Want a happier and healthier cat? Expert shares four reasons why you should brush your feline friend daily

Woman places hand under cat's chin while brushing its head
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to the question of 'how often should I brush my cat?', you might be surprised to learn that daily grooming sessions are essential when it comes to ensuring your feline friend stays healthy. 

Whether you're looking for ways to reduce cat shedding, or are simply wanting to strengthen your bond with your kitty, daily brushes are a great way to start.

Brushing long-haired cats once a day is particularly important for keeping on top of mats and tangles, but regardless of your cat's breed, regularly grooming them offers a whole host of benefits. 

To learn more about these, the cat experts over at Tuft and Paw have put together a handy TikTok video, which you can view below. Or, if you'd prefer, you can keep reading for a full summary of each benefit...

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1. Healthier skin and coat: According to the crew at Tuft and Paw, daily grooming sessions with the best cat brush helps to keep the skin and coat in tip-top condition. "Regular brushing helps distribute the natural oils through their coat which helps prevent painful mats from forming. Your cat will feel good and their coat will look great too."

2. Hairball prevention: Do you have a long-haired kitty who's always coughing up fur balls? Daily brushing can help. "Regular brushing means they swallow less fur when they groom themselves which can lead to hairballs and digestive issues."

3. Bonding: "You may have already noticed, but most cats love to be brushed," says the folk at Tuft and Paw. "Brushing helps build a bond by tapping into their natural instincts to groom one another."

4. It helps older and less mobile cats: "Older cats, or those with mobility issues, may struggle to groom themselves effectively. They may find it challenging to reach certain areas of their body which can lead to matting, excessive shedding, and skin problems."

Regular brushing offers so many benefits when it comes to your cat's physical wellbeing, and as you can see, it's great for your relationship too!

If you have any concerns about your cat's grooming habits or are unsure about how best to handle their particular skin and coat needs, we recommend speaking to your vet who will be able to offer you the appropriate advice and guidance.

Kathryn Williams
Freelance writer

Kathryn is a freelance writer who has been a member of the PetsRadar family since it launched in 2020. Highly experienced in her field, she's driven by a desire to provide pet parents with accurate, timely, and informative content that enables them to provide their fur friends with everything they need to thrive. Kathryn works closely with vets and trainers to ensure all articles offer the most up-to-date information across a range of pet-related fields, from insights into health and behavior issues to tips on products and training. When she’s not busy crafting the perfect sentence for her features, buying guides and news pieces, she can be found hanging out with her family (which includes one super sassy cat), drinking copious amounts of Jasmine tea and reading all the books.