What brush do people recommend for grooming a fluffy cat? I have a sort of soft plastic one at the moment which they tolerate, but wondered if there might be a better one as their fur still manages to get absolutely everywhere!

I also wan't to prevent them getting fur balls

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I have two types of brush and one cloth.

I first use a short metal brush - this gets rid of all the tangles, although I do it so often that the boys have no tangles.

Then I wipe them with a chamois leather to 'buff them up'

Then I have a soft bristle puppy/kitten brush which gets them nice and sleak.

I know I go overboard but they are exceptionally soft and everybody has commented on how smooth and shiny they are. They are both very fluffy so I do groom them almost every day, but they love the extra indulgence.

Oh meant to add, I don't get ANY cat fur on my clothes as it all comes off on the brushes. Whether this is a flook or not I am not sure, but I am sure grooming helps catch the extra moulted fur.

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Wow that is quite some routine! I did laugh when you mentioned the chamois leather - is it one for a car or a special cat one? I am extremely jealous you get no cat fur on you, my red sofa is almost white when I get home each day! I think I will invest in some new brushes, the cats don't really enjoy it but will have to put up with it!

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Just a normal one you would use for a car - how my husband laughed too, but with super shiny cats he is no longer laughing....

Can you imagine what I would be like with pedigree cats?

I was very concious of having long haired kittens as I was really worried I wouldn't be able to groom them, they wouldn't like it, they would get matted etc, and then the lady from the CP said I would also have fur all over my clothes and sofa but it was unavoidable.

However, as I have no fur around, except in their baskets I would say a good groom definately helps, although perhaps kittens do not moult as much?...

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Well mine are 10 months so more like cats really. They are pedigree cats, and suposedly 'short haired' but they have very thick coats and quite long fur in my opinon - certainly not like the coat of a regular moggy. I am going to order a chamois leather now, can't wait to see my boyfriends face when it arrives!

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At 6 months old are mine still kittens...or are they juniors now?

I got my chamois from Tesco, the soft bristle from Zooplus and the metal one from P@H.

Even short haired cats need grooming, but I think they don't get matted as quickly. There is a cat in the local garden centre who is short haired with thick fur and just a quick cuddle got me absolutely covered with fur. I looked at her thinking, "Sweetie, you need a thorough grooming!...now where is that brush when I need it?...."

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With longhaired cats, I find that the soft bristle brushes, and the metal 'slicker' brushes, are good for a surface once-over but they don't go all the way through to the undercoat. So I use a metal comb about 3 inches long with a wooden handle, and teeth spaced about 1 mm apart. This is bigger than a flea comb. This comb will penetrate the whole coat and get to any knotty bits underneath. I try not to pull on their fur too much - I always hold the fur with my left hand and groom gently with my right hand. If there's a knot, I hold it first then comb it out, to avoid yanking at my cat.

I wouldn't say they particularly enjoy being groomed, but they do tolerate it pretty well, as long as they are nice and relaxed (or asleep) to start with. Typical that the one who is very prone to knots is the one who is always larking about outside all day up and down the trees, getting all sorts of debris stuck in his britches, and he's the jumpy, excitable drama queen of the family! Whereas his brother Larry is so adorably laid-back that when I comb him he just rolls over and lets me do his belly.

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Rescue cats for many years, currently one moggie and 3 young Maine Coons.

Right well I have ordered a couple of new brushes and a chamois leather, so in a few days time they might be the smartest cats in town! Currently when I groom them with a comb they sort of stand with their bums all drooped in a sort of strained position, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to escape! When I use the rubber brush they tolerate it a bit more, but it just doesn't cut the mustard and sends hair everywhere!

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You could try dampening a cotton wool ball and gently wiping their coats over first-I find the loose fur sticks to the comb better and comes off on the comb instead of sticking to the coat.As long as you dont soak them,im sure the cat wont mind-Einstein loves it when I groom him like that!

Could I recommend the Furminator Cat Grooming tool.
We did a trial with Good Housekeeping a couple of years back with seven different forms of brush/slicker for dogs and the Furminator came out top. It has proved successful with our cat customers. Not the cheapest grooming tool, but does save on hours of hoovering up cat hairs. We have been told some cats really actually like getting groomed with this product.
And if it your cat does not like it, it does come with a money back guarantee. We have yet to do a refund after selling over 500.

Company Of Animals Ltd, FURminator Grooming Tool - Cat UK

Cheers Fraz.

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http://www.mutleyandmog.co.uk