Cats are very mischievous animals. Although they can also be farm or wild cats, which wander freely and avoid people, you can keep them as pets in homes.
Cats don’t need the same amount of attention or activity that dogs frequently need. Because of this, they are great pets for persons with limited space, a hectic lifestyle, or restricted mobility. However, they need some regular grooming to stay happy and clean.
The cat uses facial expressions, vocalizations, tail movements, and body postures to describe its emotions and intentions. Different cats have different types of body hair, and long hair cats need brushes to comb or entangle the body hairs.
Why Do Cats Need Hair Brushes?
Cats have fur and body hair all around. Taking care of body hair is essential because cats exhibit hair loss, which you may see all around the house. There are advantages and disadvantages to owning a cat as a pet.
Body hair on cats comes in both soft and undesirable varieties. Some cats have tiny hairs on their bodies, while others have long hair. Long hair cats need proper care as they have more hair fall, and you need a suitable brush to clean and entangle their hair.
Indoor long-haired cats shed all year and require grooming sessions every few days to remove the dead hair and avoid knots. Brushing a cat is easy. You can gently comb the fur toward its head, starting with its legs and abdomen. Brush the hair on its neck up toward its chin.
You should part its tail down the middle and brush out the fur on either side carefully. You can use talcum powder to pry knots apart with your fingertips gently. Try a mat splitter if you can’t get the knots out by hand. Regular hair brushing of the cats helps in the following.
- It removes grease from the area.
- It gets rid of dead hair to reduce shedding.
- It stimulates blood flow.
- You can remove skin flakes and dandruff.
- Regular brushing of your cat, such as once daily or twice weekly, will lessen the quantity of extra hair they carry. And less cat hair equals less cat hair on the floor furniture, vacuum, and furnace. It prevents cat hair from turning your garments into fur coats.
- Hairballs are typical for cats but unpleasant to clean up or touch. But when you brush your cat and assist them in getting rid of extra fur, you will not step on anything nasty and slimy.
- Regular brushings can be a fantastic method to find “flea dirt” in your cat’s fur, letting you know whether the pesky insects are trying to establish a base of operations.
- An older cat, a cat with arthritis, or another movement impairment that makes grooming difficult will greatly appreciate your help.
- You can encourage your cat’s trust in you and extend your current level of affection by combing or grooming your cat.
Cause of Hair Loss in Cats
In most cases, parasites and fungi are responsible for hair loss in your cat. Flea allergies and ringworm are other possibilities. Your cat can have metabolic conditions like hyperthyroidism caused by the overproduction of hormones.
Urinary tract problems or constant licking may also cause hair loss. So, it is best to stay careful with your cat. Take proper care of your pet and ensure they are not visiting unhygienic places. The best you can do is regularly brush your cat and keep it clean.
What are the Ideal Characteristics of Cat Brushes?
Before buying a cat brush for your pet, you must think about certain specifications as they will affect the cat’s body hair. Here are the ideal characteristics of cat brushes.
- It should not have very sharp metal wiring as it can be painful for the cats while getting their hair brushed.
- The material of the brush should be appropriate so that it does not cause any injury to the cat’s body.
- The price is significant, and you should ensure that it is long-lasting and durable.
- The metal wiring of the brush should not be too sharp.
- The length and dimension of the brush should be appropriate so that it can be handled by the pet owner easily without making it cumbersome.
Different Types of Brushes for Cats
For various forms of body hair, many brush types are available. Every brush has its pros and cons with certain specifications. Additionally, some bodily ailments call for a particular brush. Let’s examine several brush kinds that you can use to remove cat body hair.
- Slicker Brush
All hair types can use it, but you must avoid nicking your cat’s skin with the metal tines. Additionally, it would be best if you did not handle long-haired cats roughly because this could result in hair breaking. This brush removes tangles, smoothes the fur, and distributes the coat’s natural oils to give it a gloss.
- Moulting Brush
It is beneficial for cats with long hair. You can detangle the coat and avoid the mat with regular application. There are two distinct pin lengths on this kind of comb. The shorter pins assist in gathering the loose fur, while the longer teeth cut through the top coat to untangle knots and remove the undercoat.
- Bristle Brush
A bristle brush works well as a finishing brush for kitties with longer or thicker hair, but you may also use it to groom cats with short, sleek hair. This cat brush’s gentle bristles smooth the coat and leave it looking lustrous.
- Rubber Brush
Compared to the metal teeth or bristles of traditional cat grooming products, these brushes feel radically different. Rubber nubs aid in skin massage and healthy oil distribution for a glossy coat. Additionally, since the rubber’s structure softly removes the fur, it aids in the removal of stray hair in cats that shed.
- Flea Comb
Because the teeth of cat flea combs are so close, your cat’s fur will be free of fleas and their filth and eggs. All cats can use flea combs, but you must be careful not to break lengthy hair.
