Cat Grooming: How to Brush a Cat that Hates it

Grooming is a really important habit to build with your cat, especially if they have long fur, but we know it’s not always their favourite activity! There are a few simple ways to help make the experience more comfortable for them, like letting them get used to the brush first, using gentle, calm strokes, taking extra care around sensitive spots, and rewarding them with plenty of praise.

A regular grooming routine doesn’t just keep their coat looking lovely, it also helps prevent matting and makes sure they stay happy and healthy. Grooming cats removes dead skin cells, dust and loose hairs and it can even boost the skin’s circulation.

It also allows you to check in on their wellbeing; your cat’s coat is a good indicator of their overall health, and you can check for any sore patches or parasites at the same time.
Some cats will happily accept being groomed and even enjoy it! But, for many pet owners this is not the case. Often cats are uncooperative when it comes to grooming, and some will do anything to avoid it!

What can you do if your cat refuses to let you go anywhere near them with a grooming brush? Here are our top tips for cat grooming.

Before you start your cat grooming journey, it’s important to understand why your cat may not like being brushed.

Possible reasons include:

Fear: If your cat has had a bad experience of being brushed in the past, they may be frightened of it.

Not enjoying being handled: Your cat may not like the experience of being held and therefore dislikes grooming sessions.

Over-stimulation: If the grooming session is too long, your cat may become irritated and over-stimulated.

Discomfort: Grooming can be painful for cats if they have a lot of tangles or a matted coat.

Whatever the reason, if your cat has formed a negative association with grooming, then it’s important to change your approach. Here are some ways to help achieve this.

Building a more positive association with the cat brush can go a long way towards changing their attitude towards grooming.

In the beginning, this can be as simple as encouraging your cat to interact with the grooming brush. Reward them if they sniff it or start rubbing against the bristles.

When you progress to brushing, start with areas your cat likes to be petted. For example, over the back, around the base of the tail, between the ears and under the chin. Don’t hold them down, and simply use the brush as you would your hand when stroking them.

You could also try using textured brushing gloves to start with, to make the experience even more akin to being stroked.

Short, frequent sessions are best.

As soon as you see your cat showing signs of irritation – such as tail flicking, twitching, dilated pupils, flattened ears – end the session. This way your cat will hopefully remember the pleasant part of the experience, rather than recalling wanting to escape.

You can reduce feelings of stress your cat experiences during grooming using calming products, such as Feliway.

Feliway works by mimicking the natural pheromones that cats will leave behind when they rub their faces against furniture and other things in the home. These are associated with safety and security so it can help your cat to feel less anxious if they can sense pheromones in their environment.

There are lots of different kinds of cat brushes out there. Take the time to explore which is the right one for your cat.

If your cat has matted fur, always use a specialised dematting comb. Never try cutting matted fur with scissors as you risk cutting your cat’s skin. If matting is severe, speak to your vet for advice.

Slicker brushes are good for pulling out dead hair and breaking down mats in long-haired cats. It’s important to be gentle when using a slicker brush as they have fine, tightly spaced wires that can cause discomfort if used too vigorously.

Pin brushes look the most similar to human brushes. They have long metal bristles with tips to prevent them from scratching your pet, making them great for pets with sensitive skin. They are also good to use at the end of the grooming process to finish and fluff a coat.

Bristle brushes are best for use on short-haired cats, especially those that shed a lot. They are made with clusters of tightly packed bristles and will remove dead and loose fur. This cat brush is double sided, so you get the best of both worlds when it comes to pin and bristle brushes.

Stripping combs or shedding rakes have a protected blade designed to remove unwanted undercoat hair near your cat’s skin. You should use one with pins that roughly match your cat’s hair length.

Similar to stripping combs, a deshedding tool works by reaching deep beneath the top coat and removing hair from the undercoat. This is a great way to reduce shedding by up to 99%.

The KONG ZoomGroom has a rubbery texture that will act like a magnet to loose hairs. It also massages your cat at the same time as brushing them. This helps to stimulate the blood vessels and distribute natural oils to promote coat health.

If your cat’s coat is particularly tangled, a grooming spray can help the brush to glide through fur more easily.

If your cat really doesn’t like being brushed, there are some alternatives you may want to consider.

Cat grooming gloves or grooming mitts help your cat to feel that they are being petted rather than groomed. They can be a great, sneaky way of getting in some grooming time without your cat realising.

You could try setting up a self-grooming station in your home. These feature flexible brushes for your cat to rub against and often contain catnip to entice your pet. Some can be adhered to flat walls or corner surfaces. Self-groomers are a nice easy way to keep your cat’s fur healthy without your cat even realising!

These handy wipes are designed to remove loose surface hair and clean your cat’s coat at the same time. They can reduce potential for hairballs without brushing.

As much as we love them, it has to be said that our feline friends can be a little stubborn! Introduce them to brushes slowly and in a positive way before grooming them properly. It may take a while, but building up those positive associations is key to getting your cat comfortable with brushing. With the right tools and a bit of patience, cat grooming will soon go from being a chore to quality time with your pet!

The amount of grooming your cat needs can vary quite a bit depending on their coat type and even their lifestyle or health.

Short‑haired cats

Short haired cats are usually lower maintenance, but they still benefit from a quick brush once or twice a week. It helps reduce shedding, keeps their coat shiny, and supports healthy skin.

Long haired cats

Long haired breeds typically need daily brushing to prevent tangles and matting. Their fluffy coats can trap loose fur more easily, so little and often is the best approach.

Some cats need a bit of extra help, such as:

• Older cats who may struggle to groom themselves properly.
• Overweight cats who can’t reach all areas comfortably.
• Cats with thick undercoats that shed heavily in spring and autumn.
• Cats prone to hairballs, as regular grooming helps reduce how much fur they swallow.
• Cats with skin conditions where gentle, routine brushing supports coat health.

If you keep grooming light, positive, and part of your usual bonding time, your cat will be much more likely to enjoy it or at least tolerate it with dignity!