Cat grooming guides

Cats groom themselves, but they still need your help with mats, claws, teeth and the occasional bath. These guides keep sessions short and stress free.

An orange long-haired Persian cat sitting upright

A person brushing a tortoiseshell cat resting on a patterned blanket

Complete guide · 16 min read

The Complete Guide to At-Home Cat Grooming

A calm, cat-friendly approach to brushing, mats, nail trims, ears, eyes, teeth and the rare bath, with tips for nervous cats.

Read the guide

More cat guides

An orange kitten wrapped in a white towel

Cat Grooming

How to Bathe a Cat (Without the Drama)

Most cats rarely need baths. When yours does, here is how to prepare, wash, rinse and dry with minimum stress.

9 min read

For dogs and cats

These cover techniques that work for both, with notes where cats and dogs need different handling.

A Siberian husky with a thick double coat

All Pets

The Deshedding Guide for Dogs and Cats

Cut down on fur tumbleweeds with the right tools, a seasonal plan and a few habits that make shedding season bearable.

8 min read

Hands gently holding a dog's head and ears

All Pets

How to Clean Your Pet's Ears

Healthy ears versus problem ears, how often to clean, and a gentle method that works for both dogs and cats.

7 min read

A person brushing a dog's teeth with a pet toothbrush

All Pets

Pet Dental Care at Home: Brushing Teeth Made Easy

A slow, treat-based plan to get your dog or cat comfortable with tooth brushing, plus what actually helps besides brushing.

8 min read

An older golden dog resting on the floor

All Pets

Grooming Senior Dogs and Cats

Older pets need softer tools, shorter sessions and closer attention to skin, lumps, nails and joints.

7 min read

A white dog having its face trimmed with grooming scissors

Buy the right tools once

A good comb, a slicker brush and proper nail clippers do most of the work. Our tool kit page lists what is worth buying and what you can skip.

See the tool kit