Let's groom kitty

Does this look like Spring to you?  I woke up to more snow falling this morning.

And it was going away so nicely.........

This time of year I want to purge the house and make some changes around here. I really step back to see what I can live without and I happily discard it. I  am determined to only have what I love around me.

The cats and dog start to shed more now because the winter coats are falling out. Our dog will shed tumble-weed-size balls of hair and it is now that the vacuum cleaner sits out in all it's glory. I should just put twinkling white lights on it and be done with it. I now begin to groom, groom & groom some-more.

The wood-stove is not on this morning so I have been joined by these two in the kitchen. Notice they have a blanket under them whilst sitting on the table. I know.....I'm nuts.

   "How about a snack ...oh sacred woman with thumbs."

OK - I've had enough of you & your camera

Shall we pop into the dining-room to take in some greenery...

Shamrock

Here we have some parsley, lemon balm, aloe, ivy and something I don't know. Trying to find the name of it so I can check to see if it is ok around animals. The plant-stand was passed down to us from Gary's family..

Let's talk about Grooming Cats

When I groom my cats I only use one comb which is the flea comb. It does a great job of combing, checking for fleas and finding dandruff. This time of year I am checking for dandruff because there are no fleas right now and the wood-stove can cause their coats to dry out. I start at the head and comb all around the neck, the back and down both sides. I tend to stay away from under the tail unless they are long-haired and need tats removed. This is a good time to check for any lumps and sores also. After that, I give them all hair-ball gel because they will have the desire to wash themselves from top to bottom after a good combing and that's when they get any loose hair in their tummies.  Lastly, take a peak in the ears to be sure they look clean. I'll do a post about ear-cleaning another time.

It normally will go right through eventually but the gel helps it along. Even with that I still get the odd hairball coughed up but not often. While grooming with the comb I also check the nails. It's important because nails can get away on you and grow into the skin if not kept short. Plus it is better for the furniture if they are kept trimmed. I just use a regular nail clipper, nothing fancy. It takes 2 of us with Mr. Ed because he is very skittish and this freaks him out.

Treats are then given which is usually a bit of canned salmon and all is well with the world. 

Off to cat-sit some of my favorite tabbies.

hugs, Deb