- Pin Brush
Cat pin brushes help remove hair tangles and knots to avoid matting. Use pins that readily cut through long fur to carefully comb and tidy up the coat. All coats, especially those with medium to long hair, respond well to it as a daily brush.
- Deshedding Brush
Deshedding brushes work wonders in thinning your cat’s hair without sacrificing length. Using a bristle-blade combination, they strategically remove the undercoat and loose hair without cutting or harming the top coat.
They come in various sizes and for a variety of coat lengths. The Furnimator is the most well-known de-shedding brush because it was the first to use under-coat rake technology.
- Grooming Gloves
Cats who dislike brushing are huge fans of grooming gloves. Your cats have no idea they are getting a grooming session. To them, it seems like a lovely gesture. Thus, you can enjoy petting your cat and brushing its fur simultaneously with these gloves.
Top 3 Comfortable and Useful Brushes for Your Cat
Below are 3 brushes you can purchase to give your cat the best grooming.
1. itPlus Hair Slicker Brush
The brush is made with TPR, ABS, and stainless steel needle material. The brush is a self-cleaning brush, and it is straightforward to use. It is suitable for cats with medium and long hair. Its manufacturer is itPlus US-direct.
It can help you in saving time and protect your fingers at the same time. It has antistatic capabilities, and you can utilize it throughout the year. There is less hair that is pushed off and won’t fly throughout the house.
Begin by gradually combing your pet’s tip toward the root. To prevent hurting your pet, avoid pulling the hair out firmly. If the hair knot is severe, cut it and comb it. Every morning and evening, brush your cat for roughly five minutes each. Keep the brush away from your pet and young children when not in use.
Pros
- It effectively minimizes seasonal cat hair loss through a relaxing massage.
- Cat hair slips off with the push of a button, requiring no water to clean.
- It has excellent, transportable, and robust material.
- It has comfortable ergonomics, and handling is easy.
Cons
- Metal blades may injure the body of the cat.
2. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The product is from the Hertzko brand and is purple. It is rectangular. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is used to detangle the cat’s body hair. It is easy to carry while traveling. They are very easy-to-use and comfortable products.
The brush removes all the hair with a button, reducing your workload. The brush has specific round bristles that won’t break or bend and does the work without hurting the skin. It is comfortable and very convenient to use as it has anti-slip handles with soft grips. It is a multipurpose tool that removes tangles, knots, dirt, and loose hair.
Pros
- It is versatile, as you can use it on cats with small, medium, and long hair.
- It has an intelligent design with delicate, angled bristles.
- The brush provides ergonomic comfort
- It is easy to clean.
Cons
- The metal wires might hurt the cat.
3. Aumuca Shedding Brush
Aumuca manufactures this white brush. The shape of the brush is round and has a plastic handle material. It is simpler to properly groom the undercoat when using 150° bent needles that penetrate deep into the coat.
Regular use of this cat brush for long-haired cats can help to remove loose hair, tangles, knots, dander, and trapped filth gently and efficiently.
It is suitable for cats with short, medium, or long hair that is thick, thin, or curly, making your pets lustrous and healthy. It works great as a cat de-shedding brush for shedding and massaging your pets without causing any harm to their skin, including delicate skin.
Pros
- Pet slicker brushes will stop cats from developing mats and knots, which are uncomfortable for cats.
- Using this hair cat brush, you can keep flooring and furniture clear of pet hair.
- Regular brushing will improve blood circulation, leaving your cat glossy and healthy.
- Your cats won’t have to endure the discomfort of throwing up hairballs if you keep them well-brushed.
Cons
- The needles are shorter as compared to other brushes, so they might not be able to penetrate deep in thick fur coats.
How to Brush Your Cat?
Cats love brushing and grooming, and at the same time, it is essential also. But before that, you should know how to brush your cat correctly. So here are the tips about brushing your cat.
- Make sure your cat is at ease and open to petting before you begin. To ensure it is not “in a mood,” stroke its fur for a while.
- Start by using a light touch with the brush. Start by brushing your cat’s favorite spots for petting, which are probably on the back, in the space behind their ears, or under their chin.
- You can gradually work your way up to the more delicate areas, like the belly, as your cat becomes more receptive to the feeling of being brushed. While brushing their tummy, if they attack you, don’t press the issue and continue brushing where they feel most at ease.
- To help your pet associate brushing with fun, end each brushing session with a little play or a special reward.
Does Brushing Improve the Bonding with Your Cat?
Petting your cat may not work if you want to bond with it. You may try brushing the cat. Most cats love grooming. Just like petting, when you brush your cats, it makes them feel comfortable and safe.
However, unlike petting, it has a bonus. It makes the fur and skin of your cat clean and healthy. Besides, it is an excellent opportunity to see if there are any bruises, scratches, or bumps that your cat may have picked from outside your house.
Conclusion
Cats love grooming and massaging. Make sure you groom your cats well, select the proper brush to help remove the dirt and de-shedding, and take care of your cat’s health. Choose the brush with the correct specifications to see better results.
