Brush brush brush!!!

Spring is definitely on its way now, and all the cats I go to visit are shedding hair madly!! Bella has a very thick fluffy coat, so come this time of year, I'm forever sweeping up cat hairs, and now Dylan's joined in.

Now, Bella has always loved her brush, and we're getting Dylan used to it too - although he sees it as more of a plaything, something to be bitten and chewed on!! Through the winter our brushing regime has slackened off a little, but we're now back to daily brushes. And so needed!!!

Brushing is great for so many reasons. First of all, it gathers up all the loose hairs, so that when cats groom they're not having to swallow too many. So fewer fur balls. Secondly, it's great for their skin. It will stimulate the blood vessels under the surface and also encourage production of sebum, which keeps the skin and coat naturally moisturised. Spending winter mostly indoors, in a warm, dry house means that the skin can get very dry. I've noticed that Bella has a lot of dandruff at the moment.

And thirdly - and what I think is the best reason - it's the most lovely way to bond with your cat again. When they love being brushed, they'll love you forever. Just looking at the big smile on Bella's face while I'm brushing her is worth a thousand words.

It's a good idea to get your cat used to being brushed from an early age - that way they get very used to it, and look forward to their regular brushing sessions. But some don't like it - and it's likely to be because of the way a brush has been wielded in their past. If they've been forced, held down, it will have bad feelings for them. Such a shame when this has the potential to be so pleasurable for them.

But even then, I find it's easy to get a cat used to it, and to love being brushed. If any of the cats I look after have brushes, I always give them a good brush when I visit. Some are a little anxious, so it's important it's done on their terms. A good way to do this is just to present the brush to them, put it near their face. Let them sniff it, and come towards it. Chances are that they will then rub their faces in the bristles. You know how cats love the sides of their faces and their ears being rubbed? Well this is the same.

Just keep holding the brush, don't actively brush, just let them get used to this, and build up nice feelings about the brush. It might take a few sessions just doing this, but in time you'll be able to gently brush their body. It's important though that this is still gentle, and if they show signs of being uncomfortable with it, just let them rub their face on it again. With cats patience in most things does pay off, so take this on your cat's terms. Eventually they'll come to love their brush, and may even do what Bella does, and shout at me for her daily brushing!!!