Brushing a Cat- What kind of brush and how to do it?

Hey all,

I adopted a 3 year old long haired cat Paprika 2 months ago and, while she is the sweetest kitty ever, she hates getting groomed! I'm a first time cat owner along with my husband and I need some tips on how to get her to like being brushed. We have tried using a slicker brush (she hates it and I can tell why--it looks like needles!) , a metal comb (she doesn't mind it as long as its only around her head area, otherwise she starts hissing at us), a regular two sided brush (I think its pretty useless because it doesn't do anything for tangles or anything for that matter). We also used a tool called ShedMonster we bought from Walmart which is pretty good for shedded hair but I feel like it pulls at her fur and is uncomfortable.

We go about grooming her by trying to brush her in the morning before her first meal (because we want to "reward" her with food). My husband holds her and I try to comb her tangles in her her fur and she start growling at us. I also use a safety scissor to gently snip of some mats I find. Then sometimes I use a cat wipe to wipe her stray hairs and refresh her fur. But as soon as we give her the food for being a good kitty and letting us brush her, she turns back into the cute and sweet cat that she is. We do this about 2-3 times a week because its pretty stressful for her.

Btw, did anyone use the KONG Zoom Groom? Does it work well?

I want to make this experience a good one for all of us, does anyone have any tips how to do that? I have read countless times that some cats even like getting brushed and its a great bonding experience! I wanna have a happy and mat-free kitty too!

I think you have all the tools that are usually used, so I wouldn't bother buying any more of them. I am a cat groomer. What I usually suggest to owners is that they keep the grooming tools around the house, close to wherever you tend to relax with your cat. When your cat is feeling mellow, maybe just after a nap, do a little bit of combing. The metal comb is the most useful because it can reach the skin. You don't wind up just brushing the surface of the fur.

Do a little bit of combing,then stop. Cats usually will tolerate a little at a time, so don't try to comb the whole cat. Many cats are sensitive about being brushed on their rear area or belly, though some don't mind it.

If she growls a little, that's okay, as long as she doesn't swat at you or nip.  

If it gets to be too much, you can always hire a professional cat groomer. They can get rid of mats and do a thorough washing, blow drying and de-shedding/de-matting.  Mats are made up of skin oil and dead/shedding fur. Baths help get rid of the oil and dead fur, at least for a while.

Good luck!

I just wanted to add that I use the Zoom Groom on both my DSH and DMH. The DMH does not enjoy being brushed but tolerates the Kong brush better than others. It gets off a lot of hair, but I still feel more conventional brushes work better over all. I do like using the Zoom Groom a lot though.

SpiffyKitty said:

 
I think you have all the tools that are usually used, so I wouldn't bother buying any more of them. I am a cat groomer. What I usually suggest to owners is that they keep the grooming tools around the house, close to wherever you tend to relax with your cat. When your cat is feeling mellow, maybe just after a nap, do a little bit of combing. The metal comb is the most useful because it can reach the skin. You don't wind up just brushing the surface of the fur.

Do a little bit of combing,then stop. Cats usually will tolerate a little at a time, so don't try to comb the whole cat. Many cats are sensitive about being brushed on their rear area or belly, though some don't mind it.

If she growls a little, that's okay, as long as she doesn't swat at you or nip.  

If it gets to be too much, you can always hire a professional cat groomer. They can get rid of mats and do a thorough washing, blow drying and de-shedding/de-matting.  Mats are made up of skin oil and dead/shedding fur. Baths help get rid of the oil and dead fur, at least for a while.

Good luck!

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Thanks so much for your response! I will definitely try those things and we will try grooming her everyday. It's just that it sucks seeing my usually sweet cat hiss and kick at me just because I'm trying to help her so I didn't do it as often and she ends up getting mats and hairballs. If all else fails, off to the groomer we go!

PangurBan said:

 
I just wanted to add that I use the Zoom Groom on both my DSH and DMH. The DMH does not enjoy being brushed but tolerates the Kong brush better than others. It gets off a lot of hair, but I still feel more conventional brushes work better over all. I do like using the Zoom Groom a lot though.

