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The Underrated Care Routine

Brush the cat? It cleans itself.

Yes, but...

Cats groom themselves incredibly well. Yet:

  • They don’t remove dead hair.
  • They swallow hair (hairballs).
  • They don’t untangle knots.
  • Long hair: a real necessity.

Brushing regularly offers concrete benefits:

  • Reduces hairballs drastically.
  • Prevents knots.
  • Reduces hair in the house.
  • Strengthens bonding.
  • Recognizes skin problems early.

Let’s take a look at the breed-by-breed guide.

The Universal Rule

Short hair: 1-2 times a week.

Medium hair: 2-3 times a week.

Long hair: daily.

Shedding season (spring, autumn): increase by 50-100%.

The Breed-by-Breed Guide

Short HAIR

Breeds:

  • Domestic European short hair.
  • British Shorthair.
  • Bengal.
  • Sphynx (fine hair).
  • Burmese.
  • Tonkinese.
  • Siamese.

Needs:

  • Brushing 1-2 times/week.
  • 5-10 minutes per session.

Tools:

  • Rubber glove or soft brush.
  • Occasional fine-toothed comb.

Technique:

  • Brush in the direction of the hair.
  • Light pressure.
  • Start from the head.

Medium HAIR

Breeds:

  • Russian Blue (double coat).
  • Norwegian Forest.
  • Manx.

Needs:

  • Brushing 2-3 times/week.
  • 10-15 minutes per session.

Tools:

  • Slicker brush.
  • Metal comb (with medium teeth).
  • Furminator (occasional, during shedding).

Long HAIR

Breeds:

  • Persian.
  • Maine Coon.
  • Sacred Birman.
  • Ragdoll.
  • Selkirk Rex.

Needs:

  • Daily brushing.
  • 15-30 minutes per session.
  • Multiple times a day during shedding.

Tools:

  • Metal comb (with wide and narrow teeth).
  • Slicker brush.
  • Natural bristle brush.
  • Possibly scissors for knots.

The Detailed Tools

Slicker Brush

What it is:

  • A brush with fine metal bristles.
  • Tips slightly bent.

Pros:

  • Removes dead hair.
  • Effective on small knots.

Cost: €8-20.

Brands:

  • Trixie.
  • Karlie.
  • Hertzko.

Metal Comb

What it is:

  • A comb made of metal.
  • Wide and narrow teeth.

Pros:

  • Detangles knots.
  • Distributes hair.

Cost: €5-15.

Rubber Glove

What it is:

  • A glove with rubber "teeth".

Pros:

  • Massages and collects hair.
  • Suitable for cats that don’t like stiff brushes.

Cost: €8-15.

Furminator

What it is:

  • A brush specifically for removing undercoat.

Pros:

  • Drastically reduces shedding.

Cons:

  • Aggressive if used too often.
  • High cost.

Usage: only during shedding season, max once a week.

Cost: €30-60.

Natural Bristle Brush

What it is:

  • Bristles from plants or animals (boar).

Pros:

  • Distributes sebum.
  • Shines the coat.

Usage: as the final brush after the others.

Cost: €10-25.

Scissors for Knots

What it is:

  • Round-tipped scissors.

Pros:

  • To cut unmanageable knots.

Usage: with caution, never close to the skin.

Cost: €8-15.

The Correct Technique

Step 1: Calm Environment

  • Quiet room.
  • Good lighting.
  • Relaxed cat.

Step 2: Position

Options:

  • On your lap: comfortable.
  • On a table with a non-slip mat.
  • In your arms for kittens.

Step 3: Start with "Easy" Areas

  • Back.
  • Sides.

Avoid last:

  • Belly.
  • Tail.
  • Head.

(More sensitive areas)

Step 4: Movement

  • With the hair (from head to tail).
  • Slow and steady movements.
  • Light pressure.

Step 5: Handle Knots

Small knots:

  • Delicate slicker.
  • Fine-toothed comb.

