daily grooming routine to stop mats before they start

So I’ve been thinking about this because Willow’s coat is getting a bit thicker and I don’t want to end up like jessc86 with that situation behind Chloe’s ears.

I know Sparrow grooms herself a ton, but she’s short-haired. Willow is the long-haired one. How often do you actually need to brush them to stop mats before they start? Is it daily? Every other day? I feel like I’m missing something because I only do it when I see a little tangle, but by then it’s already forming.

Daily. No, not 'when you see a tangle.' Daily.

If you wait until you see a mat, it’s usually too late for a simple brush. The undercoat gets trapped under the topcoat. For a Ragdoll, if you miss a few days, you’re looking at a trip to the groomer or a bad time at the vet. See Chloe hates the brush and bites me for what happens when you let it go too long and the cat gets stressed.

@stever66 I am literally crying typing this. I know I should have done it daily, but Chloe is so shy and I was so busy with the new baby prep. I tried to fix the mat behind her ears and she went full attack mode on me. My arm is still bruised.

I’m scared to even look at her now. I just want to keep her safe but I don’t know how to do this without her hurting me or me hurting her.

Practical advice: don't try to do it all at once. If the cat is stressed, you'll make it worse.

For the mat, check Do you shave the mat out or just live with it?. Sometimes you have to get a little creative with the removal if it's tight. But for prevention, you need a tool that actually works, not just any old brush. What are you using?

@RiverKettle I’m using a regular slicker brush, but I feel like it’s not getting deep enough. I saw a thread about What brush do you actually use every day? but I’m not sure which one is best for a cat that moves a lot. Sparrow is always zooming around so I can’t just hold her still for ten minutes.

A slicker brush is fine for the topcoat, but you need something for the undercoat if you want to prevent mats. That said, if the cat is licking excessively, check Is it normal for them to lick until they bald?. Sometimes the matting is secondary to the stress or medical issue causing the over-grooming. If Willow is calm, daily brushing with a dematter or high-velocity dryer (if she tolerates it) is the gold standard.

I’m going to try the 'little and often' method. I read somewhere that if you do it for 5 minutes every day, the cat gets used to it better than 20 minutes once a week. I’m just hoping Chloe doesn’t decide to bite my other arm. Does anyone have tips for making the time less scary for the cat?

Treats. High value. Not kibble. If you can get the cat to associate the brush with food, you win half the battle. Also, don't brush against the grain first. Go with the flow. If they get twitchy, stop and give a break. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.