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Thanks! I think I might order that off Chewy.. I'm just afraid the rubber bristles will pull at the intact hair. But it's definitely worth a shot

Your cat is beautiful.  I have a long haired cat and use a people comb on her.  I would suggest to comb in small time slots because she doesn't like to be brushed.  You might try taking her to a qualified groomer to see how they do it or see if the Vet has a groomer on staff who could help you with the combing.  Pulling on matts does hurt - think having gum stuck in your hair - I can usually get a matt undone with a comb over a few sessions by holding the matt and taking the comb slowly through the matt, it takes awhile but it can be done.  I always give her a treat when I'm done as I do when clipping her nails - a small treat does help.  Good luck

My feral cat does not like to be held but loves food so I started brushing him when he was given food. I use two pet zoom metal pet brushes, one in each hand to brush his back and sides while he eats his canned food he loves it. As soon as he finished eating I have to stop or he bites. He associates brushing with a good experience.

I had and have similar haired cats. What worked for me: cat comb from pet store with rotating pins, to start with, and hair brush to pick up superficial dust and loose hair. Didn't solve problem with shedded hair, though.

And, both liked to do that on the big table under strong light, spa-like settings (work table, actually). Brushing not at the right angle to skin, but in direction of hair growth, with short gentle strokes starting from head and, on tail, starting from the end, helped. As well as doing partial groomings, as much as cat agrees to.

Other things, like shedding and flea check-up were problematic, both were strongly opposed, will it be Wal-Mart's metal or plastic tool or PetSmart's most expensive shedding device. I guess they still pull off growing hair too.

Such a beautiful cat you have!

My cats have feral origins and most of them don't like from grooming, but some of them have learned to like it.

What I have found is that they do like from brush that has kind of metal spikes attached to cushion, do that to cheeks of cat, first let cat sniff the brush and then cat might start marking it as safe object which is done by rubbing cheek on object and as it is brush cheek get brushed.

Most of my cats have found out this being something that feels good so they kind of brush themselves from cheeks that is, I just need to hold the brush and they rub their head against the brush.

From that point it is bit of slow progress, natural flow from there goes to neck, also top of the head, which one need to touch like a feather, very slow movements so not to startle the cat.

Some days or weeks later one can start to brush back and when that seem to work fine, then rear section and tail, sides only after that, but one should do it so that never push to point where cat feels uncomfortable and tries to move away.

If done succesfully, cat does most of the brushing by himself and looks forward of it, but it is bit of luring and going slowly, maybe even rewarding with treats after good progress.

Cat head is thicker than most humans, so if cat does not want, then there is not much way to make cat accept, it has to be that cat wants and that way luring cat to like brushing seem to work best for me and my cats.

Tip of brushing cat when eating is good one, works for some, also I had one deep sleeper, just needed to wait until in deep sleep and then attach with the brush, poor thing never knew what had happened while being at sleep, but coat was really good condition, problem was she started then to sleep really a lot, maybe thinking that it was the sleep that make her coat prettier and trying to get even more pretty. Who really knows what goes on cat's mind, but that was one way to manage with brushing. She was not socialized at all so she would of bitten if attempting to brush against her will when she was awake.

paprikitty said:

Thanks! I think I might order that off Chewy.. I'm just afraid the rubber bristles will pull at the intact hair. But it's definitely worth a shot :bigwink:

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I've been meaning to get a Zoom Groom myself. I've heard they are good at loosening undercoat. I've also heard it's good to follow up with a slicker brush or comb immediately thereafter.

My Oksana (DSH) LOVE to be brushed. She acts like she's in total ecstasy while I'm doing it. Beans (DLH) on the other hand HATES it.

She has and incredibly long coat so she must be brushed at least once a day. It's what some would refer to as a triple coat. Two layers of downy undercoat and an outer layer of long guard hairs.
It's a huge pain in the spring and fall when it turns over.

My solution? Distraction. Beans loves to watch the birds outside. I open the window (screen in place) to let her bird watch. Then when she starts chattering, I strike, starting with her head and moving my way through the vast sea of fur.

It's less stressful for her b/c she isn't paying attention, and less stressful for me as I'm not dodging claws and teeth.

