How to groom your cat
Our behaviour approved advice on how to groom long-haired and short-haired cats, as well as spotting when they're uncomfortable being groomed.
Grooming your cat
Your cat is already brilliant at cleaning themselves, but keeping on top of their grooming yourself has many benefits, including increasing the bond between you and your pet.
No matter what age, your cat will need a slow and positive introduction to being groomed, and all grooming sessions must only begin when your cat is happy and relaxed. You'll need to finish before they show any signs of being uncomfortable, keeping sessions short so that you end on a positive note.
What will I need to groom my cat?
- Flea comb
- Wide-toothed comb for long-haired cats
- Bristle brush for short-haired cats
- A rubber brush or mitten
How to groom your short-haired cat
Step one: Run a flea comb through their fur first, to make sure they're free of any fleas or eggs. If flea dirt is present, speak to your vet about your options.
Step two: Gently massage your cat's fur at the base. This loosens any fur that otherwise couldn't be reached or removed by a brush.
Step three: Using the bristle brush, run it through their fur from head to tail in the direction that the hair grows.
Step four: The rubber brush or mitten will then work to collect the hair brought to the surface by the bristle brush. Just run this down your cat's body the same way you did the bristle brush.
How to groom your long-haired cat
Step one: Check for fleas by lifting your cat's fur. If flea dirt is present, speak to your vet about your options.
Step two: Gently massage your cat's fur at the base. This loosens any fur that otherwise couldn't be reached or removed by a brush
Step three: Using the wide-toothed comb, run it through their fur from head to tail in the direction that the hair grows. Be sure to take extra care on the arm pit areas, this is where they can get knotty!
Step four: The rubber brush or mitten will then work to collect the hair brought to the surface by the bristle brush. Just run this down your cat's body the same way you did the bristle brush.
If you do come across any knots in your cat's fur, be sure to treat them gently. Slowly tease them apart with your fingers, working carefully from root to tip.
Short-haired cats need to be groomed around once a week, whereas long-haired cats are much higher maintenance and need grooming once a day to stay tangle free.
How do I know if my cat is uncomfortable?
Cats display very subtle behaviours when they are uncomfortable, so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the common signs, as you'll want to stop or have a break from grooming if you see them.
Signs include:
- tail twitching or swishing
- ears moving back or changing position quickly
- pupils dilating and trying to move away
Stopping the grooming process when they show these subtle signs, will make your cat less likely to show more serious warnings they are not comfortable, like growling, hissing, scratching or biting.
Make a mental note at what point you felt your cat became uncomfortable and make sure you end the next session before this point.
