Grooming is always a huge challenge for new pet parents.
Their long, thick, shaggy coats, large tufted ears, and bushy tails make them stand out among other cat breeds.
But it also means mats, knots, dandruff, and other skin problems that can affect their comfort and well-being, which makes regular grooming a must.
Another great challenge is trimming nails.
Cats’ claws are rounded, tapered and thicker than human nails.
This means they can get crushed by nail clippers rather than cleanly cut.
Therefore, it can cause discomfort and pain for the cat, resulting in an uneven cut, affecting the claw’s ability to grow and causing future problems.
Another problem of clipping nails for cats is that they may not like having their paws touched or held.
Some cats may resist, struggle, or scratch when you try to trim their nails. This can make the process stressful and difficult for you and your cat.
But don’t worry, it is only a matter of practice and techniques. Grooming your Maine Coon cat is not as complicated as it may seem.
With the right tools, techniques, and tips, you can make it a fun and enjoyable experience for you and your feline friend.
In this post, I will show you how to groom your Maine Coon cat step by step, and answer some common questions that you may have along the way.
What Do I Need To Prepare Before Grooming?
Before you start grooming your Maine Coon cat, you need to prepare some essential items that will make the process easier and more effective.
Here are some of the things that you will need:
- A soft-bristle brush
This is the most important tool for grooming your Maine Coon cat.
A soft-bristle brush will help you detangle their fur, remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, and distribute natural oils throughout their coat.
You can use a slicker brush for this purpose.
- A wide-tooth comb
This is another useful tool for grooming your Maine Coon cat.
A wide-tooth comb will help you remove any mats or knots that are too stubborn for the brush to handle.
You can also use it to comb their tail and their fur around their ears and paws.
- A pair of scissors
This is an optional tool for grooming your Maine Coon cat.
You can use scissors to trim any excess hair that may bother your cat or interfere with their hygiene.
For example, you can trim the hair around their eyes, nose, mouth, anus, and genitals.
You can also trim the hair between their toes to prevent dirt from accumulating.
- A nail clipper
This is another optional tool for grooming your Maine Coon cat.
You can use a nail clipper to trim their claws if they are too long or sharp.
This will prevent them from scratching themselves or damaging your furniture.
You can use a guillotine-style clipper or a scissor-style clipper for this purpose.
- A shampoo
This is a tool that you will only need occasionally for grooming your Maine Coon cat.
You can use a shampoo to wash their coat if it is very dirty or smelly.
However, you should not bathe your cat too often, as it can dry out their skin and strip away their natural oils.
You should only use a shampoo that is specially formulated for cats.
- A towel
This is a tool that you will need every time you groom your Maine Coon cat.
You can use a towel to dry them after brushing or bathing them.
You should use a soft and absorbent towel that will not irritate their skin or leave any lint on their fur.
- A hair dryer
This is another tool that you will need every time you groom your Maine Coon cat.
You can use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process after brushing or bathing them.
You should use a low setting and keep a safe distance from their skin to avoid burning them or scaring them.
How To Groom Your Maine Coon Cat Step By Step?
Now that you have all the necessary tools ready, you can start grooming your Maine Coon cat step by step. Here are the steps that you should follow:
Step 1: Choose a comfortable and quiet place
The first step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to choose a comfortable and quiet place where you can do it without any distractions or interruptions.
You can use a table, a couch, a bed, or the floor as long as it is stable and spacious enough for both of you.
You should also make sure that the place is well-lit and ventilated.
Step 2: Brush their coat thoroughly
The second step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to brush their coat thoroughly with a soft-bristle brush.
You should start from their head and work your way down to their tail, following the direction of their hair growth.
You should use gentle strokes and avoid pulling or tugging on their fur.
You should also pay attention to areas prone to matting, such as the chest, belly, armpits, and hind legs.
You should brush their coat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until you remove all the loose hair, dirt, and debris.
Step 3: Comb their coat carefully
The third step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to comb their coat carefully with a wide-tooth comb.
You should use the comb to remove any mats or knots that the brush could not handle.
You should start from the end of the mat or knot and work your way up to the root, gently teasing it apart with the comb.
You should also use the comb to comb their tail and their fur around their ears and paws.
Step 4: Trim their hair if needed
The fourth step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to trim their hair if needed with a pair of scissors.
You should only trim the hair that is bothering your cat or interfering with their hygiene.
