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A grandma with a silver braid brushes the long fur of a calico cat resting on a wooden step by a porch. 32 / 32

Dottie Brought Out the Brush. Marigold Melted Into the Back Steps.

AI imagecalico catbrushingback steps

On the weathered back steps, Dottie runs a small wooden brush through Marigold's long, plush fur. Her silver braid rests over her denim shirt and her face is soft with concentration and affection. Marigold lies stretched out on the board, white paws forward and eyes half closed, her orange, black and white coat fluffed up under the brush. A watering can, a doormat and a pair of old garden shoes sit nearby, and a window behind them reflects the late afternoon.

Regular brushing is one of the best things you can do for a long-haired cat. It removes loose fur, helps prevent mats and cuts down on hairballs, and it makes a nice bonding ritual. Use a brush suited to her coat, start gently along the back, and be careful around the belly and legs, where many cats are sensitive. Short, calm sessions with praise or a treat at the end make cats more willing to cooperate. If you find mats, lumps, sore patches or a lot of unusual shedding, mention it to your vet, since changes in the coat can sometimes signal something else.

Marigold melts under the brush in a way that suggests she'd happily go on for hours. Dottie gives her a few more strokes and smooths the last fluff into place. It's a small ritual and a happy one.

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