Cats are probably the most vain in the animal world. But they need humans to keep their fur healthy and beautiful. Do you know how to help them? How to Brush a Cat
Besides their passion for food, sleep, and the sun (among many other things), nothing defines cats better than their vehemence in their daily hygiene routine. Felines can spend hours grooming themselves. And if it is in broad daylight or with a full stomach. They are naturally clean and do not need any human to remind them.
Even so [and although they sometimes believe themselves to be superior beings] they cannot always do everything. That is when they do need our help, for example, when it comes to keeping their precious fur clean and well cared for. If you have just adopted a kitty and you want it to be the most elegant in the animal kingdom, learn how you should brush it and why it is important to do it with a certain frequency.
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Cat hair, a basic element of feline health
Hair is one of the aesthetic qualities that best define and differentiate cats. It can be long or short; fine or dense; light, dark or tricolor; soft or rough… Even cats that appear to have no hair, such as the Sphynx, have a short and more or less dense coat (it is believed that only Kohona or Hawaiian cats lack hair follicles).
But beyond its aesthetic function, hair contributes significantly to maintaining the health of our pets: it increases their protection against attacks from other animals, insects, or parasites, helps them combat temperature changes, and serves as a sign of other diseases. A good weekly brushing can help us prevent hairballs and detect skin lesions, the presence of fleas, and excessive shedding…
Steps to brush a cat correctly
- Cats like to have their fur brushed, but the first few times it won’t be easy to complete the task. Therefore, you should start with gentle movements from the nape of the neck to the tail and in the direction of the hair growth.
- Choose a comfortable place and a time when your pet is receptive to “handling.”
- Use a soft-bristled cat brush to start the grooming ritual with pleasant caresses. After a couple of minutes, when the cat is used to the movement and begins to purr, use a metal-bristled brush to remove dead hair and prevent hairballs.
- Thank him for his good behavior with a reward and a pleasant tone of voice.
When your pet comes to you as soon as he sees you with the brush, you have his full trust. This is when you can include the more delicate areas such as the ears, snout, paws, etc.