texture and a fresh apple scent.
- Ferribiella Salviette pet wipes are especially good at absorbing odors, thanks to the addition of talc to their ingredient list.
- Uarone pet wipes are another excellent choice for both cats and dogs.
REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR CAT’S MOUTH AND TEETH CLEAN
What do humans, cats, and dogs all have in common? A lot, actually, but we all need our teeth to be kept clean, plaque-free, and cavity-free.
- Try our Virbac Vet Aquadent Anti-plaque. This is an additive that can keep his or her mouth fresh and plaque-free! It is highly useful if your cat reacts negatively when you try brushing their teeth in the traditional way. The solution should be added to your cat’s drinking water (5 ml of Virbac per 500 ml of water) to help maintain oral hygiene for overall cat grooming in Lebanon.
EYES AND EARS
To keep your kitty’s senses purrfectly sharp, you will need to make sure that these areas remain clean and clear of debris.
- Virbac Nettoyant Physiologique pour les yeux is an excellent eye cleanser for cats and dogs. Use with a clean cloth or cotton pad to regularly clean your cat’s eye-area, especially if he or she is prone to eye infections.
- Virbac Epiotic Ear Cleanser can also be used in conjunction with a clean cotton pad or cloth to keep your cat’s ear area clear.
DON’T FOGET YOUR CAT’S SKIN, NAILS, AND PAW PADS
Your feline’s nails also need to be trimmed to prevent unnecessary snagging and injuries. This should be done as necessary, but it’s usually every two or three weeks. Always remember to stop before the quick!
- Cat’s paw pads can also be kept clean without dehydrating them by using our Blue Pet Brand Paw Foam Cleaner, which is suitable for use on both cats and dogs!
- Your cat’s skin and fur can be kept hydrated and shiny by using our Blue Pet Brand Sun Moisturizer Peach.
LITTER
Cats are also extremely particular when it comes to their bathroom habits. Did you know that most cats will refuse to use a litter box that’s not clean enough?
Cats tend to prefer open litter boxes, as closed ones trap odors and make it more uncomfortable for them to eliminate properly.
Most cat litter generally comes in two types: clumping and non-clumping.
Clumping cat litter will all “clump” or stick together once there is liquid or waste in it.
Non-clumping litter does not behave in this way. As a result, clumping cat litter is easier to clean, and is the more hygienic option. It is easier to keep the whole litter box and your home clean if the soiled litter does not fall apart and scatter everywhere!
At Charity Shop, we make it easy for you to maintain a hygienic litter box for your feline friend as a part of cat grooming in Lebanon.
- Check out our selection of litter boxes here.
We currently sell two brands of clumping litter at Charity Shop:
- BentySandy is a high-quality clumping litter that comes in scented and unscented varieties.
- Champ is a 100% natural and biodegradable clumping and scoopable cat litter. It is mildly scented and perfect for odor control in enclosed spaces.
PROTECT YOUR CAT FROM PARASITES
Last but most definitely not least, remember that an essential part of cat grooming in Lebanon is keeping unwanted creatures at bay!
Not only do internal and external parasites compromise your cat’s quality of life, but they can also pose a serious sanitary risk!
Fleas excrete “flea dirt” and lay eggs.
Ticks fill with your cat’s blood and swell up, resulting in unsightly inflated sacks in your cat’s fur.
These external parasites can also cause anemia and a host of other health problems.
Internal parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms, can cause nutritional deficiencies and affect your cat’s appearance negatively (pot-belly and unhealthy fur). These worms’ eggs can also dirty the cat’s surroundings (i.e. your home).
So, how can you be sure that your cat is rid of these pesky pests?
Well, the number one solution is always regular vet check-ups and dewormings.
If you want to take matters into your own hands, and you have the proper diagnosis and approval from your vet, you can try some of Charity Shop’s products:
- Virbac’s Effipro spray eliminates fleas and ticks.
- Blue Pet Brand’s Tick and Fleas Repellent also keeps ticks and fleas away using apple cider vinegar as its main ingredient. This is a brilliant option for pet parents concerned about harmful chemicals in tick and flea sprays.
- Tenizol Deworming oral tablets combat parasitic worms. Make sure to give your cat the appropriate dosage according to his or her weight as specified by your vet or listed on the package.
Did you learn anything new from this article? We bet you have learned one thing at least: Keeping your cat clean is easy with all these options at your fingertips! Get the best products and deals for cat grooming in Lebanon with Charity Shop, and spoil your feline friend while helping another in need.
Best regards,
The Charity Shop Team
