Grooming Your Cat

Dear Diary,

I’ve mentioned it before. Jamie knows two words.

“Food”, a very obvious one, I mean, who can resist?

And "brushing”. He immediately runs into the room where I keep the brush and starts purring.

But do you really need to groom your cat? And how do you convince your cat that brushing is something enjoyable?

1) Should I groom my cat?

Usually, cats are quite good at grooming themselves. They spend on average 30-50% of their time on cleaning their fur. That’s a lot …

However, especially long-haired cats or those with dense fur (like Jamie) can do with a little help every now and then.

The same applies to older or sick cats, who might struggle to groom themselves.

Besides, grooming also helps remove any loose hair or dirt and prevents tangling or matting.

It’s also stimulating, almost therapeutic and good for their circulation.

2) How to groom your cat

Jamie really enjoys being brushed; I guess, it’s like a massage for him.

But I’ve heard other stories from cat owners who get desperate as their cats run away as soon as they spot the brush.

I’ve been lucky enough to get Jamie used to it from kitten age, which makes it a lot easier. Build it up gradually and make it a regular habit.

To begin with, hold out the brush to your cat so that they can give it a good sniff. Start with their face and chin area, and then move on to the rest of the body. Their tummy area is a little sensitive; not all cats enjoy being brushed there. Your cat will tell you when they have had enough.

And make sure to always groom in the direction of the fur.

Try to brush long-haired cats once a day, and short-haired ones about once a week.

3) Tools to groom your cat

There are different grooming tools available. I’ve bought a set with different types of brushes and combs. However, I’m always using the same one to be fair.

Jamie enjoys the metal slicker brush the most. It might look a bit brutal with the metal hooks, but it’s really efficient in removing any loose hair.

A comb can help with untangling knots.

Whilst a rubber palm brush is great to give your cat a massage. They are also good beginner brushes, and for those cats who hate being groomed.