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An older couple in cream sweaters sit on concrete steps, each brushing a tortoiseshell cat lying between them. 2 / 34

Two Brushes, One Tortoiseshell, and a Very Clear Verdict From Mabel

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Out on the back steps, Mabel is getting the full spa treatment. Walt works a wooden brush along her shoulders while June runs a small pink brush down her back, both of them smiling down at the tortoiseshell stretched across the concrete step between them. Their matching cream sweaters, gray trousers and the potted plant by the door give the scene a calm, unhurried feeling. Mabel tilts her head and half closes her eyes, the universal cat signal that the people are doing a fine job and should keep going.

Regular brushing does more than keep a coat shiny. It removes loose fur, which can cut down on hairballs and the amount of hair left on furniture, and it gives you a chance to notice any lumps, scabs, fleas or skin changes early. Short-haired cats like Mabel usually do well with a session or two a week, while long-haired cats often need daily attention to prevent mats. Keep sessions short, follow the direction the fur grows, and stop if your cat flicks its tail or tenses up. Many cats learn to love grooming when it is paired with calm voices and a treat afterward. If you spot anything unusual on the skin, talk to your vet.

There is something very sweet about two people taking turns caring for the same small friend. Mabel may act like she is merely tolerating it, but anyone can see she would be back on those steps tomorrow at the same time.

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