Using Grooming Tools On Cats

Choose the right brush or comb for your cat's coat, with advice from a pet shop or professional groomer. Consider your individual pet too. Some cats have very sensitive skin, so use sharp-toothed combs or brushes sparingly, and always be gentle.

If your cat is short-haired, bristle brush (natural bristles are better) will work fine. Many cats also like those rubber brushes that both neaten the fur and massage the body.

If yours is a long-haired cat, you'll need a metal-toothed comb - look for one with long and short teeth, and with blunt tips that don't scratch.

Slicker brushes (those with very thin, fine metal wires covering the whole surface) are mainly used on dogs with thick, dense fur that sometimes traps loose hairs under the top coat. Most cats don't need slicker brushes, but if yours does, be careful not to nick its skin with the sharp metal tips.

Whether you are using a brush or comb, if at any point you encounter a tangle matt or knot in the fur, don't pull at it. This will hurt your cat and may put it off being groomed. Examine the obstruction closely to see if you can unknot it with your fingers without tugging at the cat's skin.

If you can't, take a pair of blunt-tipped scissors and very carefully cut off the knot or tangle, even if this means leaving a bald patch. Matts and knots must be removed, because their tightness pulls on the cat's skin all the time, giving discomfort to your pet.