How to Brush a cat

Brushing your cat keeps your pet's coat healthy and shiny, while establishing a bonding routine between you and your animal. By setting up a comfortable grooming routine, you can minimize shedding hair in your home and promote your cat's health.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose the right grooming instrument. Get a specialty cat comb--available at grocery and pet supply stores--for short-haired cats. Long-haired cats require a brush specific to their hair type to get rid of matting.

2. Establish a comfortable routine. Brush your cat around the same time every time. Weekly for short-haired cats and several times a week for long-haired cats. Begin by petting your cat and allowing the animal to sniff the comb or brush so both of you feel safe during the process.

3. Aim for short, frequent sessions. If your cat doesn't like to be brushed for a long period of time, just set up grooming times for shorter durations more often. Always adhere to your cat's comfort zone, and if the animal expresses resistance or discomfort, end the session.

4. Brush your cat gently in the direction of hair growth. Following the pattern of hair growth allows you to remove hair more easily and avoids irritating your animal. Try to follow up each stroke with a pet or an affectionate gesture to encourage and comfort your cat.

5. Pay attention to sensitive areas. Many cats don't allow anyone to touch their bellies, so don't push your cat if you know that certain areas are off limits. Take it slowly around areas prone to knots and matting and try not to pull hard.

6. Talk soothingly to your cat and follow up your brushing session with a treat. These actions reinforce that brushing is a pleasant routine for both of you, thereby encouraging your cat to submit to grooming in the future.