Grooming Your Cat: Brushing, Mats and Hairballs
Cats groom themselves, but they still need help - especially long-haired and older ones.
Self-grooming keeps a cat clean but does nothing about the fur it swallows in the process. Brushing removes that hair before it becomes a hairball.
How often
- Short-haired: once or twice a week with a rubber brush or grooming glove.
- Long-haired: daily, with a metal comb as well as a slicker. Skipping days is how mats start.
- Senior or overweight cats: daily, because they can no longer reach their back and hindquarters.
Mats
Mats pull on the skin and hide sores underneath. Work small ones apart with fingers and a comb, holding the fur at the base so you are not tugging the skin. Never use scissors — cat skin is thin and lifts into the blade far too easily. Large or tight mats are a job for a vet or groomer with clippers.
Hairballs
An occasional hairball is normal. Frequent ones point to too little brushing, or sometimes to over-grooming from stress, allergies or pain. Regular brushing plus a fibre-rich diet resolves most cases.
Nails and teeth
Trim nail tips every two to three weeks. Introduce tooth brushing gradually with cat toothpaste — dental disease is one of the most common problems in cats over three.
