How Often Should You Brush Your Cat? A Coat-Type Guide
Short-haired, long-haired, curly, and hairless cats all have very different grooming needs. This guide sets out how often to brush each coat type, which tools suit each, why brushing beats hairballs and mats, and the warning signs that a coat change means a vet visit.
Quick answer
How often you brush depends on the coat: short-haired cats need brushing about once a week, long-haired cats daily, curly-coated rexes gently and occasionally, and hairless breeds need skin wiping rather than brushing. Regular brushing removes loose hair before your cat swallows it, cuts hairballs and mats, and lets you spot skin problems early.
Short-haired, long-haired, curly, and hairless cats all have very different grooming needs.
Why brushing matters at all
Cats groom themselves constantly, but that swallows loose fur that comes back as hairballs, and a cat cannot reach every spot — the armpits, belly, and back all get missed. Brushing removes dead hair before it is swallowed or turns into a mat, spreads healthy skin oils, and is the best routine health check you have: you feel lumps, scabs, fleas, and pain reactions long before they become obvious.
Short-haired cats
A weekly brush is usually enough. Use a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt to lift loose hair, finishing with a fine comb to catch what is left. Short coats rarely mat, so the goal is shedding control and fewer hairballs. Step up to two or three times a week during spring and autumn, when short-haired cats shed heavily.
Brushing needs vary hugely by coat — from weekly for short hair to daily for long.
Long-haired cats
Long coats need daily attention — skip a few days and mats start behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the rear. Use a steel comb to reach the undercoat where tangles begin, then a slicker brush to finish. Two minutes daily on the friction spots prevents the painful mats that otherwise need a groomer. This is the highest-maintenance coat by far.
Curly and hairless coats
Rex breeds (Cornish, Devon) have fragile curly coats that over-brushing damages — a soft brush or a gentle wipe with a damp cloth, only now and then, is enough. Hairless breeds like the sphynx have no coat to brush but oily skin that needs regular wiping and occasional bathing, or oil builds up in the skin folds. Both types also need protection from cold and sun that a normal coat would provide.
Always brush in the direction the fur grows; against it is uncomfortable for most cats.
Adjusting for season, age, and climate
Most cats shed hardest in spring and autumn, so brush more then. Warm, humid climates can blur those seasons and keep shedding steady year-round, so watch your own cat rather than the calendar. Older, overweight, or arthritic cats groom themselves less and need more help from you, especially on the back and rear they can no longer reach.
Quick FAQs
How often should I brush a short-haired cat? About once a week, more during spring and autumn shedding.
Do indoor cats need less brushing? No — indoor cats often shed year-round because of stable indoor temperatures, so keep to the same routine.
My cat hates the brush. What can I do? Try a rubber mitt instead of a bristle brush, keep sessions short, and reward throughout.
Is a hairball normal? The occasional one is, but frequent hairballs, retching without producing one, or a change in appetite warrant a vet check.