Large knots:

  • DO NOT pull.
  • Hold the knot at the base with your fingers.
  • Comb from the outside to the inside.
  • Patience.

Impossible knots:

  • Scissors (with caution).
  • Professional groomer.

Step 6: Reward

Always:

  • Special treat.
  • Petting.
  • Soft voice.

The 5 Mistakes that Make the Cat Flee

Mistake 1: Wrong Brush

Example:

  • Rigid slicker on short hair (irritates).
  • Fine-toothed comb on Persian (doesn't reach).

Solution: suitable brush for the coat.

Mistake 2: Moving Against the Hair

Causes irritation.

Solution: always with the direction of the hair.

Mistake 3: Too Much Force

Cat feels pain.

Solution: light pressure, never strong.

Mistake 4: Too Long Sessions

Cat gets tired, stops tolerating.

Solution:

  • Max 10-15 minutes.
  • Stop at the first sign of discomfort.

Mistake 5: No Rewards

Routine without reward = cat flees.

Solution:

  • Special treat during/after.
  • Soft voice.
  • Petting.

Cat Habituation

For Kittens

Start right away:

  • "Fake" brushing with a glove.
  • Reward.
  • Gradually increase.

At 6 months: routine consolidated.

For Reluctant Adult Cats

Phase 1 (1-2 weeks):

  • Show the brush.
  • Reward.
  • No brushing.

Phase 2:

  • Touch with the brush (1-2 seconds).
  • Reward.

Phase 3:

  • 30 seconds of brushing.
  • Reward.

Phase 4:

  • 1-2 minutes.
  • Reward.

Phase 5:

  • Complete session.

Time: 4-8 weeks.

Shedding Season

Spring and autumn: heavy shedding.

Strategy:

  • Daily brushing (even for short hair).
  • Furminator 1-2 times a week.
  • Frequent vacuuming.

Duration: 2-4 weeks per season.

The "Stop" Signals

During brushing, stop if you see:

  • Whipping tail.
  • Ears back.
  • Huffing.
  • Dilated pupils.
  • Attempts to bite.
  • Discomfort vocalizations.

Resume later, shorter session.

Cats that Do NOT Like Brushing

Strategies:

  • Very short sessions:
    • 30 seconds initially.
    • Massive reward.
  • Preferred brush:
    • Rubber glove (less intrusive).
  • Groomer:
    • For severe cases.
    • €30-60 per session.
  • Mobile groomer:
    • Familiar environment.
    • Less stress.

Professional Grooming

When to go:

  • Long-haired breeds that resist.
  • Kittens for the first time.
  • Severe mats.
  • Periodic baths.

Cost:

  • €30-60 (short/medium hair).
  • €50-100 (long hair).

Frequency: every 2-4 months (in addition to at-home care).

Daily Benefits

For the cat:

  • Healthy coat.
  • Fewer hairballs.
  • Early recognition of problems.

For the home:

  • Less hair around.
  • Less vacuuming.

For the relationship:

  • Strengthened bonding.
  • Shared routine.

The Myths to Debunk

Myth 1: "Cats clean themselves, no need." False: they wash, not brush.

Myth 2: "You need to brush against the hair to better remove dead hair." False: brushing against irritates, hair is removed the same way.

Myth 3: "All cats hate brushes." False: with the right technique, many love it.

Myth 4: "Furminator daily." False: too aggressive. Only weekly or during shedding.

The Truth

Brushing the cat is an essential routine that:

  • Improves health.
  • Reduces problems.
  • Strengthens bond.

Initial investment: €30-60 for tools.

Weekly time: 30-60 minutes total.

Benefit: years of better life for your cat.

Start today. With the right brush. Gradually. Reward generously.

In a few weeks, it will be routine. In a few months, your cat will ask for brushing.

And the hair that flies away during brushing is hair that does not fly around the house. Double win.

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