FACE CLEANING
The secret to clean eyes lies in 1 of 2 components: exemplary genetics or having the right products. If the genetics aren’t there, these products can be easily purchased online: Eye Envy, EW Grooming Powder, Terramycin, and Lysin (for food). The use of only one will not resolve tear draining and staining completely.
TRIMMING
Let’s face it, all Persians get the eventual dingle berry hitchhiking on their rear end. The good news is that this is avoidable if they are kept tidy and trimmed back there. A job well done means you are able to clearly see their rear star. Trimming the hairs coming down the hind legs will also prevent capturing stray poop and the flush of liquid that comes from the occasional soft stool. Safety scissors are essential to assuring that inadvertent movements don’t result in puncture wounds. We also recommend Pet shears to keep belly and armpit hair neatly trimmed. In this cattery, we believe that practice makes perfect but contacting a professional groomer is not a bad idea if you don’t have a steady hand.
BRUSHING
Brushing a Persian is more than just about preserving beauty, it is about health. Regular brushing is essential to reduce mat formation, letting the skin breathe, and avoiding internal hairballs. Two tools that we favor are called a detangling rake with rotating teeth and a slicker brush for cats. The detangling rake with rotating teeth breaks up the tangles and the slicker brush is good for daily maintenance, especially under the armpits and hind legs.
Note, we purchase these two products from Petco and think they are slightly superior inbuilt than the ones from amazon, but both get the job well done.
BATHING
Lastly, a Persian looks best right after a bath – well maybe not immediately after but when they plush out again after a day or two. Regular bathing, especially of white Persians with outdoor access makes them look like an angel yer round. We bathe our white Persians about once a month, possibly two times a month depending on how much dirt they accumulate. Our other darker-colored Persians only get bathed about once every two months because they do not show dirt. Our idea is if we can’t see it, feel it, or smell it, they are clean. After all, most cats do bathe themselves regularly.
BATHING TIPS
- Get them used to it from the time they are kittens. This means that even if they do not need a bath, make sure to shower them at least once a month. This gets them used to the process and makes it a habit.
- Trim their nails before a shower!
- Use a degreasing shampoo such as Groomers Goop if they have an oily coat and always make sure to use conditioner if they knot easily.
- Talk to them because silence can be painful. Sweet talking reassures them that you are not upset at them and this is not a punishment.
- Don’t let their persistent, loud protest deter you. Most kittens will tolerate showers very well but as they get older they tend to voice their discontent more passionately.
- Blow-dry their fur! But first, remember to absorb as much water as possible with a towel and brush their fur apart to make blow-drying easier. This may require two people depending on the cat. Using an ultra-quiet hairdryer makes blow-dying more tolerable for the cat; possibly even enjoyable. One of our studs named Milo loves the gust of air that blows onto his chest. Blow-drying a cat normally takes about 45 min – 1 hour (depending on size) so plan your time accordingly.
- Reward your cat! You know your cat best so make sure they are extra comfortable after a shower. Some of my cats prefer catnip, while others a can of tuna. Some cats are exceptionally good at predicting human behavior and knowing there is a reward in store for afterward may help distract them from the process.