Which comb to choose for your cat

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There are different types of combs. So different that the uninitiated cat owner's eyes run wild - what to choose? And you need to choose what suits your cat. The whole difference is in the length of the coat and the presence/absence of undercoat. In addition, there are universal combs and combs for specific body parts.

Slicker, aka slicker:

The most cruel tool for cats. Remember: the bent teeth of a slicker have a strictly limited use: to lift the fur on the collar, pants and tail. You can’t use it constantly, as it tears out the undercoat, but does not comb through the fur, much less tangles. Not suitable for short-haired dogs - sharp teeth injure the skin. If possible, choose a slicker brush with blunt or ball-protected teeth.

Should I brush my cat?

Combing the fur is a mandatory procedure for caring for a cat, eliminating a number of unpleasant problems.

Why is it important to brush your pets:

this procedure speeds up the molting process;
eliminates the appearance of downed tangles;
reduces the number of house cleanings to collect lost hair;
brushing is a pleasant massage procedure for a cat, increasing blood circulation and promoting the growth of a beautiful and shiny coat;
during the procedure, the owner can conduct a preventive examination of the integument to identify various damage to the animal’s skin and fleas;
By licking the fur after combing, the cat will not swallow hairs, which will eliminate problems with the health of the digestive system.

In order for the grooming procedure to bring maximum benefit to the cat, you need to properly comb the fur using a special tool.

Colt cutters:

For different lengths of wool, there are different lengths of teeth-blades. Using a mat cutter, you need to comb the wool in the place of the mat, pointing the blades down.

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Types of combs for cats

Cats are combed with special accessories designed for combing out animal hair. The range of pet products includes a wide variety of grooming products - furminators, brushes, combs, slickers, combs, etc. Let's take a closer look at what function each tool performs, which will allow you to make the right choice when purchasing.

Comb and comb

For initial combing of the fur, use a comb with frequent or rare teeth or a rake comb, which provides gentle care.

You can comb the fur with a comb with teeth of different levels. Such devices are convenient for caring for semi-long-haired and long-haired cats.

To care for short hair, you can choose a flea comb with fine teeth.

Mitten-glove

A special accessory for massaging the skin and removing dead hair is a silicone mitten with short or long teeth of different frequencies. Easy to use, fixed on the owner's hand. An excellent option for brushing cats that resist the use of other grooming accessories.

Cat brush

To comb out thick fur of different lengths, special brushes with metal teeth are used. They can also be used to carefully untangle matted fur.

For massage procedures, you can use a brush with natural bristles. This accessory is also necessary for distributing and removing powder and dry shampoo from cleaned animal fur.

Pukhoderka

The most popular accessory for combing is a slicker brush. It is equipped with thin metal teeth. It has a slight bend in shape, providing comfortable carding. This accessory can be used no more than 2 times a week during the molting period, and the rest of the time one procedure every 7-10 days is enough. You should not use a slicker to untangle tangles.

Furminator

The Furminator is a handy cat grooming tool with a small rake and fine teeth. There are two types - deluxe and classic, distinguished by the width of the ridges and design. They can have short or long teeth. The furminator is selected individually. For small kittens, accessories with a comb width of up to 3.2 cm are optimal. For adult cats weighing within 5 kg - 4-4.5 cm. For large animals, furminators with a comb width of 6.8 cm are suitable.

The Furminator should not be used for grooming if the cat has skin diseases, wounds or scratches on the body.

How to properly comb a cat

Caring for the animal's fur is carried out according to certain rules. Before the procedure, examine your cat's skin. If there are wounds and other damage to the integument, you will have to abandon combing for a while, since when performing this procedure, infections can get into the wound, causing inflammatory processes.

How to comb a cat:

At the first stage, combing is performed using a comb or comb with rare and frequent teeth. Before the procedure, you can slightly moisten the fur, which will prevent the hairs from flying away.
Hard hairs and soft undercoat are combed in the direction opposite to the growth of the coat, from the tail to the head.
The tummy and panties are combed while lying on the back. If the cat resists, one of the household members can hold the pet in a standing position.
Before combing, you need to remove stray fur, otherwise the procedure will cause pain in your pet.
At the second stage, a double-sided brush or mitten with soft bristles is used to remove remaining hairs with the effect of massaging the skin.

