British fur needs attention
British cats are famous for their “plush” look. Their coat is short, but extremely thick and dense due to their well-developed undercoat. It creates a feeling of softness and bulkiness, which makes British cats look like real teddy bears. However, this particular feature requires special care: the undercoat quickly collects dead hairs, and during the seasonal molt they become even more. Without regular grooming, the coat can pile up in tangles and the cat swallows too much hair, causing stomach problems.
Home grooming: a brush, patience and the right approach
Although Brits do not need daily grooming, systematic combing is a must. It is optimal to devote time to this twice a week, and in periods of active shedding – almost daily. Special brushes and combs are used, which do not traumatize the thick coat and at the same time remove the undercoat well. Brushing should be done in the direction of hair growth, with light and calm movements, turning the procedure into a kind of massage that brings pleasure to the cat. It is also important to follow the general hygiene: clean the ears, trim the claws, pay attention to cleanliness around the eyes. All this helps to detect possible skin or health problems in time.
Professional grooming of British cats
How it really happens
A professional session for a Brit doesn’t start with a brush, but with thorough preparation. The first thing the groomer does is examine the animal and check the condition of the skin and coat to select the right cosmetics and technique. But the first thing that is done before any coat manipulation is claw clipping. Shortening the claws reduces the risk of injury to the cat itself during the procedure: after all, being under stress, he can jerk sharply or cling to towels and the surface of the table. Special claw cutters with a limiter are used, which cut only the tip without affecting the live part. The paw pads are also treated at once – the master carefully examines them for dirt, cracks or irritations.
Then a brief inspection: the groomer carefully examines the skin, checks the density of the undercoat, irritations, “problem” areas behind the ears, on the neck, inner thighs and under the tail. The selection of cosmetics and tools depends on this: for the thick “plush” hair of Brits we use formulas with mild surfactants and conditioning components without heavy silicones, so as not to “pile up” the undercoat and not to clog pores. If there are tangles, they are first gently worked through with hands and a special detangling spray, rather than torn with a brush – this is essential to preserve the structure of the coat.
The preparatory stage is a short dry combing in the direction of hair growth to remove some of the dead undercoat before bathing. For Brits, a soft slicker, combo comb and rubber brush are appropriate; aggressive “combers” are used very gently or not at all, so as not to thin the coat and not to traumatize the skin. Next is bathing in two phases: first cleansing, then nourishing/moisturizing. The water is warm-room water, with no contrasts, and massage movements during shampooing help to painlessly release the undercoat. Conditioner is chosen to be light to maintain the characteristic plush volume.
After blotting with a towel, the groomer works with a hair dryer with adjustable temperature and flow strength, using nozzles to “blow out” the undercoat in a controlled manner. The goal is to dry and gently lift the hair and reveal volume. If necessary, a gently blowing drying box is used under constant supervision – no overheating and no “noisy hurricanes” that frighten cats. All this reduces stress time and allows high-quality combing out of the undercoat already on dry, properly prepared hair.
The final combing is carried out with tools of different teeth density to pass both the “top” and the undercoat without creating bald spots. British cats are not cut “under the machine” – such a haircut of a British cat violates the protective properties of the hair, can change its texture and rate of regrowth. Only hygienic corrections are allowed: a neat contour under the tail, between the fingers, sometimes – a light trimming on the pants and chest, if care requires it. In parallel, hygiene is carried out: ear cleaning with professional lotion, eye control, claw trimming – all quickly, painlessly and with a non-traumatic fixation.
Special attention is paid to comfort. In our salons we work on the principle of “one cat – one groomer”: the cat is gently interacted with by one master all the time, without transfers “from hand to hand”. We use anti-slip mats on the tables, pheromone diffusers, calm pace and maximum silence. No sedatives – this is strictly a matter for the vet; we reduce anxiety with proper behavior and environment. If the cat needs a break – we give it. The goal is not to “work it off quickly” but to have a session so that the next visit is taken calmly.
After the procedure, the master gives personalized recommendations at home: how often to comb out exactly your Brit in his season, what brush to pass “problem” areas, what pastes from swallowing hair to choose according to the condition of the animal, how to maintain air humidity and drinking regimen to reduce dryness of the coat. This is how the habitual cycle is formed: on average, Brits are comfortable coming to professional grooming every 4-8 weeks, and during active shedding – more often. It is this regularity that noticeably reduces the amount of hair at home, prevents tangles and helps to maintain the “signature” volume.
We work according to unified protocols specifically for short-haired, densely-coated breeds, and each craftswoman and master is internally trained in “cat ergonomics”: how to hold, how to fix without stress, how to dry with minimal noise. We have several 12 convenient locations, modern equipment, proven cosmetics and a team approach: if your cat responds better to a particular master – we assign her to you. Plus – transparent recording and reminders so you don’t miss optimal intervals. As a result, you get not a “washed cat”, but a well-groomed British cat with a deeply cleaned undercoat, correct volume and healthy shine – exactly the kind for which everyone loves the breed.
