How to keep your cat brushed

Cats are known for having feisty personalities, and not all of them love being groomed. If your cat is a long hair however, they may not be able to keep their coats under control themselves. Without help, it can lead to the cat getting matted, which can mean even more problems down the road.

Even if your cat is short coated, he can still benefit from regular brushing, so it’s important to make this part of your routine. Here are a few tips to make this easier on you and your pet.

Don’t go against the grain

It hurts more for your pet if you’re brushing the cat the wrong way. Brushing your cat with the grain will go a long way to making the experience more comfortable. If you find the brush catching and pulling, it’s best to start at the tips of the hair and work your way in, rather than trying to pull the knot out from the roots. Sometimes, just making the experience comfortable can be enough to soothe your pet into not lashing out.

Brush frequently

If your cat doesn’t like long brush outs, try brushing just a few minutes, or even a few seconds several times a day. By breaking up how long you brush, you can often get more done before the cat is no longer willing to have a brush out.

Get professional help

If the cat is matted or doesn’t like being brushed, having a groomer take care of the mats so you have a fresh starting point may be easiest. You can also ask the groomer for advice on what methods worked best for your cat, and get tips on how to maintain the cat better at home.

Brushing your cat regularly is important, and can go a long way to helping cut down on hairballs and maintain your pet’s health. Even if they’re not wild about it, regular brushing is important.