Cats spend a remarkable share of their waking hours grooming themselves — by most estimates somewhere between a third and half of the time they are awake. That constant maintenance keeps the coat clean, spreads natural oils, and helps regulate body temperature. It also means that a change in grooming habits is often one of the earliest signals that something is wrong. In Burnaby’s damp coastal climate, where wet winters and heated indoor air pull moisture out of the skin in opposite directions, coat and skin condition can shift noticeably between seasons. Understanding what healthy grooming looks like — and knowing when to step in with a brush or a veterinary visit — makes a real difference to a cat’s comfort, and routine grooming support is available when a coat needs more than a brush at home.
What Your Cat’s Coat Is Telling You
A healthy cat coat lies flat, feels soft rather than greasy or brittle, and shows no bald patches, scabs, or persistent flaking. Run your hands over your cat every week or two and you will learn their normal quickly, which makes any change easy to spot.
Two opposite patterns are worth watching for. Overgrooming — licking or chewing one area until the fur thins or the skin becomes raw — is rarely just a habit. It is more often a response to itch, pain, or stress, and common causes include fleas, food or environmental allergies, and discomfort in a joint underneath the spot being licked.
Undergrooming is the mirror image and tends to be more serious. A cat who stops grooming and develops a dull, greasy, or matted coat is usually telling you they cannot reach comfortably or do not feel well. Arthritis, dental pain, obesity, and a range of internal illnesses all show up this way, particularly in cats over ten. Dandruff along the lower back is a classic example: it is often read as a skin problem when the real cause is that the cat can no longer twist far enough to groom there. A veterinary examination can separate a skin condition from a mobility or pain problem.
Seasonal shedding is normal. Most cats in this region shed more heavily in spring and again in autumn, and indoor cats living under artificial light often shed at a steady low level year-round instead. A sudden increase outside that pattern, especially with visible skin underneath, is worth a look.
Building a Grooming Routine That Works
The right routine depends mostly on coat length. Short-haired cats generally do well with a brushing once or twice a week. This removes loose hair before it is swallowed, which reduces hairballs, and gives you a regular chance to check the skin underneath.
Long-haired cats — Persians, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and the many long-coated mixes — need brushing daily, or close to it. Their coat mats faster than most owners expect, and the areas that mat first are the ones hardest to see: behind the ears, in the armpits, along the belly, and around the base of the tail.
Mats are not a cosmetic problem. A tight mat pulls constantly on the skin, traps moisture against it, and can hide wounds, parasites, or infection underneath. Never cut a mat out with scissors — cat skin is thin and lifts up into the mat, and it is very easy to cut through it without realising. Small mats can often be teased apart with fingers and a wide-toothed comb; larger or tighter ones are safer handled through professional medical grooming.
Nails benefit from a trim every two to four weeks, taking only the sharp translucent tip and staying well clear of the pink quick. Older cats in particular need this checked, because nails that are not worn down can grow around into the pad. Ears should look clean and pale pink; dark, crumbly debris resembling coffee grounds suggests ear mites and needs treatment rather than cleaning alone.
Most cats do not need routine bathing. Their own grooming handles it, and frequent bathing strips the coat’s natural oils.
When Grooming Becomes a Veterinary Matter
Some coat and skin changes need more than a brush. Book an appointment if you notice hair loss in patches or a symmetrical thinning down the flanks or belly; persistent scratching, head shaking, or overgrooming of one spot; scabs, sores, redness, or a smell coming from the skin; a coat that has become greasy, dull, or matted in a cat who used to keep it tidy; or fleas and flea dirt — small black specks that turn rust-red on a damp tissue.
Skin problems in cats look alike from the outside and have very different causes underneath, so identifying the cause matters more than treating the symptom. Diagnostic testing such as skin cytology, fungal culture, or an allergy workup is often what separates one from another.
Fleas remain common across the Lower Mainland year-round because of the mild winters, and they are frequently involved even when no adult flea is ever seen. Never use a dog flea product on a cat — many contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can cause tremors and seizures. Year-round parasite prevention is the simpler route.
Diet also plays a direct role. Coat quality depends on adequate protein and essential fatty acids, and a dull, dry, or flaky coat is sometimes the first visible sign of a nutritional gap that nutrition counselling can address.
For badly matted cats, or cats whose stress makes handling unsafe, grooming under veterinary supervision is often the kinder route. It allows the coat to be dealt with properly in a single session while the skin underneath is examined at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I brush my cat?
A: Short-haired cats generally do well with once or twice a week. Long-haired cats need daily brushing to prevent mats. Older and overweight cats often need more help than they used to, because they can no longer reach parts of their own coat.
Q: My cat has stopped grooming and looks scruffy. Is that just age?
A: It is worth having checked rather than assuming. A cat who stops grooming is usually uncomfortable — arthritis, dental pain, and obesity are common reasons, and a number of internal illnesses present this way too. In senior cats, a declining coat is one of the more reliable early warning signs.
Q: Can I cut a mat out myself?
A: We would strongly recommend against using scissors. A cat’s skin is thin and tents up into the mat, and serious cuts happen this way more often than people expect. Small mats can be worked out with a wide-toothed comb and patience; anything tight or close to the skin should be clipped by someone with the right equipment.
Q: Are hairballs normal?
A: An occasional hairball is normal, particularly during heavy shedding. Frequent hairballs, repeated unproductive retching, or vomiting alongside appetite or weight changes should be assessed. Regular brushing reduces how much hair is swallowed in the first place.
Q: Does my indoor cat still need flea prevention?
A: Yes. Fleas travel indoors on clothing, shoes, and other pets, and Burnaby’s mild winters mean they remain active year-round. Indoor cats are regularly diagnosed with flea allergy dermatitis.
Noticed a change in your cat’s coat, skin, or grooming habits? Book an appointment online or call us at (604) 900-8383. Brentwood Animal Hospital is located at 4489 Hastings Street in Burnaby, caring for cats across Brentwood, Capitol Hill, Willingdon Heights, and the surrounding neighbourhoods. You can also read more about our care for cats.