I have so much to do in the game, perhaps I can get away with not brushing it. Feeding it isn't a problem, lol. Oh I'm not sure if it affects anything negatively but i've noticed when Brushing my cows/sheep (etc). if I just tap the "a" instead of holding it down, It seems to count it as brushing my animals, because the hearts show up over my animals heads. If it "works" this way I won't have to