Cats sometimes need help with grooming, but exactly how often should you brush them?

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“How often should I brush my cat?” is not something that crosses the minds of most cat parents, especially those who own domestic shorthairs. That’s why we’re tackling the question today.

Don’t get bored just yet – you may want to stick around to find out what happens when you don’t properly groom your cat. In short, it’s not pretty.

Why Do Cats Need Help Grooming?

Despite the fact that cats self-groom, they simply can’t get all of the excess hair off. Seriously, have you seen how much they shed? Their fur gets everywhere!

The awful truth is that much of that hair ends up in their little stomachs when they groom themselves. Cats, in their daily efforts to clean themselves, end up swallowing loose hairs. The amount of hair can build up in their stomach and form hairballs.

Hairballs Cause Health Problems

Hairballs aren’t a big deal though, right? Cats get them all the time! Wrong.

Well, you aren’t wrong about how many cats deal with hairballs. It’s just that hairballs can turn into intestinal blockages that cause other health issues. They’re also highly unpleasant to clean up. If you treasure your carpet, proper grooming is key.

Brushing Keeps Your Cat Clean

Dirt and other grimy substances can become stuck to your cat’s fur. Kitty may get some of it off, but layers of yuck can begin to build. Older cats or cats with longer fur are more susceptible to health problems caused by poor grooming.

It’s up to you to help your cat stay clean by brushing regularly. Not only will they smell nicer and look prettier, but the natural oils that their skin produces will be spread more evenly, ensuring a shiny beautiful coat. Long-haired cats also need to be groomed fully by a licensed professional to maintain their luxuriously thick mane.

More Brushing, Less Shedding

You will never stop your cat from shedding on dark clothing; it’s simply inevitable. On the other hand, you can dramatically reduce the amount of hair that gets left around your home by brushing your feline friend.

Hair that would normally be swallowed or fall to the ground is swept up into the brush. Use a species-appropriate brush that’s designed for your cat’s hair length. There are different brushes for short-haired and long-haired cats, and most are extremely affordable.

The Meow Place’s resident cat Tippy does well with a self-cleaning slicker brush because her (sort of) short hair is still very fluffy. Misha’s fur, on the other hand, is super dense and concentrated. We use the same brush on her, but we do it very gently because the pins, though rounded, could irritate her skin if we’re not careful.

How Much Should I Brush My Cat?

There are different brushing tips for different breeds. Here’s a breakdown of each one.

Brushing Long-Haired Cats

For long-haired cats like Persians, Maine Coons and Ragdolls, daily brushing is a must! Long coats can develop tangles, mats and knots that need to be worked out. Fine-toothed combs and de-matting brushes work well for getting those tangles out. If you can’t get the mats out yourself, you may need to have your kitty professionally groomed.

Brushing Medium-Haired Cats

Cat breeds in this category include the Manx, Japanese Bobtail and mixed breeds. Anywhere from several times a week to daily is fine for medium-haired cats. If your cat’s hair is denser or if they shed a lot, daily is better. Slicker brushes or grooming mitts are great for cats with medium hair.

Brushing Short-Haired Cats

Short-haired cat breeds include the American Shorthair, British Shorthair and the Egyptian Mau. Several times a week is fine for grooming, but a daily brushing won’t hurt. Just don’t overdo it. Brushing your cat too much can result in skin irritation or bald patches, though you’re more likely to see these symptoms from your cat over-grooming than from brushing.

We’d tell you how often you need to brush your hairless cat, but… we’re pretty sure you’ve figured it out.

In Order To Brush A Cat, You May Have To Become A Cat…

Okay, so this is totally just for fun, but we love the idea of the LICKI Brush by Jason O’Mara.

This ridiculous and awesome product was being funded on Kickstarter and even had its 15 minutes of fame on Shark Tank, but unfortunately after its launch, it seemingly disappeared. You can still find similar designs like this one on Amazon.

Did you learn something new from this article, or do you have a grooming tip you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments! Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

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