This is the pet’s undercoat. It has a soft and downy texture and it provides insulation and protection, while the topcoat is made up of ‘guard hairs’ whose primary function is to keep the pet’s skin dry. Features to look for in a cat grooming brush All three of my cats LOVE the Zoom Groom and find being groomed by it an enjoyable experience. The silicone material of the brush means it is not only soft but also massaging, meaning the majority of cats enjoy the grooming experience with this brush. Of course with all the patience in the world, without the right tools you will not succeed. There are lots of great grooming bits & pieces to help us with this often difficult task. Here are a few of my purrsonal favourites... While the Zoom Groom is fantastic for preventing mats from forming, it isn’t the most effective option for removing mats. Is this brush designed for cats only?

The comb has a long handle and contoured design so that it fits comfortably in your hand and is easier to control. The SleekEZ comes in multiple sizes. I have the small size for my cats and did not know about the large sizes until writing this review. Quit while you're winning - end the session before things get heated and you cat gets antsy. Otherwise allthey'll remember is the frustration and fleeing your grasp with a grumpy look on their face or worse a swipe or a bite.

Matts and tangles can be painful, especially when they are tight to the skin. Frequent grooming will prevent them from occurring. We can group grooming brushes into many different categories based on their features, from the shape and size to the bristles, material, and design. The most popular types include: Bristle Brush Moderately to severely matted fur is a real welfare concern because it restricts a cat's normal movement and is a source of pain as it pulls on their fragile skin as they try to go about their every day activities. It also prevents cats from carrying out basic natural behaviour like the simple normal self-cleaning grooming cycle that usually goes on after meals and often in between.Understandably these cats find it harder to reach to groom all over or get to the coat and skin underneath the matted fur effectively - the natural oils from the skin and the dead skin cells (dandruff) start to accumulate underneath the matted fur because they can't fall off as they ordinarily would. The rubber teeth are well-spaced and less irritative than other wire or plastic brushes. The rubbery material also helps give you a better grip while you’re brushing your cat, which is especially helpful if your cat is wiggly. The pliable rubber tips easily catch and hold strands of cat hair, collecting them all in one easy-to-clean spot. You can even use this brush to massage your cat’s skin and fur while you are bathing them! Once a week use a brush designed for grooming and removing their undercoat and then on the other brushes throughout the week, just use a brush designed for smooth and shine of the topcoat.

Grooming sessions do not need to be long, in fact, most cats will only tolerate 5-10 minutes at a time anyway. If your cat is becoming upset or stressed stop and resume another day. Atrip to your vets will likely be necessary for medium to large mats, as it can be kinder for most cats to undergo sedation for a full and proper "de-mat" with industrial strength electric clippers. It's a long laboriousprocess at this advanced stage so can challenge even the most tolerant of cats!If your cat has any underlying illness or is older, then your vet will be better placed to monitor your cat during the procedure too. Older, overweight and arthritic cats or those with oral/dental pain will often struggle to groom themselves effectively - meaning they groom less often, avoid certain harder to reach areas and are prone to developing matted clumps of fur and dandruff. This basically due to the fact that when something is too difficult or painful, cats adopt behaviours that trigger less pain or if the pains bad enough, avoid them altogether.

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If cat grooming is unfamiliar territory, you just need to keep a few factors in mind when shopping to choose the most suitable product. First off, you need to know your cat’s unique needs — are they a short-haired cat? A long-haired cat? Do they have sensitive skin? etc. It’s also advisable to try out two or more products to find which one best suits your pet’s needs. The first 4 years were difficult but through the use of certain products, I was able to socialize my cats, at least to to where they are now: loving, playful cats who enjoy my husband's and my company, and even occasionally even come out of their rooms to greet visitors. One major problem for them was that they had never been brushed. It is easy to keep your cat’s coat looking neat and tangle-free with this cat brush. It’s lightweight and features a wide wooden handle for better grip. Its ergonomic design enables you to gently remove dead hair while giving your furry friend a soothing, effortless massage that doesn’t pull at your cat’s hair. The soft bristles also help to stimulate and spread natural oils throughout your cat’s coat, making them soft and shiny.

Large mattes should not be pulled off your cat as this can be quite painful for your cat. If mattes are not easily dislodged, you may want to take your cat to the groomer or the vet to have them shaved off. As mentioned above, Midnight’s are shaved off in the spring. The SleekEZ for Cats You can try to very carefully untangle knots and mats in your cat’s hair, but be sure to do it gently and patiently so you don’t hurt your kitty. Sometimes cutting through the mat can help to detangle it as well, but always make sure to do this carefully and not to cut too close to your cat’s skin. When the mats of fur are small, few and relatively close to the tip of the fur, then yes, many cats will allow you to shave or trim away mats at home. It's very easy to accidentally cut their skin so be careful and don't try and cut them away if they are very close to the skin.

My best advice is to brush your cat’s coat in the same direction that their fur grows. Don’t go against the grain! Kong cat toys encourage play, satisfying instinctual needs and strengthening the bond between cat and pet parent.