How to Brush Hair on a Cat

All cats, even short-haired ones, need to be brushed regularly. Brushing removes excess hair, dead skin cells and will help cut down on the amount of cat hair you find on the furniture. Regularly caring for cat hair will help you notice if he develops a flea infestation. Follow these steps to learn how to brush your cat's hair.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire slicker brush
• Envelope opener
• Metal comb
• Rubber brush
• Nylon brush

1. Start when your cat is young. Kittens learn to tolerate brushing better than adult cats, but even adult cats can learn to accept grooming.

2. Brush your long-haired cat daily. Brush small sections at a time using a wire slicker brush. If you hit a mat use an envelope opener to cut the mat into small pieces that are easy to work through.

3. Comb through your long-haired cat after you have thoroughly brushed him to ensure that you got all of the mats out. Check under the arms and behind the ears which are common places for mats.

4. Groom your short-haired cat at least once a week. Use a rubber or nylon bristled brush to avoid irritating his skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Clip your cat's nails before brushing him so he won't be able to scratch you if he gets aggravated with being brushed.
• Don't try to force a comb through a mat; it will only hurt your cat, carefully cut the mat into little pieces and work through it with your fingers and the comb.