Grooming Your British Cats

loveofbrits
Mar 18
4 min read

Updated: Mar 28

Brushing

Longhaired kittens must be brushed daily with a wide-tooth brush. Use a slicker brush for behind the ears, under the chin, chest, armpits, back of legs and stomach areas as that's where they tend to mat the most. Be very gentle with brushing the belly, as cats do not like to be touched there. Remove any mats. Sometimes it may be easier to cut out mats rather than untangle them. Shorthaired kittens can be brushed once a week to remove any dead hairs.

Bathing Your British Longhair and Shorthair Cat

Cats are very good at cleaning themselves when they are older. Little kittens may need a spot bath every once in a while. Try to minimize bathing when kitties:

Have gotten into something really messy or sticky
Have thrown up or had a bad litter box accident
Need to be bathed in flea or anti-fungal medications

Be sure you have everything you need on hand before you get your cat wet. I can't emphasize this enough. It will make bath time go faster, which is a good thing for both you and your cat. Plus, you'll avoid the awkward situation of desperately calling out for a towel while you try to keep your sudsy cat calm and still.

Grooming a British Longhair kitten

Here's what you need:

Shampoo made specifically for cats, as you should avoid using shampoo from your own shower since it can contain fragrances and other substances that could irritate your cat's skin.
A pitcher for rinsing if you're not using a tub or sink that has a spray nozzle
A soft cloth to wash your cat's face
Cotton balls to help clean the ears
Rubber gloves to prevent scratches—they're not completely scratch-proof, but they certainly help. A long sleeve shirt is also a good idea.
A large towel to dry your cat off

You can bathe your cat in the sink or bathtub, depending on their size. The sink may be easier since you don't have to kneel or bend down. You can also purchase a plastic tub from a pet store to get the job done.

Now we have everything you need, Let's Start Bathing

Prep Your Cat – If you're wondering how to keep a cat calm while bathing, it can be helpful first to get your cat used to being in the sink or tub—try putting them in without water, giving them a few treats, and then lifting them out. If possible, you can do this several times in the days before you plan to give your cat a bath to help things go smoother.
Add Cat to Water – Put a few inches of lukewarm water in the sink or tub and place your cat gently inside. Keep your cat calm by talking soothingly and praising them for good behavior. (I know, easier said than done!)
Wet Your Cat Down – Wet your cat's body and tail while avoiding the face. Most cats don't like water in their face, and you'll definitely want to avoid upsetting your soaked kitty.
Lather and Rinse – Add the shampoo, lather, and rinse your cat thoroughly. Try not to leave any soap residue behind, which can irritate your cat's skin.
Clean the Face – Use the soft cloth to wipe off your cat's whiskered face carefully. You can also clean the outside of the ears with a cotton ball. Never use a Q-tip or other instrument to clean the inside of your cat's ears, which could cause injury.

When you're done, wrap the towel gently around your cat and lift them out of the sink or tub. Now that the bath is over, you'll need to dry your cat off with the towel, so they won't be uncomfortable or get cold. If you choose to use a hairdryer, only use a low heat setting. Turn it on and point it away from your cat and let them get used to the noise. More than likely, your cat will be afraid of the noise. If they allow you to hair dry them, provide plenty of treats afterwards. If the hairdryer is just too much, continue towel drying and leave them in a warm room to finish drying.

Eye cleaning

This must be done daily, if needed. To clean a cat's eyes, gently wipe away any discharge with a soft, damp cotton ball dipped in cooled boiled water or a veterinarian-recommended saline solution, moving from the inner corner of the eye outwards, using a fresh cotton ball for each eye to prevent cross-contamination; never touch the eyeball directly, and consult your vet if you notice any signs of irritation or infection.

Ear cleaning

This must be done once a month. To clean a cat's ears, use a cat-specific ear cleaning solution and cotton balls to gently wipe the visible outer ear, then put a few drops of the solution into the ear canal, massage the base of the ear to loosen debris, and let your cat shake their head to remove excess liquid; never use cotton swabs as they can damage the eardrum; consult your vet before cleaning your cat's ears if you have any concerns.

Nail trimming

This must be done every 3-4 weeks. To trim a cat's claws, gently hold their paw, locate the "quick" (the pink, sensitive part inside the nail), and use cat-specific nail clippers to trim only the white tip of the claw, avoiding the quick to prevent bleeding; if your cat is anxious, try wrapping them in a towel for added security, and always reward them with a treat after trimming.

Sanitary hair trim

This must be done on longhaired cats every 3-4 weeks, or as necessary. Buy small clippers and shave under the tail and the "pants" areas on the legs of your long-haired kitty. It will help the kitten stay clean.