You need some, or many things for grooming depending on your cat, your time, and if you are showing your cat off. These may include a natural-bristle brush, rubber or wire slicker brushes for removing shedding hair, wide- and narrow-toothed combs, a flea comb, a pet toothbrush and cat toothpaste, and cotton swabs or cotton balls.

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For a cat's teeth, you should use a pet or cat toothbrush. You could probably use an unused person toothbrush, not a vibrating toothbrush, but never use regular toothpaste. Use cat toothpaste. The toothpaste you use probably has chemicals harmful to your cat, so don't even think of using your toothpaste on your cat.

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You should have some cotton swabs or cotton balls to clean out ears. I like double sided Q-tips, one side for each ear, but that's just me. You don't have to get special pet swabs, I've never used them, so don't ask me. Never stick a cotton swab or anything into the cat's inner ear. With cotton balls you can't really do that. Where is the "inner ear" exactly? Well, it is the inside of the cat's ear, but I think you know that just from the name. The answer varies with the person asked. I say it's the dark part of your cat's ear that is where the hole turns sideways.

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Last, but definitely not least, if your cat likes to make any contact with its paws, a pet nail clipper. Its for both your health and the cat's. A normal nail clipper could hurt hurt your cat, so don't use that. There are a few styles of pet nail clippers, I use the guillotine model, but there are other scissor-like types. My favorite brand is called "Bamboo" and has a nail file and styptic powder in its handle. You will probably have to wrap your cat in a blanket or towel to stop it from scratching you as you cut its nails. If you look at a cat claw, there is a small red line in the inside (it is hard to find if your cat's nails are dark). That is a blood vessel called the quick. Try not to cut into it, please. Styptic powder is used to stop a cat's claw from bleeding if you cut it too far, which will not make a happy cat when you have to cut its nails again.

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Short haired cats only need one brush for once a week grooming. A flea comb is very good for them and can trap fleas. You will also need a toothbrush and cat toothpaste, cotton balls for wiping off the face (especially if your cat has leaky eyes, in case of that, you should go to the vetrinarian) and possibly inside of the ears, maybe cotton swabs also for the ears, and a nail clipper.

Long haired cats need more than weekly grooming. They need every day grooming. You will need a natural-bristle brush, a wide toothed comb, a wire or rubber slicker brush, maybe a rake comb to stop matting or clumping fur, and all the other things required for a shorthaired cat.