How to Groom Curly Haired Cats

Several cat breeds have a curly coat, which comes in both long- and short-haired lengths. The Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, LaPerm and American Wirehair all have a genetic mutation that causes the hair on their coats to curl, giving these cats a sheep- or teddy bear-like appearance. To groom your curly haired cat to keep it clean or to prepare it for a show, you need to make sure it is free of dirt, debris and oils that can sometimes build up in the curls; buildup like this is harder to remove than on a traditional cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire pin brush
  • Bath mat
  • Cat shampoo
  • Dish washing liquid
  • Shower mitt
  • Wash cloth
  • Hand-held shower attachment
  • Towel
  • Ear cleaning solution for cats
  • Cotton balls
  • Medium-length comb
  • Pet nail clipper
  • Rubbing alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the curly haired cat's coat using a wire pin brush, which works well on this type of coat. Use the brush to remove any excess hair, dirt or debris from the coat, brushing in the direction of the hair growth. If you find any mats, hold the bottom of the hairs with your fingers and use the brush to break up the mat.

    • 2

      Wash the cat in a sink or bathtub lined with a bath mat to keep the cat from slipping. Use a gentle cat shampoo for relatively clean hair or dish washing liquid for a more greasy coat, especially behind the ears and at the base of the tail. Wet the fur and lather the soap into the coat with your hands, working it through the curls. Use a shower mitt or wash cloth to gently clean the face. Rinse the cat thoroughly to remove any traces of soap using a hand-held shower attachment.

    • 3

      Towel dry the cat, blotting and scrunching the fur to keep the curls round and accentuated. Let the cat air dry completely over the next few hours. Do not blow-dry the coat as this can give the cat a puffy, poodle-like appearance.

    • 4

      Clean out the cat's ears by placing a few drops of ear cleaning solution for cats, found in pet supply stores, into each ear and rubbing it into the base of the ears with your fingers. Use a cotton ball to wipe out the cleaner.

    • 5

      Dampen a wash cloth with warm water and use it to wipe the area around the cat's eyelids to remove any tear stains or discolorations on the hair around the eyes.

    • 6

      Brush the cat's fur with a medium-length comb once the coat is almost dry to remove any fur loosened during the bathing process. Scrunch the fur after brushing to keep it curly.

    • 7

      Clip the cat's nails and clean away any dirt and oily debris from around the nails. Use a pet nail clipper to cut only the sharp tips off of the nails, avoiding the pink area at the bottom of the nail called the quick. Wipe around the base of each nail with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove any debris or oil buildup common on breeds such as the Devon Rex.