If you have a cat, chances are you're looking for a way to reduce the amount of fur they shed around the house. This is particularly a problem for those who have medium-haired and long-haired cats. Steel brushes are popular for their ability to remove much more loose fur than standard bristle brushes, but they can be dangerous, too. To make sure you're not doing your cat any harm, read this quick guide to learn how deshedding brushes can be harmful for your cat.

Overuse

Stainless steel deshedding tools use tightly spaced teeth to grab loose fur and remove it. They're particularly effective at removing fur from your cat's undercoat, which standard brushes can't help much with at all. However, deshedding tools are almost too effective at removing your cat's undercoat. Instead of simply collecting loose hair, if used excessively, a stainless steel brush can actually yank out living fur that shouldn't be removed from your cat. This can not only be painful for your kitty but potentially leave them with bald spots. As a result, if you choose to use one of these tools, go slowly and don't excessively brush your cat with them. You can supplement your brushing with a standard brush to remove loose hairs from the topcoat after a thorough brushing with the steel deshedder.

Tangles and Debris

The stainless steel teeth on deshedder brushes are rigid and inflexible, meaning that if they come across any lumps or debris in your cat's fur, they'll pull them out. While this might sound like a great way of detangling your cat's fur, in reality, the brush will actually yank out the hair that's tangled or has debris caught in it. Like the above problem, this can cause bald spots and pain.

In addition, if your cat's tail has debris or a tangle in it, you can potentially cause nerve damage to your cat by using a deshedder. The tail of a cat is very sensitive and is an extension of your cat's spine. Ripping hair out of the tail can potentially cause serious pain and nerve damage to the entire spine, so never use a deshedder on the tail if there's a tangle, fur clump, or debris caught in it.

Consult with Professional

If you're unsure how to go about using a deshedder safely, it's a good idea to consult with a professional. A groomer or veterinarian will be able to give you advice on how often you should groom your cat's coat and whether or not it's safe to use a stainless steel brush. They can also check for any damage to your cat's coat to find out if some of their undercoat has already been pulled out by the brush.

Stainless steel brushes are great tools to have to help reduce the amount of fur your cat sheds, but you can go too far with them, too. Always use caution when using these tools, and pay attention to how your cat reacts. If your cat seems nervous, anxious, or like they're in pain, stop immediately and consult with a pro.