Grooming is also a regular check-in. As you brush and comb, look for fine flakes (dandruff), new tangles, or areas your cat suddenly guards—common sensitivity spots include the neck/collar area, along the spine, and near the hips. Pay special attention to mat “hotspots” where friction is high: armpits, belly, groin, and behind the ears.
If you find a mat, avoid yanking or trying to rip it out with a brush. Use a gentle detangling approach: separate the hair with your fingers, hold the base of the fur close to the skin, and work the edges of the knot with a comb in tiny increments. For tight mats close to the skin, it’s safer to stop and arrange professional grooming rather than risk cuts.
Do a quick flea dirt check while you’re there: comb through the coat and look for black specks; place them on a damp white tissue—if they smear reddish-brown, that can indicate flea dirt. Also watch for scabs, sores, or broken skin. If you see scabs/oozing, your cat reacts in pain, or you notice a sudden jump in flakes or hair breakage, stop grooming that area and call your veterinarian for guidance (Vogelnest LJ, 2017).