Cats are vain creatures–they take great pride in their appearance. If they spend half of their nine lives sleeping, then they spend the other half grooming themselves.

To keep their coats in pristine condition, sometimes our fluff balls may need a bit of a helping hand (or paw), particularly if they are older and less mobile, or have thicker coats – or you just want the best-looking cat on the block!

Regular brushing can help a cat maintain their high standards of grooming. Longhaired cats, such as Persians, Maine Coons and Ragdolls, require more frequent, sometimes daily, brushing, while shorthaired cats, such as typical domestic shorthairs or Siamese, may be brushed less frequently, either weekly or monthly.

The pros of regular brushing include:

• A healthier, glossier coat – Brushing helps remove dirt, dry skin and dead hair, and spreads natural oils throughout the coat, keeping it glossy and soft
• Prevention of matting – Regular brushing helps prevent fur from becoming matted, which can be painful for the cat. If it does become matted, a good-quality brush can help break through the mats. Otherwise, shaving the matted area may be necessary
• Fewer hairballs – During the warmer months, cats shed their coats, and the increase in hair-fall can lead to hairballs. Regular brushing helps loosen and remove fur, which means your cat doesn’t have to swallow it, and potentially cough it up on the carpet later
• A happy cat—Brushing is an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your kitty cat!

As with most things, some cats will love brushing, while others will hate it. Either way, it’s important to get them used to brushing from as early an age as possible.

The best brushes will have very thin teeth and a curved base, called ‘slicker brushes’. They may seem sharp and like they would hurt the cat, but through all that fur, these brushes just feel like a good massage. They are ideal for removing dirt from the coat, as well as loose or dead hair.

Other brushing tools may include specialised combs meant for removing matted fur, and shedding combs, which are particularly useful for longhaired cats (and dogs) with a lot of excess fur.

A well-groomed cat is a happy cat, plus regularly brushing your kitty gives you a chance to keep check on the health of your cat - check for ticks and skin irritations.