Why does kitty insist on brushing the sides of his face?

[lovemycats2]

At night when they get brushed, one kitty demands to stand there and brush the sides of his face by himself while I hold the brush.  He rubs his face on the brush like he is marking it.  He also even opens up his mouth a little bit.  It looks like he is also trying to brush his teeth.  He will press really hard sometimes and I will have to move the brush away to release some of the pressure because I'm afraid that he will go too hard and irritate his skin.  He brushes his face and chin.  Is he trying to brush his teeth or does this just feel good to him? 

 

[bigperm20]

He's just marking, and enjoying being groomed. Every cat I've ever owned loved to be petted on their cheeks. This one is just unique.

 

[mschauer]

I think it just feels good. One of mine loves to be brushed and she especially loves it when I hold the brush so she can rub her face and mouth on it.

 

[luvmyparker]

Yeah my cat LOVES my hair brush. He pushes on it REALLY hard. I assume if it hurt or bothered him he wouldn't do it. I wouldn't worry if I were you. He obviously loves it. 

 

[aeevr]

totally normal behavior.

My theory as to why: that's a part of their body that is difficult to self-groom and brushing feels like grooming/licking. When my cats wash each other they go for each others faces first. The cat getting the licking looks really happy.

 

[AbbysMom]

Abby is the same way. :nod:

We bought one of these and she loves it!

 

[riccadawn]

Yup, all 3 of mine also do the same thing. Must feel realllly good to them. Miles even does it to other objects - like my fingers or my feet (shoes off OR on).

 

[lovemycats2]

That really is a nice cat brush there! 

If Kitty enjoys brushing his face (and teeth) so much then OK!!! 

 

[ldg]

All of our kitties absolutely LOVE being brushed. :lol3: That said, Shel and Spooky are like your baby - Shel won't brush himself, but pushes against the brush REALLY hard. Spooky, on the other hand, likes it when we hold the brush and she brushes herself.

I don't know how old your kitty that does this is, or when he last had a dental (or if he's had one). Spooky has the worst teeth of all of our cats. She had to have her first tooth removed at just one year old, and her plaque builds up really quickly - and we brush her teeth she loves it so much. :lol3: She needs dentals every six months (she's now ten, and has a total of four teeth, I think it is, removed over the years). As we approach her dental being due, she likes her gums "massaged" more and more.

Your kitty may just love having his cheeks rubbed really hard, and having his gums massaged. But if he hasn't had a dental recently, that's something to consider, just to make sure. :nod:

 

[whollycat]

Abby is the same way.

We bought one of these and she loves it!

This is pretty cool: My Abby (boy kitty) also does this and I got him the same exact groomer, AbbysMom!

Prior to this groomer I would give Abby used hair brushes because he loved rubbing his cheeks, chin, and teeth on them.

 

[ldg]

When we lived in a house and had the space for it, we had this one: http://cdn.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/cat-spaimg_assist_custom.jpg

Spooky LOVED it!

 

[riccadawn]

When we lived in a house and had the space for it, we had this one: http://cdn.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/cat-spaimg_assist_custom.jpg
Spooky LOVED it!

That thing is *weird* looking. If I came into someone's house and saw that, I'm not sure what I would think lol. It's just not immediately identifiable as a cat toy/groomer

 

[catsthelife]

Yeh nothing to worry about like its been said if it hurt your cat they wouldn't do it My cats dont really like being brushed but are more than happy to rub their cheeks on everything with a corner hehe

 

[ldg]

That thing is *weird* looking. If I came into someone's house and saw that, I'm not sure what I would think lol. It's just not immediately identifiable as a cat toy/groomer

:lol3: It's basically a round thing with five different types of "combs" on it. :lol3:

 

[nanner]

Well, I see that I am definitely not the only one who has a cat that loves this!! Whenever it's time to brush Larry - he knows where the brushes are kept and sees me reaching for them - he comes running. I'll give him the baby brush I have and he holds it in his front paws and brushes his own jowls and mouth and chin while I concentrate on the rest of him. :lol3:

 

[AbbysMom]

When we lived in a house and had the space for it, we had this one: http://cdn.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/cat-spaimg_assist_custom.jpg

Spooky LOVED it!

We used to have one of those for Molly! :lol3:

 

[angels mommy]

Angel loves to do that too!  I was brushing the little neighbor kitty the other day (w/ her own brush) & she would grab the back of the brush, & do that too. Cute!

 

[lovemycats2]

I haven't had kitty for a dental, but I definately keep a close eye on his teeth and gums.  I am on a tight budget so I am so very happy so witness that he and his teeth are in great shape.  He's 17 and a senior and is quite cooperative as he is quite the mellow fellow.  He has had an excellent attitude about everything throughout his life and is a champion.  So maybe he would allow me to brush his teeth with a very soft brush and water.  I don't know.  I would have to research how it's done because I have never brushed a cats teeth before.  

 

[angels mommy]

I haven't had kitty for a dental, but I definately keep a close eye on his teeth and gums.  I am on a tight budget so I am so very happy so witness that he and his teeth are in great shape.  He's 17 and a senior and is quite cooperative as he is quite the mellow fellow.  He has had an excellent attitude about everything throughout his life and is a champion.  So maybe he would allow me to brush his teeth with a very soft brush and water.  I don't know.  I would have to research how it's done because I have never brushed a cats teeth before.  

If you go to Pet Smart, they have a great cat toothpaste (enzyme) & brush set. ($9.00-$11.00 I think? but last a while).  It also comes w/ the little rubber

finger thimble w/ nubs, but I think it's to big for a cats mouth. I use the little brush it comes w/ instead.  Angel is pretty good about letting me do it.

It helps that he LOVES the malt flavor.

  I call it his "Brush,Brush treat!" (I tried another toothpaste from Petco once & he hated it!!)

The brush is soft, but I still run it under hot water first, to soften it even more. I put a little extra on the brush, & let him lick some off first, that helps.

I start w/ the front "fangs" to get him used to it again, then move back from there.

I also let him lick any up around the opening of the tube, to clean it up for me.

 When I first started doing it, I would set him up on top of the washing machine,

and that was a good height to work from. Now, I can just set on the floor w/ him & do it.

Maybe I will have to try & get someone to tape me doing it, & I'll post it for you.   

Best of luck!!

 

[lovemycats2]

Thanks.  I think that Kitty will be fine letting me brush his teeth as long as I don't try to open his mouth.  Perhaps, Ill just run the brush or the little finger thimble around his teeth naturally.