Siberian cats may have long, thick coats, but these coats are often relatively self-sustaining. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a responsibility to invest time in a grooming routine for your cat. There are many reasons a cat may need extra help with grooming, from laziness to obesity to medical conditions, all of which can lead to mats, tangles, and waste buildup.
It’s important for you to create a grooming routine with your Siberian when they are still young, so if the time comes that they need extra help with grooming, they’ll be used to the routine you’ve created and enjoy it.
The 4 Tips To Make Grooming Your Siberian Cat Easy
1. Create the Routine
The easiest way to manage your cat’s coat is to create a routine both of you can get into the groove of. It’s much easier for you to get your cat used to and enjoy being brushed if you start when they are young and build a regular routine to keep their coat healthy. Ideally, you should be brushing your Siberian cat once per week, although two or three times per week can also be beneficial.
By creating a grooming routine with your cat, you’ll build trust between the two of you, enhancing the bond you share. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to catch problems, like mats, early enough to take care of them before they create serious issues.
2. Invest in Supplies
The wrong grooming supplies can make grooming your Siberian a negative experience for both of you, so it’s necessary to invest in the right supplies for the job. To choose the right grooming supplies, you must first understand your cat’s coat. Siberians have a long, thick coat, and the wrong type of brush or comb isn’t going to penetrate through the coat, which means you’ll be leaving behind dead skin and loose hair.
A metal comb can help you get deep into the coat, while a metal slicker brush will help remove loose hair and distribute the skin’s natural oils. A deshedding brush formulated for longhaired cats can be beneficial in removing excess shed, although they should be used carefully since their sharp teeth can damage the skin if used incorrectly. Some cats prefer softer grooming tools like a silicone brush.
3. Choose a High-Quality Food
The number one part of maintaining your cat’s healthy skin and coat is feeding them high-quality cat food that provides them with excellent nutrition. Foods high in omega fatty acids are a good way to maintain both, and vitamin E is a good nutrient for skin health. Food rich in protein will meet your cat’s carnivorous nutritional needs, as well as support growth, healing, and overall maintenance of the body. If you feel like your cat’s skin and coat need a little extra support, supplements like fish oil can be added to their food to provide extra nutrients.
4. Talk to a Professional Groomer
Sometimes, a professional groomer can become necessary for maintaining your cat’s coat. Whether it’s a one-time thing or a regular visit, a professional groomer can help get out tangles and mats you can’t manage at home, as well as trimming around your kitty’s back end if they typically get waste and litter stuck to them. Talking to a groomer before your cat needs it can be extremely beneficial because it allows you to meet them, get comfortable with them, and, most importantly, make sure they groom cats. Seek out a fear-free groomer who doesn’t use sedation in their cat grooms.
Conclusion
Maintaining the coat of a Siberian cat isn’t particularly difficult in most situations, but it does require a time commitment from you to get your cat comfortable with home grooming. In some cases, professional grooming may be a necessity. A groomer can manage issues with your cat’s coat that you’re simply not able to manage yourself at home, which can help enhance the health of your cat’s skin and coat, along with improving their hygiene.
Featured Image Credit: Massimo Cattaneo, Shutterstock
