Brushing is one of the important daily care for cats. It's this brushing, but there are many owners who don't do it surprisingly. In this article, we will tell you what it means to brush your cat, how to do it, and how often to do it. If you're an owner who says, "I can't brush my cat very well...", please read it.
Cats need brushing!
Cats are self-grooming animals. Therefore, some owners think that brushing is not necessary, but that is not the case. In particular, it is one of the cares that must be given to long-haired breeds. Brushing has a variety of effects that I will tell you about below, and you can stay healthy by doing it regularly. Cats basically have two types of fur. The hair that covers the surface of the body, repels water, and protects against UV rays is called the overcoat, and the hair that grows near the skin and plays a role in keeping the body warm is called the undercoat. say. The undercoat is mainly shed during the moulting season in spring and autumn when summer and winter coats change. It is important to take care of each of these two types of hair. Now, I will tell you about the purpose and meaning of brushing separately below.remove unwanted hair
You can remove hair that the cat's own grooming alone can't remove. Especially during the moulting period, the undercoat may not come off properly, causing heat buildup and pilling. In the case of senior cats, the body becomes stiff and often does not groom as expected. You can get rid of the fluffy undercoat by having someone help you with grooming. It also makes cleaning the room easier by removing unwanted hair. If you find it difficult to clean the room during the shedding season because it is full of hair, you may want to increase the brushing time.Prevention of folliculitis
If the hairball accumulates in the stomach and becomes large, it may not be able to be discharged well, and it may accumulate further, creating a vicious cycle. Chronic vomiting and hairballs that block the intestines can lead to hairballs. Long-haired and molting cats are especially prone to hairballs because they swallow more hair. Hairballs can also be caused by excessive grooming in stressful or itchy skin conditions. If there are symptoms, an attempt may be made to expel it with medication, and in some cases surgery may be required. By brushing, the amount of hair swallowed will be reduced, which will prevent hairballs.be a health check
Brushing is done while directly touching your cat's skin and fur, so it also means a health check. "Is he thin or fat?" "Are there any bumps or wounds on his body?" "Are there any fleas or ticks?" Brushing itself also has the effect of stimulating the skin and promoting blood circulation and metabolism.become a communication tool
Brushing is a communication tool with your cat. When someone touches them, they lie down and do a reassuring pose, or they press their head against them and say, "Strok me more!" will be
How to brush a cat
First, gently brush from the back of the neck toward the buttocks. After that, lightly lift one leg and brush around the abdomen from the armpit to the back leg. Raise your chin lightly around your face and neck and gently comb with a comb. Don't grab the tail, just put your hands on it. When you lie down, it's a good idea to do it along the coat of your hair. If static electricity occurs, use water or brushing spray before doing so. When the crackle pain occurs, you will hate brushing. Also, as a tip for brushing, it is important to stop before the cat hates it. If you hold down a cat that doesn't like it, it will be intimidating and will become a child who is not good at brushing. By doing it from a kitten, it will be a child who loves brushing.If you have hairballs
If there is a pill, do not pull it forcibly. Take a bunch of hair around the hair ball and try to untie it with your hands. If it's difficult, it's okay to cut it with a clipper. If you use scissors at this time, you may cut the skin underneath, so never use it. Also, it is important to take care so that hairballs do not form after the next time. Common places for hairballs to appear are behind the ears, under the armpits, on the tail and at the base of the hind legs.what kind of brush do you like? The role of each brush
There are many different types of brushes for cats.
rubber brush
Rubber brushes have the advantage of collecting loose hairs and making them easier to remove. There is also a glove type one, and you can brush with a sense of touch.
slicker brush
A slicker brush is a brush with densely packed fine metal pins that are bent in the shape of a letter "<". Although it looks painful at first glance, it is popular with cats because it resembles the feel of a cat's tongue. It can remove loose hair and detangle hair. A soft type with a rubber tip is recommended for cats.
stainless steel comb
The comb is used for finishing short-haired dogs and for detangling long-haired dogs. A fine-toothed comb is used as a comb. Fleas on the comb are treated by dropping them in water with a neutral detergent.
animal hair brush
Animal hair brushes are brushes that use animal hair such as pig hair. It is mainly used to remove the hair of kittens with weak hair and short-haired children. You will be pleased even if you use it to apply a slightly stiff part. Animal bristle brushes do not detangle bristles.
stainless steel brush
It removes the undercoat surprisingly well, but it can be a little irritating for your cat.
Recommended by mofucat Glove type is also easy to clean and easy to use
It has become a popular item!
You can take care of it just by stroking it★
How often should I do it?
For long-haired breeds, it should be done every day, and for short-haired breeds, it should be done once every 2-3 days. If you have a short-haired breed, you can brush it every day, but if you do it too much, the hair may become thin, so try to brush the same place only a few times. Also, if you do it for too long, you will get bored, so it is good to keep it to about 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
[Summary] About the meaning and method of brushing a cat, and how often to do it
Brushing a cat not only removes unnecessary hair and prevents hairballs, but also serves as a communication tool with the owner. For long-haired breeds, it should be done every day, and for short-haired breeds, it should be done once every 2-3 days. Start brushing today to improve the relationship of trust with your cat!
Reference material
- Akiko Ishimaru, Anatomy of Cats and Houses, X-Knowledge, 2020