Caring for Your Highland Cat: Essential Grooming and Maintenance Tips
Caring for your Highland cat requires attention to their unique grooming needs to ensure they stay healthy and comfortable. From regular brushing to occasional bathing, maintaining their beautiful coat is key to their overall well-being. By focusing on proper care and grooming routines, you can help your Highland cat thrive and keep them happy and healthy for years to come. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your Highland cat.
Caring for your Highland cat by Regular Brushing
Caring for your Highland cat involves regular brushing, bathing, and careful attention to their coat to keep it healthy and tangle-free. Brush your Highland’s coat 2–3 times a week, and daily during shedding seasons. Use a soft-bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb to gently remove dead hair and prevent matting. Always brush in the direction of hair growth, starting at the head and working your way down the back, sides, and tail.
Detecting and Removing Mats
If your Highland develops mats, avoid pulling them with a comb as it can be painful for the cat. Instead: Use a special mat splitter to carefully cut through tangled fur. Apply detangling sprays to make combing easier and prevent future mats.
Bathing
Bathing your Highland should be kept infrequent, ideally every 2–3 months, or only when necessary to maintain cleanliness. To ensure their coat is properly cared for, follow this three-step process:
Degreasing: Begin by applying Groomer’s Goop Pet De-Greaser (28 oz Can) to the coat before wetting it. Focus on areas prone to oil buildup, such as the chest, belly, and tail. Gently massage the degreaser into the coat and let it sit for 5–10 minutes to break down oils. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Shampooing: Follow with a high-quality shampoo, such as Groomer’s Goop Glossy Coat Pet Shampoo (16 oz Flip-Top Bottle), to cleanse the coat and preserve its texture. Work the shampoo into a lather, rinse well, and ensure no residue remains.
Conditioning: After shampooing, apply Snow White Toner Conditioner (16 oz by Groomer’s Goop). This conditioner is excellent for maintaining a bright, healthy-looking coat. Distribute the conditioner evenly through the damp coat, focusing on areas prone to tangling. Allow it to sit for 3–5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly to ensure no product remains.
Drying Your Highland
After bathing, it’s crucial to dry your Highland thoroughly to prevent chilling and maintain their fluffy coat. Start by gently patting the coat with a soft towel to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing, as this can cause tangling or matting in their long fur.
Once towel-dried, use a hair dryer on a low-heat setting to carefully dry the coat. Hold the dryer a safe distance from the cat and use gentle, sweeping motions to avoid overheating any area. Many Highlands may need time to acclimate to the sound of the dryer, so be patient and offer treats to keep them calm.
Alternatively, if your Highland feels stressed by the hair dryer, you can use a carrier drying method. Place your cat in a secure, well-ventilated carrier and position a pet-safe dryer outside the carrier, directing warm (not hot) air into it. This allows for hands-free drying in a more controlled and less overwhelming environment.
Ensure the coat is completely dry, especially in areas like the belly and underarms, to prevent chilling or skin irritation. Once dry, brush through the fur to remove any tangles and restore its natural fluffiness.
Shedding
Highlands typically shed during spring and fall. During these periods, increase brushing frequency to remove excess fur and reduce shedding on furniture and clothing.
