Simple Way To Housetraining And Grooming Your Cat.

■ Put a layer of litter in a tray, or use sand if your cat will eventually use outdoor facilities. For two cats, provide at least two trays.

■ Place the tray in a quiet corner, away from food and water bowls.

■ If the kitten messes on the floor, transfer the puddle or solid matter to the tray. Don’t be cross, but do it with a firm “This is where you do it.”

■ Clean the tray twice a day, using only hot water and detergent.

■ If your cat has an accident, wash the area with a 10 per cent solution of biological washing powder, spray with vinegar and scrub again.

Long-haired cats must be brushed and combed every day, to avoid matted, tangled fur and the skin problems that can result from a neglected coat. Start grooming a little and often from a young age. In all cats, fur balls can build up in the stomach, so even a short-haired cat will benefit from grooming.  

■ Set aside a grooming area, with hygiene in mind – not the kitchen bench – and lay down a towel.

■ Talking gently all the time, fluff the cat’s coat with your hand then lightly brush from roots to tip in the direction of growth. Work in sections to get rid of mats or tangles, before moving on to a widetooth comb, then a fine-tooth comb.

■ If the teeth of a comb snag in the fur, go back to the previous tool.

Article: Reader's Digest.