Do Short Hair Cats Need Brushing?

Your cat spends at least five hours a day grooming and cleaning themselves, and only long hair usually mats, so there is surely no need to brush a short haired cat. Right?

Nope! There are so many reasons why it is beneficial to your cats well being to brush them regularly!

Brushing reduces shedding. This means less hairballs- both the stereotypical kind that comes up after cleaning themselves, as well as the wispy ones around your house and on your furniture (and clothing!)

Removing loose hair allows for better body temperature regulation! A build up of shed undercoat can cause your pet to overheat in the hot months, but in the cool months removing that loose hair also helps to keep them warm. Clumps of loose undercoat that has not been brushed off allows the air to contact their skin directly. Cats hair is an amazing natural insulator against both heat and cold if kept in good condition!

Regular grooming helps you to keep an eye on your cats overall skin and coat health. Use grooming time to check them over for any irregularities like new lumps and bumps, hair loss, wounds, or parasites such as fleas, ticks, or ear mites.
Brushing helps to distribute natural skin oils, preventing flakes and keeping their coat shiny and smooth.

Time spent brushing your cat can help to deepen the bond between the two of you

Frequent grooming helps desensitize the cat to being handled, especially if started at a young age!

At a minimum, it’s best to brush a short haired cat at least 1 time a week. You can brush more often if your cat tolerates it. Since cats love routine, it’s nice to work brushing into your regular daily schedule for your cat or kitten.

So how do I brush my cat?

1. Make sure your cat is comfortable and in a relaxed mood. You may need to wait for the right of time!

2. Start with the areas your cat likes to be pet and brush gently. Typically on the top of their back near the base of their tail or near the base of their neck is a good starting point. Their sides, stomach, tail, and legs, are usually more sensitive and should be avoided at first.

3. Brush with the grain of hair and concentrate on one area at a time. As you brush you can slowly make your way toward their more sensitive areas. Don’t try to move how they are laying or hold them down.

4. Constantly check for warning signs that your cat is no longer relaxed. Ears being pinned back or their tail flicking are sure signs they may nip at you.

5. You want brushing to be a positive and enjoyable experience. So it is best to take a break even before your cat becomes over stimulated or tired of being brushed. Make sure to end each brushing session with a little catnip or silvervine, some play, or another special treat so they start to associate being brushed with fun and food.

Even if you are only able to brush for a few minutes at a time it’s still beneficial and you can always build up to longer as your cat begins to enjoy your grooming sessions!