• The length of your cat's hair
• The ability of the cat to groom herself
• The amount your cat is shedding
• How much your cat likes it

In general, cats with long hair need much more frequent grooming, often on a daily basis. Cats with short hair can be brushed several times a week.

Cats who are overweight or ill, often have less ability or desire to groom themselves. Older cats who may have arthritis may also tend to groom less. These cats should be groomed on a more frequent basis.

Cats do not shed the same amount of hair all year. At those times when your cat is shedding less, especially if she's a 'shorthair,' you may brush or comb your cat and remove very little hair. Other times, it may seem to come out in buckets. The more a cat is shedding, the more often you need to groom her. This will also greatly decrease her risk of developing hairballs.

Some cats love to be groomed, and this is an excellent way to spend time with your cat. Other cats seem to despise brushes and combs, so they can be groomed on a more 'as needed' basis. When I was a child, we actually had a Siamese cat who loved to be vacuumed! Whenever we started up the vacuum cleaner, we would have to vacuum Boots first, since he layed down right in front of it. After we vacuumed him with the small brush attachment, we were free to do the rest of the house!