British Shorthair grooming in Berlin: brushing, nails, prices

You should brush a British Shorthair a few times a week, and during shedding season, you also need to remove loose hair from their thick coat daily. If you'd like some help with this, we can groom your cat at GroomRoom in Berlin Charlottenburg. Appointments are available Tuesday to Saturday, each in a dedicated quiet time slot without dogs. The Brush Only package costs 99 €, and nail clipping is included.

How often should you brush a British Shorthair?

Outside of shedding season, a British Shorthair needs brushing a few times a week. The British veterinary charity PDSA specifically mentions the breed among cats that need dead hair removed this way. For shorthaired cats in general, the PDSA recommends brushing twice a week. Because of their coat length, daily brushing isn't usually necessary according to the PDSA, except when they're shedding.

The Cornell Feline Health Center takes a different approach: they advise daily combing to keep hairballs to a minimum. Both recommendations work well together if you adjust the routine to suit your cat's situation.

When does the British Shorthair shed the most hair?

A British Shorthair sheds the most hair during shedding season, the time when they lose their coat. For pets in general, the PDSA says this happens in spring and autumn. Extra grooming might therefore be needed during these months.

The PDSA breed description is clear on this: during shedding season, you need to remove loose hair from their thick coat. There isn't a set week in the calendar for this. Just keep an eye out for whether noticeably more hair suddenly gets stuck in the brush when you're grooming them.

What do hairballs have to do with grooming?

Hairballs form because cats swallow a lot of loose hair while grooming themselves. According to the PDSA, cats spend up to half their day grooming. The Cornell Feline Health Center therefore describes hairballs as an unpleasant byproduct of a normal habit.

During shedding seasons, hairballs occur more frequently according to Cornell. A cat coughing up a hairball every week or two is not considered unusual there. Regular brushing and combing is the preventative measure Cornell recommends to owners.

How to get your cat used to being brushed

The PDSA describes the British Shorthair as a mostly relaxed and low-activity breed. According to the PDSA, they might not like being picked up and prefer to keep all four paws on the ground. However, they usually enjoy sitting on your lap, and you can use exactly this for brushing. Every cat is different, so just follow your own pet's lead.

1. Choose a brush or comb that suits your cat's coat type, as the PDSA notes that different coats need different tools.
2. Brush your cat where they're already sitting instead of picking them up to do it.
3. Start with very short sessions for kittens so they get used to being brushed early on.
4. Give treats and praise during and after grooming, just as the PDSA recommends.
5. Always check their skin for parasites while you're at it.

Do a British Shorthair's claws need trimming?

According to the PDSA, healthy young cats don't usually need their claws clipped. It's a different story for older or less mobile cats, as they might not scratch enough to wear their claws down. For these cats, the PDSA recommends checking their paws weekly.

Nail clipping is included in all our cat grooming packages. So there's no need to book it as an extra if your cat is already coming in for a brush, clip or bath.

Does a British Shorthair need regular baths?

The PDSA grooming guide doesn't mention regular baths for British Shorthairs. It only recommends regular bathing for hairless and almost hairless breeds like the Sphynx. That's why a bath isn't a standard part of every groom with us, so you choose it via your package. If you're unsure, we can chat about it before your appointment.

Which package is right for your British Shorthair?

The Brush Only package is perfect if you want to have loose hair removed and don't want a bath. All three packages show starting prices including VAT. You'll get the final, binding price after we've assessed your cat in person before the appointment.

You'll find all details on the Cat grooming at GroomRoom page, and an overview of all services on our pricing page. Read more about the clipping process under Cat clipping in Berlin. According to the PDSA, you shouldn't tackle matted fur at home yourself; find out what helps in Matted cat, what to do.

When does your cat need to see a vet?

Your cat needs to see a vet if they have pain, bleeding, broken skin, noticeable hair loss or severe itching. The Cornell Feline Health Center also lists warning signs that can be mistaken for hairballs. These include lethargy and refusing food for more than a day or two. Repeated unsuccessful retching or actual vomiting should also be examined by a vet without delay, according to Cornell. Grooming in the salon does not replace this examination.

How does the appointment work and how do you get to us?

Your cat gets their own quiet time slot when there are no dogs in the salon. We take breaks and pay close attention to their well-being throughout the groom. The individual steps are described on the How an appointment works page.

Our salon is located at Giesebrechtstraße 2, 10629 Berlin, and we are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. By train, you can reach us via U7 Adenauerplatz (5-minute walk), U1 and U9 Kurfürstendamm (10 minutes). You'll find parking in Giesebrechtstraße and Brandenburgische Straße. General information about cats in the salon can be found in the article Cat groomer Berlin. Once you've decided on your package, you can book your appointment online.