I've been using Zoom Groom on my skinny kitty. It does the job and there is no accidental poking from plastic or metal tines. She needs a light touch. The Zoom Groom (out of all the brushes that I have) is the best of any of the brushes I have spent money on. It works on my big thick haired cat as well.

I have over 10 brushes/combs (pet/human). Zoom Groom was my 1st purchase, total failure, kitty didn't tolerate that, had only used it like, twice and had to put it aside. I used the furminator for a couple months until the blade blunt, I stopped buying, its expensive and didn't last. Since then I bought a couple, some he didn't tolerate, some just didn't do a good job of getting the fur out. Currently, have been using a slicker brush for nearly a year, does its job and one my kitty tolerated.

my cat loved the tool my brother gave me because his manx hated it. I don't know what they're called but it's a metal loop with teeth attached to a wooden handle. I believe similar tools are used on horses and dogs. my cat loved it so much she would rub her chin on it if I left it on the bed, even though it was sharp, but she was a weirdo. maybe one day I can find it and take a picture of it for you.

google "de-shedding blade", mine was egg-shaped and the handle was partially wood, a longer skinnier one would be better than round, imo

Petco De-Shedding Blade for Cats

You are describing a deshedding blade. I haven't been able to find one around here. They sell them online, but they're really expensive for some reason.

major pet stores sell them for less than 10bucks...online too

I'm sorry I mistakenly called it a deshedding tool. The tool I'm referring to,is called a "mat breaker". It's a professional grooming tool, and I've yet to find one locally. The ones online range from $30-$60.

Thanks for your responses! We've been trying different things and whats definitely worked for my long haired kitty is a dual sided comb from Andis that I have put a picture of here.  I comb her fur from around her mane first which I think she likes and then go down to the difficult parts such as her hind legs and belly and I use the wider spaced tines. She growls a teeny bit but nothing crazy. Then I go again with the smaller spaced ones and it definitely makes her fur look great and takes out quite a bit of shedded fur. I ordered this from chewy along with a shedding comb and a pin brush but I haven't used those yet because this comb has worked so well!

I think I'm going to order a good pet fur trimmer online because she is still getting mats and I am deathly afraid of cutting them with scissors (as I should be). Her mats can get so bad that using a comb to break them apart simply does not work. And I can't take her to the groomer for every mat because its just too much time and money. So any suggestions for a quiet, good trimmer that will be gentle and won't pull at her hair?

I can't believe this question was featured on TCS! Seeing Paprika on the front page of the website made me feel like a proud mama! But I already felt like one anyway!

bigperm20 said:

I'm sorry I mistakenly called it a deshedding tool. The tool I'm referring to,is called a "mat breaker". It's a professional grooming tool, and I've yet to find one locally. The ones online range from $30-$60.

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when you consider it's something that will last for years that's not too bad

paprikitty said:

Thanks for your responses! We've been trying different things and whats definitely worked for my long haired kitty is a dual sided comb from Andis that I have put a picture of here. 

I comb her fur from around her mane first which I think she likes and then go down to the difficult parts such as her hind legs and belly and I use the wider spaced tines. She growls a teeny bit but nothing crazy. Then I go again with the smaller spaced ones and it definitely makes her fur look great and takes out quite a bit of shedded fur. I ordered this from chewy along with a shedding comb and a pin brush but I haven't used those yet because this comb has worked so well!

I think I'm going to order a good pet fur trimmer online because she is still getting mats and I am deathly afraid of cutting them with scissors (as I should be). Her mats can get so bad that using a comb to break them apart simply does not work. And I can't take her to the groomer for every mat because its just too much time and money. So any suggestions for a quiet, good trimmer that will be gentle and won't pull at her hair?

I can't believe this question was featured on TCS! Seeing Paprika on the front page of the website made me feel like a proud mama! But I already felt like one anyway! :heart4:

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I'm glad she tolerates the comb. I've heard a steel comb is a must for LH kitties. Beans absolutely hated the comb for some reason. She kept attacking the comb and then me if I kept going.

mycatwasthebest said:

when you consider it's something that will last for years that's not too bad

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I agree. The Oster brand are especially nice.