How to Groom a Cat at Home: Long Hair, Short Hair, Mats and Baths

Updated October 27, 2026

This guide is for anyone who wants to keep a cat comfortable, clean and free of mats at home, whether your cat has a long, fluffy coat or a short, sleek one. It covers how often to brush each coat type, where mats hide (the belly and armpits are the usual suspects), what brushing can and cannot do about hairballs, how to help senior and overweight cats who can no longer reach every spot, and the rare times a cat actually needs a bath.

The short answer: Brush a short-haired cat once or twice a week and a long-haired cat daily or every few days, and finish every session with a steel comb that reaches the skin. Check the belly, armpits, chest and back end each time, because that is where mats start. Bathe only when your cat is truly dirty, never cut a mat out with scissors, and see your vet if your cat suddenly stops grooming or the coat turns greasy, thin or matted.

How we wrote this: the advice comes from the veterinary and animal welfare sources linked in the text. Product mentions use brand specs and named, linked reviews. We have not tested these products ourselves, and this page has no affiliate links.

Why a self-grooming cat still needs your help

Cats put real effort into keeping themselves clean. Cornell veterinarians note that cats typically spend 30 to 50 percent of the day grooming (Cornell Feline Health Center). Licking has limits, though. Every loose hair your cat licks up gets swallowed, and a tongue cannot pull apart a tangle that has tightened against the skin.

Regular brushing or combing keeps the coat clean, cuts shedding and reduces both hairballs and matting, according to the ASPCA. It also gives you a weekly look at your cat's body. The ASPCA suggests running your hands along your cat as you groom, feeling for wounds, bumps and hidden tangles, and checking for ticks and flea dirt. A healthy coat has a natural shine and springs back when you touch it. If you find a wound, a lump, bald patches or red, scabby skin, see your vet rather than brushing over it.

Long hair vs short hair: how often and with what

Coat length decides almost everything about your routine. Use this table as a starting point, then adjust to your cat's shedding and how quickly tangles form.

Coat	How often to brush	Core tools	Trouble spots
Short hair	Once or twice a week, more in heavy shedding	Slicker or soft brush, then a metal comb	Loose hair along the back and sides
Long hair (Persian, Maine Coon and similar)	Daily, or at least every few days	Slicker for the outer coat, steel comb down to the skin	Armpits, belly, chest, behind the ears, collar line, back end
Senior or overweight cat (any length)	Short daily sessions	Soft brush and a comb, gentle pressure	Lower back and base of the tail

Short-haired cats

The ASPCA recommends one or two brushings a week for short-haired cats, working a metal comb through the fur from head to tail to lift dirt and debris. Follow up with a slicker or soft brush in the direction the hair grows to collect loose coat. During spring and fall sheds, add an extra session or two. Short coats rarely mat, so the goal here is less loose hair on your cat (and in your cat's stomach).

Long-haired cats

Indoor long-haired cats shed all year and need grooming every few days, says the ASPCA, and VCA Animal Hospitals goes further, advising daily combing or brushing with extra attention to the areas that mat. The ASPCA suggests starting with the belly and legs and combing upward.

Work in small sections. Brush a patch with a slicker, then run a steel comb from the skin out to the tips. If the comb glides through, move on. If it catches, you have found a tangle that the brush skimmed over. This "comb test" is the single most useful habit for a long-haired cat, because a slicker on its own can leave a smooth top layer over knots sitting at the skin.

Mats: belly, armpits and the back end

VCA lists the places knots form most often on long-haired cats: under the legs, around the back end, on the chest and around the collar. Add the belly and the area behind the ears, where fine hair rubs and twists. Mats are not just untidy. They pull on the skin every time your cat moves, and the ASPCA warns that skipped brushing leads to painful tangles.

How to work out a small mat

Pick a calm moment and settle your cat on a towel on your lap or a table.
Feel the mat with your fingers to find its edges and how close it sits to the skin.
Hold the hair between the mat and the skin with your fingertips, so any pull lands on your fingers, not your cat's skin.
Tease the outer edge apart a few hairs at a time with the end teeth of a comb or the tip of a slicker. Work from the outside in.
When the mat is loose, comb through from the skin out to confirm it is gone.
Stop if your cat starts to flick its tail, growl or pull away. Give a treat and finish another day.

Never cut a mat out with scissors. VCA warns that mats sit very close to the skin and it is easy to cut the skin without seeing it, causing a serious, painful injury. Large mats, mats over the whole body or any mat your cat will not let you touch belong with a professional groomer or your vet. VCA notes that vets can sedate a cat so mats are removed without pain.

The sanitary area

Long fur on the back legs and under the tail can trap litter or stool. Comb this area gently every few days so it stays separated. If it keeps getting soiled, ask a groomer or your vet about a sanitary trim. VCA suggests using clippers on a cat only if you already have experience with them, and warns to watch for blade contact with the skin and for the blade overheating.

Hairballs: what brushing can and cannot do

A hairball is the by-product of normal grooming. As your cat licks, it swallows loose hair, and because hair is made of keratin, which cats cannot digest, some of it collects in the stomach, explains the Cornell Feline Health Center. Cornell notes that long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons are at greater risk than short-haired cats, and it recommends that owners get into the habit of brushing and combing every day, especially during shedding season. Every hair you comb out is one your cat does not swallow.

Brushing reduces hairballs, but it is not a treatment. Cornell says to get veterinary help right away if your cat is lethargic, refuses to eat for more than a day or two, or has repeated bouts of unproductive retching or vomiting, because a hairball can block the intestines. Do not give laxatives or home remedies without your vet's advice.