Upon completion of the procedure, the owner can wet his hand in water and stroke the animal’s fur several times. You need to do this until there are no more small hairs left on your hand.

How often to brush your cat

The recommended frequency of grooming procedures for short-haired cats is 1-2 times a week.

Animals with long hair need to be combed at least 2 times a week. During the molting period, this procedure can be carried out daily or at intervals of 1 day.

Selection rules

Despite your pet’s individual preferences, there are several important rules to consider when choosing. Of course, the price of cat brushes plays a role. It depends on the brand, the material from which the product is made, the quality and convenience of the combing device itself.

Read here How to train a kitten to use a litter box - correctly, quickly and easily train a cat to use a litter box (125 photos)

Next, it’s worth assessing the condition of your pet’s fur – is everything too shabby, are there any problems in the form of tangles and others.

You should definitely take into account the length and thickness of the animal’s fur. For short-haired breeds, some types of combs will simply not be relevant.

The last thing you need to understand is the purpose of this purchase. If the comb is specifically for fleas, but the cat has no trace of them, wasting money will be unnecessary. But a tool that will help a purr care for its fur is a useful acquisition.

Affection and benefit

The main problem when brushing a pet for the first time is its rejection of the useful procedure. How sophisticated are the owners of four-legged meowing creatures trying to accustom them to such a joint activity!

And here is a good option - a comb glove for cats. It seems like the owner is stroking and caressing the animal, and unnecessary, excess hairs are collected on the soft rubber spikes of the glove.

This device has already been appreciated by many representatives of the cat breed and, of course, purring lovers.

Article information

This article was co-authored by. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He has been working at the same animal clinic in his hometown for over 20 years.

In other languages:

Español: cuidar las patas de un gato, Italiano: Prendersi Cura delle Zampe del Gatto, Français: prendre soin des pattes d'un chat, Deutsch: Die Pflege von Katzenpfoten

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Why are they?

Cat combs for combing fur were invented by man to keep a pet’s coat impeccably clean, beautiful and in order. And if a cat is taught from childhood to the procedure of combing (and also washing his eyes and cleaning his ears) with affection and play, then he will really love this care. And it will even ask itself!

But if you don’t teach it, then don’t be surprised... by such a reaction:

This “brush” will “comb” anyone’s hair

Modern devices

Not so long ago, a device called a furminator comb for cats was invented in America and is now becoming popular almost all over the world. It is a hybrid of a comb and a trimmer.

The furminator is intended for combing out the undercoat. It is recommended to use it 2-3 per month.

Nozzles with blades are different and are selected depending on the length and type of the animal’s fur.

Features of combing a cat depending on the breed

Cats of different breeds require special care. Of course, in many respects the rules for combing are determined by the type of fur and its length. However, there are some nuances to this procedure, taking into account the specific breed of cat.

Grooming a Scottish cat

Scottish representatives need to be combed first along the growth of the fur, then in the opposite direction, which will eliminate the possibility of damage to the undercoat.

To care for the coat, you will need a comb with sparse teeth. After combing with this accessory, we move on to using a furminator or a brush with natural bristles.

Grooming a British cat

British cats have a dense undercoat. During the winter season, combing the fur is done at least 1-2 times a week. Such care will prevent the formation of tangles.

To comb your British hair, you can use a comb with rounded metal teeth or densely set long ones. After the procedure, dead hairs can be removed with a damp hand by stroking.

Representatives of this breed should not be brushed with a slicker brush, as this will spoil the attractiveness of the undercoat.

Many cats love brushing their fur. If your pet is categorically against such attention, accustom him gradually, rewarding him with his favorite treat after combing. Over time, the cat will get used to it and stop resisting.

How to choose a comb for a cat

When choosing an accessory for combing, take into account the breed of the cat and the length of its fur. Combs designed for long-haired animals are not suitable for short-haired pets. The first will require more careful care, so you will have to buy several convenient tools.

How to comb a short-haired cat

Cats with close-fitting short fur need a comb with medium-frequency metal teeth for grooming. You can periodically care for the fluffy undercoat using a slicker. After combing, massage procedures, which require a special brush that smoothes the coat, will not interfere.

How to groom a cat with long hair

Cats with a rich coat require more careful care. Its main thing is to regularly comb the coat using a comb with teeth of different frequencies and lengths. At the second stage, small missed hairs are removed using a brush with natural bristles.