I brush my cats as often as possible, I brush them all at least once a week. Isha's on great food and doesn't go outdoors, so she has wonderful fur and I never really have a problem with matting due to all that.
I think for long haired cats, it's best to do it every day if you can.
My cats love being brushed. They see me with he brush and they come running. I dont brush them as often as i should. But now that spring is coming i will have to do it more as they shed there winter coats. Oddly I seem to pull more dead hair off my shorthair kitty than the long hair.
I brush Spike every night and he's a DSH. I do it mainly to keep him used to it... he's not thrilled about being brushed, but lately, he's been whining if it gets too late before I ask him if he's ready to be brushed. He just knows he gets a treat afterwards.
I brush Jamie about once a week in winter, and two or three times a week in warmer weather, provided he will hold still. He much prefers being combed with a fine-toothed comb.
I try to brush my kitties at least twice weekly. Max gets brushed several times a day, because every time she hears me brushing my hair, she comes over and demands to be brushed NOW! Even if I just hold the brush still in front of her, she will walk alongside it and then switch so her other side gets brushed too. :tounge2:
I brush my cats every morning, but only because they insist. Whenever I pick up my brush to blow-dry my hair, Barney jumps up on the sink, puts his paws on my chest, and meows until I brush him. I just keep his brush in the bathroom now. Once Fred sees me brushing his brother, he jumps up on the toilet seat and waits for me to brush him too. Not sure why, but they love it. I've gotten so I make sure I have the extra time in the morning to brush them both before I'm allowed to dry my hair.