How can I help my cat keep herself clean?

Cats are naturally very clean animals and seem to groom themselves every chance they get. However, helping your cat groom is a wonderful way to bond and spend time together. Starting when she's a kitten means she'll have got used to you doing it by the time she's grown up, which will make it a lot easier. Kittens learn how to keep themselves clean from their mothers, while they are in the first weeks of their lives. By about six weeks old, most kittens are able to look after their own hygiene by grooming. Cats generally use their tongues to clean their coats, and switch to using their paws to brush places they can't reach with their tongues. It may look like your cat's grooming herself all the time - that's because cats devote more than three and a half hours a day to grooming themselves. While grooming, the roughness of her tongue stimulates the secretion of a natural oil called sebum, which protects her coat from water.

Your role in grooming

Generally, cats groom themselves alone. Sometimes however, they like a little help, which is where you can step in with a fine comb and brush. Long-haired cats need daily grooming to keep their coats free from tangles, to prevent hairballs from forming in the under-fur, and to prevent them from swallowing too many hairs. And the good news is cats of all ages enjoy the sensation of being groomed.

The eyes and ears of a cat are very delicate indeed, so it's best to leave cleaning them to your vet. What you can do is wipe away the "sleep" from corners of her eyes with a moist cloth from time to time.

Going to the loo

You must make sure that your cat's litter tray is always full of clean litter. The best litter to use is Catsan®, as it comes in a number of varieties. Soiled litter must be removed immediately if possible, and remember to completely change the litter at least once a week (more often if she seems to need it). You should also wash the litter tray often, using a mild detergent and warm water.
Cats naturally look for a quiet place to go to the toilet so it's best to put her litter tray somewhere tranquil and out of the way. Most importantly, it should be nowhere near her feeding bowl.

Feeding bowls and beds

Cats take the cleanliness of their feeding bowls very seriously indeed. If your cat feels that hers aren't clean enough, she can even refuse to eat until something is done about it. So you'll need to make sure you clean the bowls regularly. As far as her bed is concerned, there's nothing special for you to consider - she'll choose her own spot. She will be content with a draught-free, quiet, warm and cosy place. To keep her bed clean, it's usually enough to shake the pillows out every now and then, and to wash them from time to time.