Why brushing is important
There are many reasons why brushing is important for cats. These reasons will be different for long-haired and short-haired pets. That is why different products are made. As you can see in the photo of combs for cats, these models have different densities of teeth and different shapes.
Why brushing is important for long-haired pets:
- This process eliminates the formation of tangles.
- Stimulates the growth of undercoat and new coat
- Cats are getting fluffier
- The comb collects lost hairs
- Dead hairs and skin particles do not collect in the animal’s stomach and do not spread throughout the apartment
Importance of the process for short-haired animals:
- The coat becomes smoother and silkier
- Skin massage occurs
- Fur and skin particles are removed using a comb.
Important! Many owners of smooth-haired pets think that they do not need to be brushed. This opinion is wrong. These animals also need similar care, like their furry relatives.
Disadvantages and contraindications
Before using a furminator for cats, you need to remember that this is a device that has contraindications and some disadvantages. It is best to consult a professional before using it on your pet. In some cases it can cause harm:
- The Furminator should not be used if the cat has lesions on the skin, as well as subcutaneous mites, dermatitis or fungal infections.
- Some “hairless” breeds do not need to be combed with a furminator (Canadian Sphynx, Don Sphynx, Peterbald, Ukrainian Levkoy, elf and others).
- In addition to short-haired breeds, there are breeds for which combing with a furminator is contraindicated due to the almost complete or complete absence of undercoat (Burmese, Laperm, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Oriental and others).
If any doubt arises, you should consult a specialist. Damage to a cat's skin takes a long time and is difficult to treat, so it is better to protect her from this trouble.
Types of combs
There are several main types of combs that are designed for different lengths of hair, different undercoats and animals with different sensitivities.
Comb options:
- A furminator comb for cats is a special device with curved thin metal teeth. Thanks to its design, the product perfectly separates hairs, does not tear them, and at the same time removes excess secretions from the fur and dead particles.
- Pukhoderka. This is a special brush with special, very thin metal teeth that comb out the undercoat without affecting the main hair. It is needed for cats with fluffy fur and abundant undercoat.
- Combs. They are suitable for smooth coats without heavy undercoat. They separate hairs well and massage the skin. There are combs with and without handles, as well as frequent and rare.
- Double sided brush. One side with metal teeth is designed to remove excess undercoat. The other one, with bristles, is designed for combing the main coat.
- Brush with bristles. The bristles can be natural or artificial. Such products are suitable for cats with any length and density of fur.
- Comb with blade. A blade is inserted into the back of the comb to remove excess hair.
- Glove-comb for cats. This is a very convenient product for owners and useful for cats. Suitable primarily for those animals that do not like to be combed. Using a mitten, tangles can be quickly and easily removed, hair of any length can be combed, and the skin can be massaged.
Advantages of the Furminator
Home treatment with a furminator has a number of advantages over combing with a regular comb and even over salon procedures:
- Animals do not swallow large amounts of fur when licking;
- Brushing with a furminator does not cause pain to the cat;
- The device allows you to remove hair from sensitive areas of the cat’s body (in the genital area, on the stomach, etc.);
- The tool not only combs the pet, but also massages its body, improving blood circulation;
- Most cats love the procedure of combing with a furminator (which cannot be said about ordinary slickers and combs);
- A good furminator pays for itself very quickly and lasts a long time;
- The cat device removes fur from clothes and furniture.
Materials for combs
Also, combs are made from different materials, which can be either natural or artificial.
- There are brushes with natural pig bristles or combs made of wood - pets will like them the most, since animals perfectly sense natural odors.
- Reviews of combs for cats show that it is for this reason that many owners prefer to choose natural materials.
- Such products are also more pleasant for the owners’ hands.
Another advantage of natural products is that they do not accumulate static electricity. This is very important when scratching cats, as it occurs more often in animals than in humans.
But such products are much more expensive and more difficult to buy. In addition, these products are the least durable. They will last about 2-3 years.
More popular options are made of plastic, plastic and metal. Such models are much cheaper and last a long time. You can find them at any pet store. But animals will like them less.
Recommendations for selection
You need to choose a comb very carefully. The procedure itself can become an extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable experience for the animal. It is important to find tools that will not cause your pet pain, but will still do their job effectively and efficiently. A consultant at a pet store will help you choose functional models. In order for the seller to guide you through the products he has, you must explain to him what breed you need a cat comb for.
- It is better to choose massage products made from natural bristles or with metal teeth. Artificial materials will become electrified and give your pet a static shock.
- Make sure of the quality of the metal - in order not to spoil the wool, purchase tools made of steel.
- Choose accessories with appropriate tooth lengths: a comb for short-haired cats can be small, while long-haired cats need combs and brushes with multi-level teeth.
- On massage models, be sure to check the flexibility and stiffness of the bristles. Too soft will not bring any benefit, and too hard will injure your pet.
- Make sure the structure is strong: test it a little and try to pull out the bristles.
- Be sure to smell the new accessory. Fluffy pets are very picky about smells, and if you take out a odorous Chinese instrument, the animal will run away from the procedure.
- Don’t rush to immediately buy products that have different types of bristles on the sides - first try single-function models.
- Make sure that the teeth on the combs and brushes are rounded - this way the combing process is guaranteed not to injure delicate skin.
- While caring for your pet’s comfort, don’t forget about yourself. It will be good if you hold the product in your hands and feel whether it is comfortable to hold and use.
What should you not buy?
To avoid wasting your money and scaring your pet away from a useful procedure, do not purchase:
- plastic combs;
- brushes with hard bristles;
- products with sharp teeth.
Based on the above recommendations, you can easily choose the accessories you need to care for your pet. The right tools will provide furry animals with a clean and beautiful coat after the combing procedure, and you will be freed from fur that sticks to everything.
How to choose a comb
When choosing a comb, you should consider several important parameters:
- The thickness of the cat's fur
- Presence of undercoat
- Length of the main hair of the coat
- Danger of fleas
- Personal preferences of the pet: how he likes to be combed and handled.
The basic choice of comb by number for cats is exactly the opposite of that of humans. If for people, the thicker the hair, the rarer the teeth or bristles of the comb should be, then for cats, the opposite is true. The thicker the fur, the more often the comb should be used. This is due to the need to constantly comb out excess hairs.
For short hair, simple bristles or sparse teeth are suitable. One type of comb will be enough. For short coats with abundant, dense undercoat, it is better to choose a model with a blade and sparse teeth.
Those with long hair will need a whole collection of hairdressing accessories. These include wide-toothed combs, slicker brushes, and mittens.
To remove fleas, it is better to use the most common comb.
Advice. An excellent method of fighting fleas is to use a wooden comb and natural essential oils.
Fleas are afraid of strong odors, but cats, on the contrary, like some essential oils. The best oils for this are mint, cedar or pine. It is important to apply only 1-3 drops to the teeth so as not to cause discomfort to the cat.
How often to use
The use of combs for cats depends again on the length of the fur, on the shedding of the animal and on whether the pet lives only at home or walks outside.
- Most often, it is necessary to comb long-haired animals with a dense undercoat, for example, Persian cats. Their fur is prone to matting. They can be combed 1-2 times a week.
- Most rarely, short-haired cats with sparse hair can be subjected to this procedure. However, it is important to remember that you still need to comb them. It is enough to treat them with a comb once a month.
It is important to accustom your cat to brushing from an early age. Then the kitten will get used to this procedure, and she will even like it. Therefore, in the future there will be no problems with caring for an adult cat.
