Facts on Cat Fur

Time Frame

• Grooming your cat's fur coat can be an enjoyable experience for your feline as long as you provide grooming at least once a week for short-haired breeds and two to three times a week for long-haired cats. By maintaining a regular grooming regimen of your cat's fur, you will be able to keep the fur free of clumping along with removing any debris that can become tangled in the clumps.
  Along with having a shiny, soft coat after brushing, the grooming process provides an additional value by stimulating the underlying vessels that can help promote new fur growth.

Types

• Long-haired breeds require frequent maintenance to keep them beautiful and comfortable. Matted and tangled fur can be uncomfortable for your cat because as the clumps tighten, they pull on the skin. If the clumps are thick, your cat will not be able to groom himself properly and will be unable to clean the area underneath the matted area. This area, if left unattended, can also become a breeding ground for fleas causing your cat additional distress.
  Keeping your cat brushed and removing any matted fur by clipping it away when necessary will keep your cat's fur in a good state. Use an appropriate-sized brush and comb for grooming and maintain a schedule that fits your cat's needs.
  Short-haired cats also require a good grooming regimen. While they do not suffer from the clumping and matting their long-haired counterparts experience, the combing and brushing of their fur provides the same stimulus to their skin and blood vessels and promotes a shiny coat. Because of their short fur, it is also easier to see any hot spots on your cat such as flea eggs or ticks.

Benefits

• Grooming your cat's fur, whether it's a long-haired or short-haired breed, is the perfect opportunity to check the overall condition of your cat for sores, lumps or skin irritations. It also allows you to spend quality time with your pet.
  To give your cat an additional grooming option, purchase items from a pet supply store that your cat can rub against. This will also brush the coat and help remove shedding fur.

Considerations

• Start a grooming regimen slowly if your cat is not used to being combed or brushed. Depending on the condition of the cat's fur, it may be necessary to start out with a comb and clippers to remove tangles.
  After the initial preparation has been completed, gradually introduce your cat to a brush with soft bristles.
  Let her investigate the brush so it's not perceived as a scary object and then slowly begin to brush around the cat's ears, back of the neck and under the neck. Gradually and slowly begin moving the brush over her back and sides to let her become accustomed to the feel of the brush and to let you gauge any resistance she may have.

Fun Fact

• Cats love to preen themselves and can spend extraordinary amounts of time licking and washing and just when you think they've finished, they'll start the whole process all over again.