Product Review: Warner Slicker Brush

To keep mats out of the hair of long-haired cats, you should use a slicker brush. The best kind (if it's still available) is the Warner Slicker. It has aluminum wire bristles on a rubber base in an aluminum frame, and comes with a wooden handle.

It does NOT hurt the cat; in fact, cats love being brushed with this brush. Mine is over 30 years old and was originally used for keeping mats out of our poodles' hair, but I found it works well for cats too. In fact, some domestic short haired cats get matted, because they have fine undercoat hair that tangles with the coarser outer coat as it comes loose. Brush the cat every day or so to keep mats from forming.

If the cat already has mats, brush around and through the mats a little every day, and they will eventually loosen and come off. You will be surprised how much hair fills up the brush with just a few passes over the cat! Empty the brush by rubbing in the direction of the bristles (which have a bend in them), or use a wide-toothed comb.

By Pixiedust7 from Wantagh, Long Island, NY