It’s an undeniable fact that cats are great lovers of cleanliness. They seem to lick their fur endlessly, but in reality, almost every cat spends only 3-4 hours a day doing this. They wash not so much to get rid of dirt as to get rid of smell. Oh, how they hate to be petted again after they have showered! There she sits, so clean and licked, and we put the smell back on her fur – and the washing process starts all over again. Sometimes cats lick themselves so hard that certain areas of their fur become just wet. All of these facts speak volumes about how important cleanliness is for cats.
There are two parts to grooming a cat: washing and combing, both of which are carried out using only the cat’s tongue and the help of its paws.
The special properties of the cat’s tongue make it possible not only to moisten the fur but also to comb it. While the domestic cat’s arsenal is limited to a rough tongue, humans have a whole range of tools thattions to help moustached companions keep their coats in good condition.
What and how to brush your cat?
Grooming a cat’s coat is quite difficult without special brushes and combs. And human combs can not only be of no help, but can also damage the skin and coat.
Choosing a comb is a responsible job. After all, it is not only a matter of choosing a brush that is up to the task, but also one that makes the whole combing process pleasant for the cat. And you’ll have to listen to your cat’s opinion, otherwise you’ll get tired of buying patches and bints for yourself, of course.
You can buy any special brush at any pet shop for a relatively small sum. They differ from each other in the shape and frequency of the teeth, the material they are made of and, of course, their purpose. You should therefore take some time to choose the right equipment for your cat.
There are brushes that are only for combing hair. But they massage the skin and, at the same time, stimulate blood flow to the skin.the roots of the victims. Such combs also remove dirt and squamous skin particles from the fur.
If the brush is primarily intended for massaging, it shall have sparse, short but sufficiently large, serrated teeth. Combs with frequent, sharp teeth should not be used for massage as they can easily injure the cat’s delicate skin.
The material of the comb is equally important. If the brush is made of synthetic materials, check with the seller whether it is electrifying to the fur. Cats do not like electrical discharges that bite their hair.
Combs with wooden teeth have a shorter life span than synthetic ones. Over time, the wood dries out and micro-cracks appear on the teeth, which can damage the hair on the coat.
In case of high demand, combs with metal bristles should not be purchased as they can damage the cat’s fur. Such combs are more suited for grooming the dog’s coat.
Cat coat care depends primarily on the length of the cat’s coat.
A cat with a short brushing 2-3 times a week is sufficient. As a general rule, one massage comb is enough to care for a short-haired cat’s coat. If your cat is reluctant to be brushed and runs away as soon as it sees the comb, you can buy a brush that looks like a glove. Glove brushes are very effective for picking up hair that has fallen out and are very easy to use. The surface of such a brush is made up of a series of rubber bumps, between which a layer of fur is formed, which sticks to the glove but is easily removed by hand.
The coat of a long-haired cat is a little more difficult to maintain than that of a short-haired cat. These cats not only have long hair but also a dense undercoat, so whether you like it or not, you should brush your pet at least once a day. Otherwise, the hair will quickly curl into caltrops that are virtually impossible to comb out.
It will take only a few brushes to properly care for a long coat.
First of all from the animal pick up any hair that has fallen out of the coat using a brush-glove; let her think she is just being petted.
Then take a comb with coarse, sparse but not sharp teeth and comb the coat along the hair growth. Such combs do not get stuck in the hair and start the main work without causing your pet much discomfort.
Now take a brush with dense teeth and carefully comb through the coat without hurrying. Pay particular attention to the problem areas when brushing, i.e. the underbelly and the coat in the trouser area.
Hair on the abdomen does not have a single direction of growth. It grows as if in separate strands. The hair on the belly is softer and therefore more likely to tangle. The abdomen is the most sensitive part of a cat’s abdomen, as it is for any other animal, so be prepared for it to instinctively attack the abdomen with its own methods of defence. The fur in the panty area is particularly heavy around the anus and often sticks there. It is therefore better to cut it in this case than to try comb.
If the cat already has callouses, they can be removed not only with scissors, but also with special metal combs, whose rectangular teeth have slightly sharpened edges. This type of comb should be handled with great care, as you can easily injure the animal’s delicate skin.
Particularly problematic breeds of long-haired cats are the Persian and Angora, as their fur is not only long but also thin.
Recommendations
As with other procedures, brushing should be introduced to the cat from an early age, as not all cats are happy to have their precious fur manipulated. Be patient and do not lash out at the animal if it behaves in an inappropriate, bestial way in response to your good intentions.
If you brush your cat regularly, it will gradually get used to its fate and will not resist strongly when you try to groom it. And if you give your cat at least 20 minutes of love and a treat after each brushing, she might forgive you until the next time.
Cat brushing during coat feeding
During seasonal coat feeding, the cat’s coat needs special attention. Not only the cat’s coat changes, but also its undercoat, which is why even short-haired cats need to be brushed as often as possible, let alone long-haired ones. This will not only speed up and facilitate the feeding process, but also prevent any fallen hair from entering the animal’s digestive tract.
Try not to use combs with dense, sharp teeth during autumn feeding, as you can easily injure the delicate skin and the incipient undercoat. For short coats, the best option is a mitt brush, which will be virtually non-irritating for your pet. A long-haired cat is best combed with a comb with large, sparse teeth.
During spring feeding, hair loss is particularly heavy and dense combs can be used to brush long hair. But be careful – the coat tangles quite quickly during this period and the combing process can be painful for the cat.
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