FAQ: Grooming for cats

Long-haired cats are usually best brushed daily or at least every other day, while short-haired cats generally need it once or twice a week. Brush every cat more often during shedding, so less hair ends up in the stomach.

Most cats look after their own coat, so a healthy short-haired cat does not need regular baths. A bath makes sense when the coat is badly soiled, the cat can no longer groom because of age or weight, or a vet recommends it, and then use a shampoo made for cats.

Cats look after their coats well, but they swallow a lot of hair while grooming. Brushing reduces hairballs, helps long-haired, older or overweight cats that cannot reach every spot, and strengthens the bond with the owner.

Short-haired cats often do well with a rubber brush or glove, a soft-bristle brush and a fine-toothed comb. During shedding a deshedding tool used sparingly helps remove dead undercoat.

Long-haired cats need a metal comb with wide and narrow teeth to comb right down to the skin, plus a slicker brush. An undercoat rake helps remove dense undercoat, and a dedicated tool is sometimes needed for mats.

It is a brush with dense, slightly bent metal pins that removes loose hair and small tangles well. Press gently so the pins don't scratch the skin, especially in sensitive areas and on short-haired cats.

A metal comb shows whether the coat is brushed all the way to the skin and finds early mats that a brush misses. It is essential for long-haired cats, and fine-toothed combs suit short-haired cats too.

A rubber glove collects dead hair well from a short coat and many cats like it because it feels like stroking. For long-haired cats it is only an extra, as it doesn't reach the skin or prevent mats.

It is a tool with fine teeth on a blade that pulls loose undercoat out of the coat. Use it no more than once every week or two, gently and briefly in each area, as overuse can irritate the skin or damage the top coat.

An undercoat rake has one or two rows of longer teeth that reach dense undercoat and comb it out without cutting the hair. It is especially useful for long-haired and thick-coated cats during shedding.

A natural or soft-bristle brush suits short-haired cats and adds shine after brushing. It does not reach dense undercoat, so for long-haired cats it is only an extra tool.

Brush in the direction of hair growth, starting with the areas the cat likes being stroked, such as the back and cheeks. Comb a long coat section by section down to the skin, and do the belly, armpits and tail gently and briefly.

5–15 minutes is usually enough, and for a cat that is not used to it, a few minutes a day is better. Stop before the cat gets annoyed and continue later, so she doesn't grow to dislike brushing.

Mats most often form behind the ears, in the armpits, on the belly, on the back of the hind legs and under the collar, as the coat rubs and the skin is thin there. Brush these areas more often and especially gently, as the skin is sensitive.

Outdoor cats usually shed most in spring and autumn, while indoor cats living in warm, lit homes may shed a little all year round. Brush more often then, so less hair ends up around the house and in the stomach.

Regular brushing helps most, especially during shedding, as the hair you collect does not end up around the house. Washing bed covers, a lint roller and a suitable diet also help, as diet affects coat condition.

Normal shedding is even and the coat stays dense. If bald patches appear, the skin is red or flaky, the cat scratches or licks a lot, or the coat suddenly thins, see a vet.

Yes, a coat's shine and strength depend on quality protein and fatty acids in the food. A complete diet helps, but if the coat is dull or coarse, it is worth talking to a vet before starting supplements.

A bath with a suitable shampoo followed by thorough brushing can help remove a lot of loose undercoat, especially in long-haired cats. For most cats regular brushing is enough, so bathing just for shedding is not necessary.

Nearly all cats shed, some just less than others. Hairless cats leave almost no hair, and some curly-coated breeds shed less, but that does not mean they suit everyone with allergies.