| Some type of grooming is essential for the Persian | | | | weeks of age. The first sessions should be short. As |
| cat. Obviously, a show cat will need more grooming | | | | time goes on, gradually advance to more grooming |
| than a pet. If you love the look of a show cat, but | | | | procedures. |
| do not show, you can still groom to that perfect | | | | Before the bath:o Lay the Persian cat on his or her |
| show look. This is a series of articles that will cover | | | | stomach on the grooming tableo Apply stain remover |
| every aspect of typical grooming sessions for a | | | | to areas where neededo Apply a degreaser such as |
| Persian cat, both for show and pet cats. | | | | Goop to areas where needed (leave this on and |
| It is a good idea to have all your grooming supplies in | | | | allow it to set before the bath)o Use a gentle slicker |
| place before you get your Persian kitten. What you | | | | brush and begin brushing out the coat |
| will need:o A gentle slicker brusho Degreaser | | | | Trim the Nose and Around the Eyes (only for silvers |
| especially for catso Stain removero Shaving cream | | | | and goldens)o Trim above the nose leather to reveal |
| (used for silvers and goldens)o Q-tipso Sharp blade or | | | | the nose linero While stain remover and goop or |
| bikini razor (for silvers and goldens)o Hemostats or | | | | degreaser is soaking, apply a small amount of shaving |
| tweezerso 5" straight scissors, blunt nose scissors or | | | | cream to the nose liner area with your finger or a |
| small curved scissorso Unscented mineral oil (if you | | | | Q-tipo Use a sharp blade or bikini razor to gently |
| are concerned soap will get in kitten's eyes)o Small, | | | | shave left to right, right to left (the result should be |
| soft toothbrusho Tearless shampoo especially for | | | | a small, straight, and even line)o Avoid shaving up to |
| catso Small, soft cloth or baby wash clotho Towels | | | | high on the noseo Use hemostats or tweezers to |
| First thing to remember when grooming a cat is to | | | | gently remove black whiskers from the face, pull one |
| stay relaxed. If the Persian cat senses you are | | | | whisker at a time and try to grasp close to the roots |
| nervous, he or she will become nervous as well. Set | | | | without getting other hairso Stand from behind and |
| up a routine and follow the same steps each time. | | | | to the side of the Persian cato Hold the cat's head |
| You will be less likely to forget completing a specific | | | | with one hand, and carefully trim around the eyes, |
| task and your cat will learn what is coming next, | | | | using 5" straight scissors, remove longer strands of |
| which may help alleviate nervousness. It is best to | | | | hairs and eyelashes (the result should: Wider and |
| groom your Persian cat as quickly and efficiently as | | | | more open appearing eyeso Caution: Do not trim |
| possible. | | | | around the eyes while standing in front of the cato |
| If you show your Persian cat, bathing and a full | | | | Blunt nose scissors or small curved scissors may be |
| program of grooming is generally on a weekly basis | | | | substituted for the 5" straight scissors for cutting |
| as well as always before the show. The weekly | | | | around the eyes |
| maintenance bath is fine for a cat not in shows. | | | | Follow the link in resource box of this article for a full |
| However, to enjoy the full beauty of a Persian often | | | | page of all parts of these grooming techniques |
| requires doing the little extras as well. To avoid mats, | | | | articles. |
| regular daily brushing is recommended. | | | | Continued in Part 2 |
| A kitten needs to be use to a bath by 8 to 10 | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |