How to Get Your Kitten Used to Brushing

It's best to introduce brushing early, even for short-haired breeds. That way grooming becomes a familiar routine instead of a battle once the kitten grows up.

How to do it

• Start without a brush. Just pet the kitten with your hands, in the direction the coat grows, during calm moments — like when it's dozing on your lap.
• Pick a soft brush suited to the coat length, and let the kitten sniff it first.
• Keep the first sessions to 30–60 seconds. Short and frequent beats one long, unpleasant session.
• End on a positive note — a treat or praise, while the kitten's still interested, before it starts trying to squirm away.
• Check paws and ears while you're at it — it gets the kitten used to future vet exams too.

For long-haired breeds (Maine Coon, Persian, Siberian), brushing regularly 2–3 times a week isn't optional — it's what keeps mats from forming.