How should long-haired cats be groomed? Do short-haired cats need grooming?

Long-haired cats should receive daily care. If neglected, the hair will tangle and mat. Removal of these tangles
and mats may be difficult and an unpleasant experience for the cat.
Equipment for long-haired cats should include a comb with two sizes of teeth, a fine-tooth or flea comb,
nail clippers, a grooming brush made with natural bristles (nylon may cause excessive static), and grooming
powder (baby powder, talcum powder, or cornstarch).
Using a wide-toothed comb, comb all areas of the animal. One must be careful of the sensitive areas of
the stomach, the insides of the legs, and under the tail. If the coat is free of tangles and mats, the fine-toothed
part of the comb should be used. The skin and not just the outer fur should be combed; next, the fur should
be brushed out. One should brush in the opposite direction to which the hair naturally lies and occasionally
sprinkle grooming powder into the fur.
If the fur has become badly tangled and matted, scissors should be used to cut the mats out, being careful not
to injure the animal. Blunt-ended scissors—never sharp-pointed scissors, knives, or razor blades—should be used.
Do not cut parallel to the skin. Split mats into strips by cutting perpendicularly away from the skin. A sudden
movement by the cat could cause serious injury. Badly matted cats may require sedation and clipping by a vet.
Grooming short-haired cats can usually be accomplished with a fine-toothed or flea comb. In many cases,
hand grooming will be sufficient to remove dead hair. A rubber grooming brush is also very effective, but it
must be used carefully because good hair may also be removed. The use of a soft chamois, silk, or nylon pad
causes some static in the coat and helps it cling tightly to the body.