Grooming Tips

Grooming Tips: Egyptian Mau

Grooming should be established as a routine when your cat or kitten is first acquired.

Even though the Mau, a shorthaired cat, will keep itself relatively clean, it will still benefit from regular grooming. A daily combing with a fine toothed comb, such as a flea comb, will help remove the dead and shedding hair. A soft brush or rubber brush may be used occasionally, but should be used with care to avoid taking out or breaking off the healthy good hairs. Stroking the cat with the bare hands in a motion from head to tail as in a petting motion not only helps remove hair, but is therapeutic to the cat and the owner. You may then wish to give the coat a final polish with a silk scarf, a piece of soft chamois, or nylon stocking.

The ears should be inspected on a regular basis to check for irregularities or a dark, crumbly debris, which could indicate ear mites and would require a check by you veterinarian. The cat's ears may be gently cleaned with a warm, damp washcloth. Do not go deeply into the ear, as you could damage the eardrum. Also, avoid getting water in the inner ear.

The cat's claws should be trimmed as required. Use human nail clippers or clippers specially designed for the cat. Trim only the tip of the nails, being very careful to avoid the pink inner quick.

It is wise to include an occasional inspection of the mouth and teeth as a part of your routine care. A good diet will help keep the teeth in good condition, but the cat, just like people, will benefit from removal of tartar buildup.

Certain circumstances may require that a cat have a bath, such as skin problems or prior to exhibiting at a cat show. This can present quite a challenge, but need not be if you follow two important rules. Be prepared by having all supplies ready and at hand, and remain calm. Your soothing voice will help reassure an excited cat, and if you are nervous, so will the cat be.

Begin by assembling your grooming equipment, plus shampoo especially formulated for cats, a conditioner for rinse, two or three large bath towels, and a wash cloth.

Before you start the actual bath you should clip the claws on all four feet. Next wash the face and ears with the washcloth wrung out in a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Rinse well by wiping off with clear water on a washcloth. Dry the face and ears. Now you are ready to proceed with the bath.

Place a rubber mat, or any non-slip surface, into the bottom of a laundry tub or sink filled with about 4 inches of warm water. Slowly lower the cat into the water, being careful to avoid splashing or loud water sounds that can frighten the cat. Some cats like to put their front paws on the side of the tub and are calmer if allowed to do so. Wet the cat thoroughly, avoiding the head and ears. Apply shampoo (which has been diluted in a little water) by pouring over the back of the cat, then lather over the body, legs, and tail. Now rinse well with warm water. A sprayer attachment works well at this point, but take care not to startle the cat. If a cream rinse is desired, do it now. This should also be diluted in water to avoid an area of extreme concentration when poured over the back of the cat. Rinse the conditioner out completely.

Now, dry the cat gently with the bath towels, soaking up as much water as possible. Allow cat to dry in a warm area such as a heated bathroom, lightly combing occasionally to smooth and straighten coat. Remember, allow no cold drafts on the cat to avoid chilling.

When bathing the Egyptian Mau for show purposes, the following helpful hints will make the bath a little more special and give that finished look that we all desire.

• For a greasy tail or stud tail use a little liquid dish detergent mixed with water and applied to affected areas. Work down to the skin with fingers, then rinse off and proceed with shampoo routine.
• A silver Mau will develop stains in the white areas from various causes, such as litter stain, urine stain, or shampoo buildup if the cat has a porous coat. A clarifying shampoo, such as the ones used by people with gray hair to remove the yellow tones, can be used as a first shampoo, followed by a normal shampoo routine. This should be done only every third shampoo or so, not every time as this is a harsher shampoo. Remember to rinse well and use a light conditioner as a final touch.
• It is beneficial to use a shampoo that is color formulated to the coat color. On the smoke Mau, the shampoo for the silver works very well.
• For cream rinses, a "lite" formula for human hair works exceptionally well.

Follow these simple instructions, remain calm, reassure your cat frequently and Voila! You now have a beautiful show cat!

Text: Dot Brocksom 7/99

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