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Brushes and Combs: How to Choose the Right One for Your Cat
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Marty Smith, DVM
Coat & Nails
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'Choosing the right brush or comb for your cat is an important first step for even the most basic home grooming.'

Dog and cat brushes

There are many types of brushes; the most common include:

Bristle Brushes: Bristle brushes can be used on most coat types and vary according to the spacing between bristles and the length of the bristles. In general, the longer the hair coat, the more widely spaced and longer the bristles should be. Also, the coarser the hair, the stiffer those bristles need to be.

Brushes & CombsWire-Pin Brushes: Wire-pin brushes, with or without rubber-tipped ends, are the preferred choice for pets with medium to long hair and those with curly or woolly coats, such as the Rex breed.

Slicker Brushes: Slicker brushes have fine wire bristles and are especially useful for removing mats and tangles.

Fine-Toothed Combs: Combs are good for all but wiry coats. They are helpful at moving any small knots of hair. For more severe knots or mats, you need to use a matbreaker.

Rubber Curry Brushes: Brushes made from rubber are effective at massaging the skin and removing dead hair. They are excellent to use as a final follow-up to a grooming session.

When brushing or combing, be gentle and take your time. Be especially careful when removing mats or tangles. Brushing can and should be a pleasant experience for your cat as the gentle stroking feels good on your cat's skin. It does not take too many painful 'rips' through snarls, however, to make brushing a procedure your cat will try to avoid rather than invite. The best way to build trust and make this a pleasurable bonding time for both of you is to brush your cat often, preferably daily. This prevents problem mats and tangles from developing.

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