Autumn moult: your cat is shedding a second cat
Autumn arrives and hair turns up even in your coffee. How to brush your cat mid-moult so less fur ends up around the house and less gets swallowed during grooming.
If your dark clothes have lately started to look like angora, you're not alone. Many cats renew their coat as the seasons change, and in autumn they get their winter coat ready. In indoor cats the moult can be less pronounced but spread out across the year. The result is the same: hair, lots of hair.
Why brushing helps
Cats groom themselves, and they do it very well. But as they lick themselves they swallow some of the loose hair, and in the middle of a moult that can mean more hairballs. Brushing removes that hair before it ends up in their stomach or on your sofa.
Brushing is also a good moment to check their skin and coat, and to strengthen your bond if your cat enjoys it.
To each coat its brush
- Short-haired cats: a rubber grooming glove or a soft-bristled brush is usually enough.
- Long-haired cats: a wide-toothed comb for tangles and a brush for loose hair.
- Deshedding brushes: very effective for removing undercoat, but use them gently and don't keep going over the same spot.
- With long hair, check the areas where knots form: behind the ears, the armpits and the belly.
How to do it without getting scratched
Start with very short sessions at a time when they're relaxed, for example after a meal. Brush in the direction of the fur, starting with the areas they like most, such as the back or cheeks, and leave the more sensitive areas until last.
If they get fed up, stop. One pleasant minute a day is better than a long session they remember as a fight. Pair brushing with strokes, a calm voice and, if they like it, a treat.
During the moult, brushing every day or nearly every day makes all the difference, especially for long-haired cats.
When to see the vet
If you see bald patches, red skin or scabs, if they scratch a lot or if they often bring up hairballs, see your vet. And don't try to cut out knots lying close to the skin with scissors: it's easy to hurt them, so it's better to let a professional take a look.
At Petuki you'll find brushes, combs and grooming gloves for short- and long-haired cats.