How to Brush Your Cat

Can you remember when your mother or father used to wipe your face as a child after you had made a mess with your meal, or how they combed your hair each morning? Children do not always like to be groomed by their parents. I remember how I could not wait to get off my Mum's lap after she had brushed my hair. In the same way, mother cats groom their kittens. This process is remembered by kittens with affection and is part of the bonding process between the mother and her kittens.

When you become the owner of a new kitten, you have essentially taken over the role of "parent". One way you can bond more quickly with your cat is to brush or comb their fur. When you first start out, be gentle and do not tug on your cat's coat. Brushing a cat can enhance the appearance of the cat's coat and it also affects the cat's feeling of well-being and comfort, as they will not develop as many hairballs. The reason why kittens and adult cats shed is because their hair grows in cycles. The hair grows quickly from the root, then slowly, and then there is a resting period. As the new hair grows, it pushes out the old, dead hair. By brushing your cat's coat, you can help your cat manage their hair and it will turn out better for your cat. Outdoor cats tend to shed their hair in the spring and autumn, while indoor cats shed all year long. The difference in this depends on the amount of time your cat is exposed to daylight or artificial light.

Different coats require different grooming tools. For cat who are extremely close-coated, such as Burmese or Siamese breeds, you will only need a soft chamois. The cloth will remove dead hair and still add sheen to the cat's coat.

For short hair breeds of cat, bristle brushes and small "Greyhound style" combs, which measure 4-inch fine/medium will work well. Pin brushes and the larger "Greyhound style" combs, that are 7.5 x 1-inch coarse/fine are a better alternative for long haired cats. If you would prefer a flea comb, these can be found in most pet shops, while discount shops and some supermarkets may also stock a few of the basic types.

If your cat ends up matted, do not cut the matted fur with scissors. Cats who have long hair have a thin outer layer of skin that can easily be missed when cutting the fur, resulting in a nasty cut. Use the back of a Greyhound comb to remove the matted fur and start picking at it gently. Stop doing this if the cat becomes distressed and start up again once they have calmed down. It is tempting to just want to pull out the mat in the fur. But can you imagine someone tugging at your hair, trying to straighten out some tangled hair? It would not be a pleasant experience. By gently picking at the mat, it will eventually cause the mat to loosen from the skin. Combing and brushing will be much easier once the matted fur has been straightened out. For best results, make sure that the brush or comb's teeth reach down to the cat's skin. Finish up by pulling upward and outward. This action will help to prevent further mats from developing.

It is easier to comb and brush short haired cats. One way in which you can remove dead hair is to brush in the direction of the hair growth, and then with the direction. If you have more than one cat in your household, make sure that you clean the combs and brushes after use on each animal. Hygiene is important among cats and can help prevent infection if one cat is ill.

Do not expect your cat to enjoy the grooming to begin with. They may resist and even try to bite you! But persevere and gently coax your cat to accept the grooming. Start off with a short grooming session and then gradually increase the time you spend brushing their fur, but avoidng the stomach region. Be careful that you do not pull hard at their fur. Reward them some attention and a cat treat. Happy cat grooming!

Source:

http://www.hartz.com/cats/ArticlePreview.asp?Animal=2&Article=70&Topic=9