Senior and overweight cats

Older and heavier cats often groom less, and it is not laziness. PetMD explains that arthritis, which is more common in cats over 10, makes it painful to twist and stretch to reach the back and hips. Aging skin can also produce more oil while the hair becomes more brittle, and both lead to mats, most often at the base of the tail and up the back. Extra weight makes the same spots hard to reach, and PetMD lists kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid problems as conditions that can cut down grooming too.

How to help:

Brush in short, frequent sessions rather than one long one. PetMD says daily brushing is ideal for medium and long coats on senior cats.
Use a soft brush and light pressure. Older skin is thinner and bruises or scratches more easily.
Let your cat lie in a comfortable position and groom around it. Do not stretch stiff legs to reach the armpits.
Check claws while you are there. PetMD notes that claws grow thicker with age and need more frequent trims (see our guide to trimming cat nails).

A cat that suddenly stops grooming, or whose coat turns greasy, dull, flaky or matted over a few weeks, may be in pain or unwell. See your vet before you treat it as a grooming problem.

Bathing: rarely, and only when needed

Most cats rarely need a bath, says the ASPCA. Save it for the times your cat is very dirty or has rolled in something sticky or smelly (ASPCA bathing tips). Between baths, a damp cloth or a no-rinse cat product on a towel handles small messes with much less stress.

When a real bath is needed, the ASPCA's approach is simple:

Trim the claws first and brush out loose hair and mats.
Gently place a little cotton in the outer ears to keep water out.
Fill a sink or tub with 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm, not hot, water.
Wet your cat with a hand-held sprayer, keeping the spray away from the ears, eyes and nose.
Mix one part cat shampoo with five parts water and massage it in from head to tail, in the direction the hair grows. Avoid the face. The ASPCA notes that human shampoo can dry out a cat's skin.
Rinse thoroughly. Leftover shampoo can irritate the skin and attract dirt.
Wrap your cat in a large towel and dry it in a warm room away from drafts. Use a blow dryer only on the lowest heat setting, and only if your cat tolerates the noise.

Never leave a cat alone in water, and stop if your cat panics. A frightened cat can hurt itself and you. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Keeping grooming low-stress

Groom when your cat is relaxed, such as after a meal or a nap, not after rough play.
Keep early sessions short: a minute or two of brushing, then a treat. VCA recommends pairing grooming with treats so your cat learns to enjoy it.
Stop before your cat asks you to. Ending on a good note makes the next session easier.
If your cat fights grooming to the point that someone could get hurt, the ASPCA advises booking a professional groomer or your vet instead.

Our picks

Safari by Coastal Cat Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

Sources: specs, Cats.com

A budget slicker for both short- and long-haired cats. Its coated stainless steel pins retract at the push of a button, so hair slides off the brush in a second. Cats.com named it the best overall cat brush, but noted it should not be the only tool for thick long coats, so pair it with a steel comb.

Necoichi Purrcision Feline Nail Clippers

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

Nail trims are part of every grooming routine. These small Japanese-made clippers have blades about 30 percent thinner than standard ones, which makes the quick easier to see. Vetstreet picked them as its best overall cat nail clipper.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo

Sources: specs, NBC Select

A soap-free, pH-balanced shampoo labeled for dogs and cats 6 weeks and older, made with colloidal oatmeal and aloe. The label says to leave it on a wet coat for at least 90 seconds, then rinse, and it can be diluted up to 10:1 with water. Keep it out of the eyes.

Burt's Bees for Pets Waterless Shampoo for Cats

Sources: specs, The Vet Desk

A no-rinse spray with shea butter and honey for freshening a cat between baths. Directions say to spray from the back of the ears to the tail, avoiding the eyes, then spread it with a dry towel. Since cats lick their coats, use only as much as you need.

Earthbath Hypoallergenic Eye Wipes

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

Fragrance-free, alcohol-free pads labeled for removing tear stains and eye gunk on dogs and cats over 6 weeks old, handy for long-haired cats whose face fur collects debris. Wipe around the outside of the eyes only, never in the eye. Heavy tearing, squinting, redness or colored discharge is a reason to see your vet.

Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Mistakes to avoid

Brushing only the top of the coat. Always finish with a comb that reaches the skin.
Cutting mats out with scissors. The skin sits right under the mat.
Pulling on a mat without holding the hair at the base.
Bathing a matted cat. Brush out mats before the coat gets wet.
Using human shampoo, which can dry a cat's skin.
Pressing hard with a slicker on the belly and legs, where cat skin is thin.
Ignoring a cat that stops grooming. It can be a sign of pain or illness.

FAQ

How often should I brush my cat?

Brush a short-haired cat once or twice a week. Brush a long-haired cat daily or at least every few days, and add sessions during shedding season.

What is the best way to get mats out of cat fur?

Hold the hair at the base so you do not pull the skin, then tease the mat apart from the edges with a comb or slicker. Never use scissors, and take large or tight mats to a groomer or vet.

Do indoor cats need baths?

Most cats rarely need one. Bathe only when your cat is very dirty or has gotten into something sticky or smelly, and use a cat shampoo, not a human one.

Does brushing help with hairballs?

Yes. Brushing removes loose hair before your cat swallows it, and Cornell recommends daily brushing for cats prone to hairballs. Repeated vomiting, unproductive retching or a cat that stops eating needs a vet visit.

Why is my older cat's fur matted on its back?

Arthritis, weight gain or illness can stop a cat from reaching its lower back and tail base, and aging skin can get oilier. Brush gently every day and have your vet check for an underlying cause.

Can I shave my long-haired cat at home?

It is safer to leave shaving to a groomer or vet unless you are experienced with clippers. It is easy to nick a cat's skin, especially where mats sit tight against it.