When to Groom Your Cat

Most people look this up after they’ve found a knot behind an ear, noticed more fur on the couch, or realised their cat is no longer keeping up with their own coat. It’s rarely about “looking pretty”. It’s about comfort, skin health, hairballs, and catching small problems early.

The best time to groom a cat is when they’re calm and receptive, and before tangles turn into tight mats. A few quiet minutes, done often, tends to work better than long sessions that end in a struggle.^{1, 2}

When is the best time to groom your cat?

There isn’t one perfect hour on the clock, but there are predictable moments when grooming usually goes smoothly:

• When your cat is relaxed — after a nap, during a sunny windowsill lull, or when they’ve chosen to settle near you. Calm bodies make for calm brushing.
• In short, regular bursts — a minute or two daily is often better tolerated than a long weekly session, especially for cats that are unsure about grooming.¹
• During shedding periods — many cats drop more coat seasonally, and a little extra brushing helps remove loose hair before it’s swallowed and becomes a hairball problem.^{2, 3}

If your cat is already tense (tail flicking, skin twitching, ears turning back), don’t push through. Stop early and try again later. For many cats, finishing while things are still pleasant is what teaches them the routine is safe.¹

Signs your cat needs grooming (right now)

Some clues are obvious. Others are small, easy-to-miss changes that quietly build:

• Mats, knots, or “clumped” fur, often under the armpits, behind the ears, along the belly, and around the hindquarters.
• More shedding than usual, with loose coat lifting away in your hands when you pat them.
• Dandruff, scurf, or a greasy feel to the coat.
• Your cat is grooming less effectively (common in older cats or cats with sore joints), leaving the coat dull or unkempt.⁴
• Flea dirt or parasites spotted during a comb-through.^{1, 4}

Severe matting isn’t a home job with scissors. Cats’ skin is thin, and it’s easy to cut them. If you can’t gently work a mat loose, speak with your vet about safe clipping options.¹

How often should you groom your cat?

Think of grooming as coat-type maintenance, not a universal schedule:

• Short-haired cats: about once a week is usually enough.
• Medium- and long-haired cats: daily grooming is commonly recommended to prevent tangles and mats, especially in friction areas (armpits, behind ears, inner legs).⁴

Adjust based on the individual cat. Older cats, cats carrying extra weight, and cats with arthritis may need more help because they can’t reach or twist the way they used to.⁴

Tools and products that actually help

The right tool feels gentle on your hand first. If it feels scratchy to you, it’s likely scratchy on your cat.¹

Core kit (most households)

• Grooming glove or soft rubber brush for short coats and cats that dislike bristles.
• Wide-tooth comb for medium/long coats and for finding tangles close to the skin.
• Slicker brush (used lightly) to lift loose coat and begin working on minor tangles.
• Flea comb for checking around the neck and base of the tail.
• Cat nail trimmers (small, sharp, purpose-made).

Shampoo (only when it’s needed)

Most cats don’t need routine baths. Bathing is usually best avoided unless your cat is genuinely dirty, has something in the coat that would be unsafe to lick off, or your vet has recommended a medicated wash.¹

How to groom a long-haired cat (without making it a battle)

Long coats tangle quietly. Once mats tighten, they pull at the skin and can become painful. Daily, gentle sessions prevent most of the drama later.⁴

• Start with fingers to find knots. Separate small tangles by hand before bringing in a comb.
• Use a wide-tooth comb close to the skin, working in small sections. Keep the comb moving in the direction the coat lies, not against it.
• Take special care in friction zones: behind the ears, under the forelegs, the belly, and around the hind legs.
• Keep sessions short and stop before irritation builds. Regular, brief grooming tends to be better tolerated than infrequent long sessions.¹

If your cat has mats you can’t gently loosen with a comb, don’t pull and don’t cut. Speak with your vet about safe clipping and whether sedation is needed for welfare and safety.¹

How to groom a short-haired cat

Short coats still shed, and the loose hair has to go somewhere. Brushing once a week removes dead coat and gives you a clear look at the skin underneath.⁴

• Brush along the coat from head to tail with a soft brush or grooming glove.
• Use a flea comb occasionally, especially if your cat goes outdoors.
• Keep it brief. For many cats, a few minutes is plenty.

Nail trimming: when and how often

Check your cat’s nails weekly. Trim only as needed, taking off just the sharp tips and staying well clear of the quick (the blood vessel and nerve). Scratching posts help, but they don’t always keep nails at a comfortable length on their own.¹

Grooming senior cats: go slower, go softer

Age changes the way a cat carries themselves. Stiffness, arthritis, and reduced flexibility can make self-grooming patchy, which is why older cats often need more help even if their coat is short.⁴

• Choose softer tools (grooming gloves, soft bristles) and use a lighter touch.¹
• Shorten sessions and groom more often.
• Watch for soreness. If your cat flinches when you brush a certain area, stop and speak with your vet.

A quick word on teeth (often forgotten, still part of grooming)

If your cat will tolerate it, tooth brushing is ideally done daily. Even imperfect brushing, done regularly, is better than nothing. Focus on the outer cheek-side surfaces, where plaque tends to build up fastest.^{5, 6, 7}

Final thoughts

The “best time” to groom your cat is when they’re calm, and before the coat gets ahead of you. Keep it small. Keep it gentle. Let the routine become a quiet, familiar check-in — the sort of care that doesn’t announce itself, but changes everything over time.^{1, 4}

References

1. RSPCA Pet Insurance (Australia) — Grooming your cat: Here’s what you should be doing
2. RSPCA Knowledgebase — How often do I need to groom my cat?
3. Animal Welfare League Queensland — Cat behaviour & care (Brushing)
4. ASPCA — Cat Grooming Tips
5. Veterinary Oral Health Council — Brushing
6. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) — 2019 Dental Care Guidelines (Recommending home oral hygiene and products)
7. PetMD — How Often Should You Brush Dog Teeth and Cat Teeth?
8. VCA Animal Hospitals — Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth