You watch your cat groom itself all day it seems, especially if it has long hair. All cats need some grooming to keep their coats in good shape. Long-haired cats may need some help to remove extra hair, dander and tangles. Here are a few useful tools and reasons why good grooming is essential to your cat’s good health.

Constantly matted fur can be very painful for your cat as well as lead to health and behavioral issues. Matted fur can make it hard for your cat to move and walk properly as well as hide dirt, bugs and feces Scratching at it may tear the skin and cause infections. To help prevent these issues, start grooming your cat from the first day you bring them home. Ask your breeder or shelter what tools they used to keep its long coat healthy. Make sure your cat is comfortable and use their name in an upbeat tone during the grooming process. Offer a small treat during grooming to encourage them to behave. It will also make the session more enjoyable for them and you.

It is essential to invest the right brushes for your cat’s long hair. A bristle brush will distribute the natural oils on your cat’s skin which helps keep their coat shiny as well as remove loose hair. The fine wire bristles of a slicker brush are very helpful for long-haired cats. They can remove any tangles in the topcoat and loose hair from the undercoat which contributes to matting. A long tooth shedder brush will also work well on a long coat or cat that sheds more. Pet wipes are also helpful to keep their coat clean between grooming sessions and bathing.

Here are some good grooming tools to consider for your pet.

Earthbath Fragrance Free Wipes – These alcohol and soap free wipes, wont dry out your cat’s skin and are also fragrance-free. They work well for removing loose dirt from your cat’s face, ears and paws and are great to use between baths.

Four Paws Ultimate Touch Pro 2 in 1 Slicker Brush with Shed N Blade – With a shedding blade for removing dead hair from the topcoat and wire bristles for cleaning the undercoat, this slicker brush helps keep their coat healthy. This brush works well for cats and dogs.

LeSalon Signature Curved Cat Slicker Brush – The angled wire bristles help make grooming easier and is suitable for both long and short haired cats. It effectively removes dead hair promoting a healthy coat.

FURminator deShedding Tool – This tool removes loose undercoat hair without damaging the topcoat. It promotes a healthy coat while reducing shedding. During grooming, this tool helps reduce the amount of dander released into the air while bringing out the natural oil on your cat’s skin.

UGroom Bristle and Pin Cat Brush Combo – Stainless steel pins remove loose dead hair and clean out the undercoat while the boar bristles redistribute oils to bring out the natural shine in your cat’s coat.

Be sure to check into the tools recommended to you. Purchase those that you feel the most comfortable with. Using a combination of brushing and bathing, may help keep your cats shedding to a minimum. Starting when your cat is young will ease your stress as well as your new kittens and leave them with a healthy, shiny coat.