Slicker brush
Fine bent-wire bristles. The everyday brush for any coat length. Catches loose hair before the cat swallows it (= hairballs). 2–3× per week minimum for long-haired, weekly for short-haired. Soft pad versions for sensitive skin.
🚚 Free delivery on orders over $100
contact@alleavia.com
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Grooming And Care Cats
✂️ Cat grooming + care
Cat grooming & care — short, regular, calm
Cats groom themselves — but a long-haired cat or a senior cat or a chunky cat physically can't reach all the places. Mats form, hairballs cause vomiting and intestinal blockages, claws overgrow into paw pads. A 5-minute weekly routine prevents most of it. Here's the kit and the calm-handling method.
What we'll be stocking
Grooming kit for cats
Deshedding tool
Furminator or similar — removes undercoat. For double-coated breeds (Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, British Shorthair). Once a week max during shedding seasons (spring + autumn). Over-use damages guard hair.
Wide-tooth + fine-tooth combs
Long-haired cats need both. Wide-tooth for first pass, fine-tooth for finding mats + finishing. Stainless steel only (plastic combs static-charge fur). Critical for armpits, behind ears, "trousers" — top mat-forming zones.
Cat nail clippers
Scissor-style or guillotine. Cat-specific (smaller than dog clippers). Trim every 2–4 weeks — overgrown claws curl back into the paw pad on senior cats. Indoor-only cats especially need help (no outdoor scratching to wear claws down).
Hairball paste / fibre supplements
Laxatone, Easypill paste, fibre supplements. For chronic-vomiting hairball-prone cats. Add to the routine alongside brushing — not a substitute. Talk to vet first if vomiting is frequent (could be IBD, foreign body, or other).
The 5-minute weekly routine
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Brush 3–5 minutes
Long-haired cats: 2–3× weekly. Short-haired: weekly. Slicker brush in the direction of fur growth, then comb-through with metal comb to find missed mats. Build trust gradually with anxious cats — start with one stroke + treat, build up.
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Nails every 2–4 weeks
Squeeze the toe gently — claw extends. Snip just the curved tip — avoid the pink "quick" inside. Indoor-only cats: every 2 weeks. Cats with scratching posts + outdoor access: every 4–6 weeks. Have styptic powder for inevitable nicks.
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Dental — 80% of cats over 3 have disease
Daily brushing with cat-only enzymatic paste (NEVER human paste — fluoride/xylitol toxic) is the gold standard. Realistic alternative: VOHC-approved dental treats (Greenies feline, Purina Pro Plan DentalLife) + annual vet check-up. Stage 3+ disease needs anaesthetic dental clean (€250–€450).
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Eye + ear check
Wipe tear stains with a damp cotton pad (Persians, Himalayans need this daily). Look in the ear — pink, no smell, minimal wax = healthy. Brown gunk + smell = ear mites or yeast (vet visit). NEVER use cotton buds in the ear canal.
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Bath only when essential
Cats almost never need bathing — self-grooming + brushing keeps them clean. Exceptions: oily Sphynx breed (weekly), greasy long-haired senior cat, accident with sticky/toxic substance. Cat-only shampoo, lukewarm water, towel dry. Most cats hate it — get a second person to help.
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Mat handling
Small mat: detangler spray + slicker, work from tip in. Tight mat against skin: don't cut yourself — seek a groomer or vet (under sedation if severe). Aggressive mat-cutting causes deep skin lacerations. Prevention (regular brushing) is the only easy answer.
📦 We're stocking up
Our grooming and care cats range goes live as we vet suppliers — we won't list anything we wouldn't use ourselves. In the meantime, our calculators, breed guides and AI vet tools below are free and don't need stock.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I brush my cat?
Long-haired cats (Persians, Maine Coons, ragdolls, doodle-coats): 2–3× weekly minimum, daily during shedding seasons. Short-haired cats: weekly is plenty. Older + chunkier cats need extra help reaching their lower back + tail base. Watch for mats in the armpit and behind ears.
My cat hates being groomed — what now?
Build slowly: 30-second sessions, high-value treat (chicken, churu paste) immediately after each stroke. Stop BEFORE the cat reacts — leave them wanting more. Never wrestle a cat into grooming — it confirms their fear. Some cats will only ever tolerate professional groomer with light sedation.
Is daily tooth-brushing realistic for cats?
For most owners, no — and that's OK. Realistic plan: introduce paste on a finger from kittenhood (most adult cats refuse). For adult cats: VOHC dental treats + annual vet dental check + accept periodic anaesthetic dental cleans. Don't feel guilty about not brushing; just don't skip the vet checks.
How short should I cut the claws?
Just the curved tip — the pink "quick" inside is sensitive (vein + nerve). Squeeze the toe to extend the claw. Snip 1–2 mm past the curve in good light. If you nick the quick, dab styptic powder + skip the next week. Vet or groomer can demonstrate it once if you're nervous.