How Often Should I Be Brushing My Cat? What Experts Say

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If you're like most cat owners, you want your pet to feel and look their best. One way to keep your cat "feline fine" is to break out the brush and give their coat a once over.

Sure, cats are notorious for grooming themselves. But that doesn't mean they won't benefit from a little outside help from time to time. Your cat may even enjoy a nice brushing session as a way to bond with you.

But how often do you need to brush your cat? Let's take a closer look.

How often should you brush your cat?

How often your cat needs brushing depends on their coat and tolerance. Healthy coats are usually shiny and soft. If you see or feel any mats or tangles, your cat likely needs to be brushed.

If it's hard for you to get a brush or comb through their fur, they likely need to be brushed more often. A professional groomer may be necessary if the mats are too painful for your cat.

Regardless of hair length, older cats might benefit from frequent, gentle brushing since it might be harder for them to groom themselves.

Long-haired cats

Cats with long hair have a higher risk of developing tangles and mats. Daily brushing is recommended to help prevent that. Areas where their coats might become the most tangled are:

• Behind the ears

• In the armpits

• The backs of the legs

If they don't tolerate brushing that frequently, you can brush them every few days.

Short-haired cats

Cats with short hair may only need to be brushed weekly. If they don't groom themselves often, they may need to be brushed more frequently. But if your cat enjoys being brushed, there's usually no harm in brushing them every day.

How do you brush your cat?

Regardless of the tool you use, always be gentle and brush in the direction your cat's hair grows. If your cat is unfamiliar with a brush or comb, allow them to check it out. Keep the strokes short.

Slowly increase the area you brush over several grooming sessions. Giving treats throughout the sessions can help them become used to being brushed.

Don't force your cat to be brushed if they're showing signs of distress or irritation. The best time to try brushing them is when they're calm and relaxed. Keep the sessions short and always have treats handy.

Long-haired cats

Use a long-toothed comb or brush to gently brush through your cat's fur. It's sometimes recommended to start with the legs and stomach. But if your cat is sensitive about those areas, choose an area that doesn't bother them.

Short-haired cats

Remove debris with a fine-toothed comb. You can start from their head and gradually move to their tail. A soft bristle brush can help remove excess hair.

Which brush should you use on your cat?

There are different tools for different coats. Short-haired coats might benefit from a fine-toothed comb and stiff bristle brush to remove loose hairs and dirt. Long-haired coats typically need long-toothed metal combs or brushes.

Other tools include:

• Dematting tools

• Slicker brush

• Soft bristle brush

• Grooming glove

• Deshedding brush

Be careful with dematting tools and slicker brushes. Dematting tools use sharp blades to work through mats and knots. It's best to get training from a vet or groomer on how to use them.

Slicker brushes use wire prongs to remove excess hair and dirt. The prongs can be rough on your cat's skin. Try to find a slicker brush with prongs that are dull.

How do you remove mats from your cat's fur?

It depends on the severity of the mat. For small mats, you might be able to gently brush them out. If the mat is large and tangled, it might need to be removed with clippers. Clippers are safer than scissors. Using scissors increases the chance of cutting your cat's skin.

If the mat is severe - or your cat doesn't allow you to touch it - it might be best to go to your veterinarian or a groomer to get it removed.

What if my cat doesn't let me brush them?

Cats can be sensitive. And brushing might irritate them too much. If they react negatively or run when you try to brush them, don't force them to be brushed. It could only make them dislike it more.

You can try to make it into a positive experience for your cat by:

• Going slow

• Keeping each grooming session short

• Brushing small areas at a time

• Using treats between each brushing

With each session, you can slowly increase the time you spend brushing them and the areas that you brush. If they react negatively, shorten each session again until they feel comfortable again.

Signs of distress or overstimulation to watch for include:

• Growling

• Hissing

• Swishing their tail

• Twitching

If you see any of these signs, stop brushing immediately.

A groomer can be useful if your cat simply dislikes grooming or they have bad mats. Some groomers might use sedation to properly groom your cat. But if your cat can't be sedated for whatever reason, this may not be an option for you.

Benefits of brushing your cat

Most cats - if not all - benefit from regular brushing whether their coats are long or short. Brushing your cat spreads natural oils throughout their coat and stimulates blood flow. It will also remove:

• Dead skin cells

• Debris

• Dirt

• External parasites

• Loose hairs

Other benefits to regularly brushing your cat include:

• Decreasing allergies: If you have allergies, frequently brushing your cat can reduce the amount of cat dander and loose hairs in your home.

• Reducing hairballs: When cats groom themselves, they tend to swallow loose hair - which can lead to hair balls. Regularly brushing can help decrease how many hair balls your cat might have.

• Finding skin problems early: Regularly brushing your cat can also help you spot any bumps or painful areas that might develop. Detecting any issues could help with getting early treatment. You can also check for fleas or ticks with regular brushing.

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