Guide · Cat grooming
How to groom a long-haired cat
How often to comb a long-haired cat (daily for Persians, a couple of times a week for a Maine Coon), the comb to use, and why mats must never be cut out.
Short answer
Comb a long-haired cat on a steady routine, with extra attention to the ears, armpits and backs of the legs.[1] How often depends on the coat: the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) says Persians need daily grooming while a Maine Coon only needs brushing or combing a couple of times a week.[2] A wide-toothed metal comb is the core tool. Never cut a mat out with scissors; large mats are a job for your vet or a groomer.[3]
How often: the sources differ
| Source | Which cats | How often |
|---|---|---|
| CFA | Persian and Exotic | Daily, with a wide metal comb[2] |
| CFA | Maine Coon | Brushing or combing a couple of times a week[2] |
| CFA | Dense plush coats such as the British Shorthair | Once or twice a week, with a metal-tooth comb or rubber brush[2] |
| VCA | Long, silky or curly coats | Daily[1] |
| ASPCA | Long-haired cats that live indoors | Every few days; they shed throughout the year[4] |
| Cornell | Cats in general, as hairball prevention | A quoted veterinarian recommends brushing and combing daily[5] |
These fit together better than they look. A Persian-type coat needs a comb every day. A Maine Coon can manage on a couple of sessions a week, as CFA says, but go more often if the comb starts finding tangles. Short daily sessions are fine for any long coat if your cat enjoys them.
Tools: start with a comb
VCA recommends long-toothed metal combs or brushes with offset tines for medium and long-haired cats, and stiff bristle brushes for short coats or sparse undercoats.[1] CFA notes that most exhibitors and professional groomers use combs rather than metal brushes, and that a wide-toothed metal comb helps pick apart mats.[2]
| Tool | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Wide-toothed, long-toothed metal comb | The everyday tool for long coats, and for picking apart small tangles[2][1] |
| Brush with offset tines | An alternative for medium and long coats[1] |
| Rubber brush or metal-tooth comb | Dense plush coats such as the British Shorthair[2] |
| Stiff bristle brush | Short coats or sparse undercoats[1] |
| Scissors | Never for mats[3] |
We don't list a cat comb or cat-specific brush yet: nothing in our catalog meets our bar. When you shop, look for a sturdy metal comb with long teeth, wide-spaced on at least part of its length, that you can hold comfortably for a few minutes at a time.
A routine that works
- Pick a calm time, when your cat is settled and relaxed, and keep the first sessions to a minute or two.
- Start where your cat enjoys being touched, then move to the areas it is less sure about.
- Comb in sections, working through the coat rather than skimming the top. Give the ears, armpits and backs of the legs extra time; VCA singles these out.[1]
- When the comb catches, stop pulling. Hold the hair at its base, between the tangle and the skin, and pick at the edge of the tangle with the wide end of the comb. CFA says a wide-toothed metal comb helps pick apart mats.[2]
- Leave tight mats alone. If a tangle will not loosen, or sits right against the skin, stop. It is a job for your vet or a groomer, not more combing.[3]
- Reward and stop early. End while your cat is still relaxed, not when it has had enough.
- Check the claws while you're there. Cornell's method is to gently squeeze the paw to extend the claw and trim along an angle that removes the hook at the end, avoiding the quick. ASPCA suggests a trim every ten days to two weeks.[6][4] If you have never done it, Cornell suggests asking your vet for a lesson.[6]
Never hold down a struggling cat to finish. AVSAB warns that routines built on full physical restraint are unsafe for most owners, very stressful for the pet and can make things much worse.[7]
Mats
VCA's long-haired cat advice is unambiguous: never use scissors to cut a mat off. Mats sit close to the skin, and it is easy to cut the skin, even without seeing it, causing severe injury and pain. If your cat won't tolerate mat removal, the mats are large or widespread, or you are afraid of hurting your cat, see a veterinarian or groomer; vets can sedate a cat so mats are removed without pain.[3] See cat mats: what not to do.
Hairballs
Cornell notes that long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons may be at greater risk of hairballs than short-haired breeds, and its quoted veterinarian recommends brushing and combing daily.[5] Cornell also says a cat that is lethargic, refuses to eat for more than a day or two, or has repeated unproductive retching or vomiting should be examined by a veterinarian without delay.[5]
Bathing and drying
Most healthy adult cats are fastidious groomers and rarely require a bath, according to VCA.[1] If you do bathe a long-haired cat, ASPCA suggests drying it in a towel in a warm place, and using a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting only if the cat doesn't mind the noise.[4]
Next
Questions
How often should I comb my long-haired cat?
It depends on the coat. CFA says Persians and Exotics need daily grooming and a Maine Coon only a couple of times a week; VCA recommends daily brushing for long, silky or curly coats, and ASPCA says every few days for long-haired indoor cats.[2][1][4]
Should I use a comb or a brush on a long-haired cat?
Start with a comb. CFA says most exhibitors and professional groomers use combs rather than metal brushes, and VCA recommends long-toothed metal combs or brushes with offset tines for medium and long coats.[2][1]
Can I cut a mat out of my cat's fur?
No. VCA says never to use scissors on a mat, because mats sit close to the skin and it is easy to cut the skin without seeing it. See cat mats: what not to do.[3]
Does brushing help with hairballs?
Cornell notes that long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons may be at greater risk of hairballs, and its quoted veterinarian recommends brushing and combing daily.[5]