Should I brush my cat's fur?

Should I brush my cat's fur? Is this something you’ve been asking yourself for a while? Does your cat look a bit scruffy or are you just unsure whether this is something that needs doing, it’s not like it’s common to send them to a cat groomer like you would with a dog? So, should you be brushing your cat’s fur or not?

Well, the answer is yes, because when you spend time brushing your cat’s fur, it not only removes dust, dead skin, and loose hair, but it boosts their circulation and also provides a bonding experience for you and your furry friend as you get to spend quality time with them. This also gives you the time to have a look at their fur and their skin so that you can monitor their health and will always be aware if there is something different or wrong with it that you need to get checked out. It’ll probably be obvious if there is something off with your cat’s fur but the main things to be aware of are sore patches, wounds, or matted fur. Or if you notice the condition or look of your cat’s fur has changed then it might be a good idea to speak to your vet.

If your cat has long hair then they will likely need brushing every day to stop any tangling and matting whereas if your cat is short-haired then they should be fine with a brush once a week as they generally do a good job of grooming themselves. These grooming sessions don’t have to take a long time, but short and regular sessions will be best for your cat and you can use praise and treats to make sure that they associate this brushing with positive things. If your cat isn’t a fan of having their fur brushed and you notice that they are twitching, swishing their tail, growling, or hissing then you should stop.

It’s not uncommon for cats to get knots or matting in their fur and if this has happened to your cat then make sure you don’t grab the scissors and attempt to cut the fur because you could end up cutting your cat’s skin. If you do have knots to untangle then use a specialist de-matting comb or grooming mitt.

Generally speaking, to give your cat the best brush possible then it’s a good idea to use a metal, wide-toothed comb and comb the fur in the direction that it grows naturally. Don’t just stick to their back either, you should comb their chest as well as behind their ears, the back of their legs, and under their arms too as this is where tangles tend to form. If there are knots then just tease them gently.

There is a wide variety of combs and brushes available to buy for brushing your cat’s fur and while some are specifically for checking for fleas and eggs or to help with moulting. You can also get soft-bristle or pin brushes which help distribute your cat’s natural oils which is good for conditioning. Slicker brushes are good for pulling out dead hair and breaking down matting in long hair or you could go for a grooming mitt which is also good for removing the dead hair in short-haired cats.

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