For example, you can trim the hair around their eyes, nose, mouth, anus, and genitals.
You can also trim the hair between their toes to prevent dirt from accumulating.
You should be very careful when using scissors and avoid cutting too close to their skin or injuring them.
Step 5: Clip their nails if needed
The fifth step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to clip their nails if needed with a nail clipper.
You should only clip their nails if they are too long or sharp.
This will prevent them from scratching themselves or damaging your furniture.
You should hold their paw gently and press on their toe pad to expose their nail.
You should then cut off the tip of the nail, avoiding the pink part that contains blood vessels and nerves.
You should also check for any split or broken nails and remove them.
Step 6: Bathe them if needed
The sixth step to grooming your Maine Coon cat is to bathe them if needed, with a shampoo.
You should only bathe your cat if their coat is very dirty or smelly.
However, you should not bathe them too often, as it can dry out their skin and strip away their natural oils.
You should thoroughly fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water and wet your cat’s coat.
You should then apply some shampoo and massage it into their fur to avoid getting any soap in their eyes, ears, or nose.
You should then rinse them thoroughly and wrap them in a towel.
Step 7: Dry them completely
The seventh and final step to groom your Maine Coon cat is to dry them thoroughly with a towel and a hair dryer.
You should use a soft and absorbent towel to dry them as much as possible, rubbing them gently and squeezing out any excess water.
You should then use a hair dryer on a low setting and keep a safe distance from the skin to speed up the drying process.
You should also use a brush or a comb to fluff up their fur and make it look shiny and smooth.
How to Trim Nails of Maine Coon Cat Step By Step?
- Wait until your cat is calm and relaxed.
Pick a time when your cat feels nice and relaxed, like when it’s just getting up from a nap, getting ready to nap, or calmly resting on its favorite surface during the day.
Don’t try to trim your cat’s nails right after play time when it’s hungry, restless and running around, or in an otherwise aggressive mood.
• Use nail clippers designed for a cat.
Before sitting down to cut your cat’s nails, be sure you have the right equipment to do so.
To trim your cat’s nails, use a pair of nail clippers designed to clip cat claws and a styptic pencil. You can use a guillotine-style clipper or a scissor-style clipper for this purpose:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKw9DG6O2wQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEXWQIOV8s.
Clippers don’t stay sharp forever, so discard them (or send them for sharpening) if you suspect the blades have gone dull.
Styptic pencils cauterize blood vessels when touched to the nail and help prevent bleeding.
If you cut the quick, hold the styptic pencil to the claw for 1 – 2 minutes to stop the bleeding
• Hold your cat on its back and grab one of its paws in your hand.
If it resists or struggles, you can use a towel to wrap your cat in a swaddle position.
This will help you restrain your cat and keep it calm while you trim its nails
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEXWQIOV8shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE4mpEM8914.
Press gently on your cat’s paw to spread its toes out and expose its nail
• Clip one nail at a time with nail clippers, trimming just the tips of the nails off.
You should hold the nail clippers perpendicular to the nail and cut off the tip, avoiding the pink part that contains blood vessels and nerves.
This is called the quick and cutting it will cause bleeding and pain for your cat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKw9DG6O2wQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEXWQIOV8s.
You should also check for any split or broken nails and remove them.
• Let go of your cat after a nail or two so it won’t feel agitated.
Work your way on each paw until you finish trimming all the nails.
Reward your cat with praise, treats, or play time after you finish clipping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKw9DG6O2wQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEXWQIOV8s.
These are the steps that you should follow to clip the nails of a Maine Coon cat.
You should do this regularly, about once every 10 days or so, to keep your cat’s nails healthy and prevent them from scratching themselves or damaging your furniture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEXWQIOV8s. I hope this helps you with your grooming task.
How Often Should You Groom Your Maine Coon Cat?
The frequency of grooming your Maine Coon cat depends on several factors, such as their coat length, thickness, texture, color, season, lifestyle, and health condition.
However, as a general rule of thumb, you should groom your Maine Coon cat at least once a week, preferably two or three times a week.
This will help you keep their coat healthy, shiny, and tangle-free, as well as prevent hairballs, skin problems, parasites, and infections.
It will also help you bond with your cat and monitor any changes in their appearance or behavior that may indicate an underlying issue.
How Do I Keep My Maine Coon Cat From Matting?
Matting is one of the most common problems that Maine Coon cats face due to their long and thick coat.
