Perk Up Your Pets Fluff Up Those Felines, Clean Up Those Canines; A Dirt-Free Animal Is Happier, Healthier

The first time I gave a cat a bath, it was a traumatic experience for us both. Chigi-Toto, my longhaired, half-Persian mix, howled, growled, scratched and bit as I did my best to wash her in the kitchen sink. That was 35 years ago, and since then I’ve learned a lot about grooming cats and dogs. Chigi eventually came to tolerate the bathings, and other cats of mine have even loved it.

Regular grooming is important to pets’ health and appearance, and a well-groomed animal is happy and easy to live with. But most important, the time spent together is valuable for both pet and owner.

Here are some tips for grooming cats and dogs. You’ll find the tools and supplies you need at good pet stores.

Cats

Cats are remarkably clean, well-groomed animals, but they still need a little help from us.

In general, longhaired cats, like my Himalayans, and outdoor cats require more care than short-haired, indoor cats (which may never need a bath). The grooming schedule is really up to you. I brush my cats weekly and bathe them about once a month. And every night, I wash their faces quickly with a soft, damp, warm washcloth before they curl up on the bed.

Brushing reduces the inevitable snarls and matting in the coats of longhaired cats and keeps them looking lustrous and beautiful. Holding the cat in my lap, I use a wood-handled comb with metal teeth to work on one small area at a time to be sure I don’t miss any knots. A slicker brush, which has lots of fine wire teeth, also works well. The cats meow loudly, and I talk back to them the whole time, which keeps them relaxed.

A good brushing always precedes bathtime. Cats are notoriously skittish about water. The key is to make it as gentle an experience as possible, and it is important to talk to the cat in soothing tones throughout the process.

A large sink is a good place for washing a cat. Fill it with just a couple of inches of lukewarm water. Dilute cat shampoo in a pitcher of lukewarm water. If the sink doesn’t have a spray attachment, have another pitcher or two nearby with more warm water. You’ll also need several big, absorbent towels.

Holding the cat securely with one hand, pour the water over his or her back (or use the spray attachment with low to medium water pressure), starting at the neck; don’t get the head wet. Then pour the shampoo over gradually, cleaning one area at a time. Don’t forget the tail and legs.

Rinse with more clean water, then dry the cat with the towels, removing as much water as possible. If your cat will let you, use a blow-dryer on a low setting to dry the coat more thoroughly. Point it toward your arm first to make sure the temperature is comfortable. Brush the clean cat once again.

Dogs

Many dogs love a good brushing and bath. Ideally, dogs with long or curly hair, such as Shih Tzus, poodles, collies and Yorkshire terriers, should be brushed every day. Dogs with short or medium hair, such as Labradors, beagles and pugs, should be brushed once a week.

Brushing makes a dog’s coat more attractive. It also reduces matting, which retains moisture, making it harder for a dog to stay warm.

It’s easy to brush a small dog with it sitting on your lap; with larger dogs, you can sit on the floor and have the dog stand in front of you.

Be patient and thorough; work on one section of fur at a time, and start with the undercoat - the layers of fur beneath the top layer - if the dog has long or medium-length hair. A slicker brush and an undercoat rake are good for long hair; a curry comb (similar to those used on horses) works well on short-haired breeds. Other versatile tools include a wood-handled comb, a basic metal comb with wide teeth and a mat splitter, which you can use to gently pick apart knots.

If your dog sleeps with you, you’ll know when it’s time for a bath. Curly-haired dogs can be bathed as often as every two weeks, while dogs with smooth, short coats can go longer between baths.

Some dogs, like my chow chows, really need professional grooming. Their long, dense fur is hard to wash thoroughly and takes hours to dry, so they visit the groomer every three weeks and get frequent brushings at home.

Most dogs can be washed in the sink or tub with dog shampoo, using a technique similar to the one for cats, explained above. With a dog, though, you can get the head wet - just do so carefully, covering the eyes with your hand and flattening the ears with your thumb to keep out water and soap.

After the dog is dry, another brushing is in order.

MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@marthastewart.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: MORE GROOMING TIPS Start grooming a pet when he or she is young, and keep at it. Once grooming is part of the routine, pets expect and like it. I value the time I spend grooming my pets. It gives me a chance to make sure they’re healthy. While grooming, be sure to feel for any fleas, ticks or lumps. Pay attention to your pet’s teeth (clean them with special pet toothpaste on a cloth or child’s toothbrush to reduce tartar) and ears (carefully turn the ear inside out, and use a cotton swab or soft cloth moistened with mineral oil to wipe the exterior only). People often don’t feel comfortable clipping a pet’s nails. It’s a good idea to have your veterinarian or professional groomer demonstrate the proper technique. And if you have any questions about grooming your animals or their general health, do not hesitate to contact an expert for advice.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate