Cat Grooming

Brushes, clippers and coat care

Grooming is mostly about reducing what ends up on your furniture and your clothes. How much you need to do depends entirely on coat length — a short-haired cat may need a weekly once-over, while a long-haired cat needs several sessions a week to avoid mats.

The tool matters. A deshedding brush removes loose undercoat before it sheds onto the sofa, while a fine comb is for finding the small tangles that turn into mats if left. For claws, scissor-style clippers give more control than guillotine types, and a safety guard or LED guide helps you see the quick — the pink vein inside the nail — before you cut into it. Trim little and often rather than taking a lot off at once.

• Deshedding brush for undercoat, comb for tangles.
• Trim claws every two to three weeks; take small amounts.
• Never cut into the quick — stop short of the pink.
• Build up gradually with treats if your cat is nervous.

Two of the most popular tools here are the LED nail scissors and the gravity-push safety clippers.