Why you shouldn't skip brushing your cat

His Majesty spends hours a day grooming himself, and he would like you to know that he is perfect. So why should you pick up a brush? Because a little help from you prevents hairballs, painful mats and hidden health problems. Watch the short film above, then read the details.

Five good reasons to brush your cat

1. Fewer hairballs

Every time your cat grooms, their rough tongue collects loose hair, and most of it gets swallowed. Some passes through, some comes back up as a hairball (usually on your favourite rug, usually at 3 a.m.). Brushing removes that loose hair before it's swallowed. It makes the biggest difference during moulting season.

2. No painful mats

Mats are tight knots of dead and living hair. They pull on the skin every time your cat moves, they can hurt a lot, and skin problems can develop underneath. They form most easily in long-haired cats, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, on the belly and on the back of the legs.

3. Some cats can't do it alone

Older cats, overweight cats and cats with stiff or painful joints often can't reach their back, hips or tail. Those are the cats who need your help most. A cat whose coat suddenly looks greasy, scruffy or matted may be in pain or unwell, so mention it to your vet.

4. A free health check

Regular brushing is the easiest way to notice changes early: lumps and bumps, fleas or flea dirt, scabs, sore spots, dandruff, or areas your cat doesn't want touched.

5. Less hair everywhere, and a closer bond

Brushing means less fur on your sofa and clothes, and for some people with mild cat allergies it may reduce what floats around the house. Many cats also come to enjoy it as calm, one-to-one time.

How often should you brush?

• Long-haired cats: every day, or at least every other day.
• Short-haired cats: about once a week, more during moulting.
• Older, overweight or arthritic cats: more often, gently, focusing on the areas they can't reach.

Tools

• Short coats: a soft brush or a rubber grooming mitt.
• Long coats: a wide-toothed comb for tangles, then a slicker or soft brush.

Whatever you use, it should feel pleasant. Try it on your own arm first: if it scratches you, it will scratch your cat.

How to brush without a fight

1. Pick a calm moment, for example after a meal or a play session, when your cat is relaxed.
2. Start where your cat loves being touched: cheeks, chin and back. Leave the belly and legs for later (or never, for some cats).
3. Brush in the direction of the fur, with gentle strokes.
4. Keep it short. Two or three minutes is plenty at first. Build up slowly.
5. Stop before your cat has had enough. Tail flicking, skin twitching, ears turning back, growling or trying to leave all mean "that's enough for today".
6. Reward. Treats, praise, play. Treats help. A lot.

Found a mat? Never use scissors

Never cut a mat out with scissors. A cat's skin is very thin, and mats sit tight against it, so it's extremely easy to cut the skin without seeing it.

• A small tangle can sometimes be teased apart gently with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb, holding the hair at the base so you don't pull on the skin.
• For bigger or tight mats, ask your vet or a professional cat groomer. They use clippers, not scissors. Some long-haired cats with frequent mats do better with a trim, such as a "lion cut".

When to see your vet

• Your cat brings up hairballs often, despite regular brushing.
• Your cat coughs or gags but nothing comes up. That can be a sign of asthma, not hairballs (see our guide to asthma in cats).
• The coat suddenly changes: greasy, dull, patchy, very scruffy, or full of mats.
• You find lumps, sores, fleas or itchy skin.

Fluffy cats like our Ivan (now happily adopted) are living proof that a few minutes with a brush keeps both the cat and the rug happy.