Mats are clumps of tangled hair that can cause discomfort, pain, irritation, inflammation, infection, and even skin damage to your cat.
To prevent matting in your Maine Coon cat, you should follow these tips:
- Brush your cat regularly with a soft-bristle brush to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris.
- Comb your cat carefully with a wide-tooth comb to remove any mats or knots the brush could not handle.
- Trim any excess hair that may bother your cat or interfere with their hygiene.
- Bathe your cat occasionally with a specially formulated shampoo for cats.
- Use a conditioner or a detangler spray to moisturize and smooth your cat’s coat.
- Avoid using products that contain alcohol, chemicals, or fragrances that can dry out or irritate your cat’s skin.
- Keep your cat indoors or provide a sheltered area if they go outside.
- Avoid exposing your cat to extreme temperatures or humidity that affect their coat quality.
- Feed your cat a balanced diet that contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that promote healthy skin and coat.
FAQ
Are you supposed to cut Maine Coon cat’s hair?
No, you are not supposed to cut Maine Coon cat’s hair unless it is absolutely necessary.
Maine Coon cats have a long, thick, and shaggy coat that helps them regulate their body temperature, protect their skin from sunburns and bug bites, and repel water and dirt.
Cutting their hair can interfere with these functions and cause them discomfort, pain, or health problems.
The only situations where cutting Maine Coon cat’s hair may be appropriate are:
- When the hair is severely matted and cannot be detangled with a brush or a comb.
Mats are clumps of tangled hair that can cause irritation, inflammation, infection, or skin damage to the cat.
- When the hair is bothering the cat or interfering with their hygiene.
For example, you can trim the hair around their eyes, nose, mouth, anus, and genitals if it is too long or dirty.
You can also trim the hair between their toes to prevent dirt from accumulating.
You should be careful when using scissors and avoid cutting too close to the skin or injuring the cat.
- When the cat has a medical condition that requires shaving.
For example, some vets may recommend shaving for skin infections, allergies, parasites, or surgical procedures.
In this case, you should follow the vet’s instructions and ensure the cat is comfortable and well-cared for after shaving.
To prevent the need for cutting Maine Coon cat’s hair, you should groom your cat regularly with a soft-bristle brush and a wide-tooth comb to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris.
Bathe your cat occasionally with a specially formulated shampoo for cats.
Consider feeding your cat a balanced diet that contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that promote healthy skin and coat.
Do Cats Enjoy Grooming?
Yes, cats do enjoy grooming themselves and each other.
Grooming is a natural behavior that cats learn from their mothers and littermates since kittenhood.
Grooming has several benefits for cats, such as:
- Keeping their coat clean and smooth by distributing natural oils throughout their fur.
- Stimulating circulation and cooling themselves down through evaporation of saliva.
- Eliminating parasites, infection, and allergies.
- Reducing stress and anxiety by releasing dopamine in their brain.
- Bonding with other cats or humans by sharing a positive sensation
However, not all cats enjoy grooming equally.
Some cats may groom more or less than others depending on their personality, mood, health condition, or environment.
Some cats may also groom excessively or compulsively to cope with stress, boredom, pain, or psychological disorders.
This can result in self-inflicted injuries like hair loss, skin lesions, or infections.
If you notice abnormal grooming behavior in your cat, consult your vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Can You Save Matted Fur?
Yes, you can save matted fur if you act quickly and use the right tools and techniques.
Matted fur is a common problem when loose hairs twist around attached strands and form clumps that are hard to remove with a brush or comb alone.
Matted fur can cause discomfort, pain, irritation, inflammation, infection, or skin damage to your cat.
To save matted fur, you should follow these steps:
- Saturate the matted fur with a detangling or moisturizing conditioner to make it easier for individual hairs to move past each other.
- Loosen the matted fur with a wide-tooth comb by starting from the end of the mat and working your way up to the root, gently teasing it apart with the comb.
- Trim the matted fur with scissors if needed by holding a fine-tooth comb between the skin and the mat to avoid cutting the skin.
- Rinse the matted fur with cool water to keep it smooth and separated.
- Dry the matted fur entirely with a towel and a hair dryer on a low setting.
To prevent matted fur, you should groom your cat regularly with a soft-bristle brush to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris.
Comb your pet carefully with a wide-tooth comb to remove any mats or knots that the brush could not handle.
And bathe your pet occasionally with a specially formulated shampoo for cats.
