In this guide were are going to look at the best cat brush. Cats are notoriously clean creatures who are great excellent at self-grooming spending around 15% to 50% of the time cleaning themselves on a daily basis.
Due to this, many cat owners may overlook the purpose of a cat brush, but brushing your cat on a regular basis has many benefits for both your cat and your home. Not only can it reduce hairballs but it can also help keep your home clean by reducing shedding.
So if your fed up of vacuuming and brushing cat hair from your clothes and furniture, a cat brush is exactly what you need.
There are a number of different brushes available based upon a number of things such as the length of your cats coat. We conducted extensive research to find the best cat brush in each category.
We also have a section that shows you how to correctly brush your cat, as well as some Frequently Asked Questions.
Best Overall Cat Brush
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The overall winner of our best cat brush is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. Combing out loose hair and dander is a breeze using the extra-fine and slightly bent bristles of the brush.
It also does an excellent job of preventing mats without irritating your cats skin. Within a minute or two of brushing you'll be shocked at how much hair this brush removes. This is hair that would go elsewhere such as on your clothes or the sofa.
Our favorite feature and one you will love too, is the self-cleaning button. After pressing the button it releases all of the cats hair by retracting the bristles.
Another great feature is the comfort-grip handle of the brush which gives you a sturdy and comfortable grip, with an indentation to place your thumb that gives you great control over the brushing process.
It is specially designed in this way to prevent slipping and wrist strain. It also doesn't matter if you have a long-haired or short-haired cat as it works great on both.
Size: 5.8 x 3 x 10 inches
Weight: 3.2 Ounces
Best Runner Up Cat Brush
DakPets Pet Grooming Brush
The DakPets pet grooming brush is recommended by professional pet groomers and vets and does an excellent job of preventing deshedding by up to 95% on cats of all ages.
This means that a regular routine of grooming your cat with this brush will prevent fur from getting all over your home which can be very annoying.
The reason it works so effectively is because the 4-inch stainless steel comb penetrates deep into your cats fur through to the undercoat which removes dead hair. This process will give your cat healthier skin and a shiner coat.
If anything goes wrong or it breaks, the steel comb is actually replaceable. The brush is also made from materials that is not going to irritate your cats skin. It also has benefits for your self with a durable non-slip grip rubber handle.
One of the great things about this brush is that it is very versatile. It works on both dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes with short, medium, or long hair.
Size: 10 x 6 x 2 inches
Weight: 4.95 Ounces
Best Cat Brush For Short Hair
Furbliss Brush
The Furbliss is a Swiss designed brush that is recommended by veterinarians and professional groomers from all over the world.
It is made from durable 100% medical grade silicone that literally attracts fur like a magnet. This versatile brush not provides a gentle, calming massage for your cats coat, but it also removes fur from furniture and clothing.
As it is made from a different material to your average cat brush and is more gentle on their skin, there have been many reports from customers who's cats love being brushed with the Furbliss who usually hate being brushed.
The only real downside is that it doesn't quite hold on to the hair as well as some other brushes like the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush for example. On the plus side, it does work great with all coat types.
Size: 4.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches
Weight: 3.21 Ounces
Best Cat Brush For Long Hair
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is by far the best brush available if you have a long-haired breed of cat.
The stainless steel pins do an effective job at getting deep into the layers of your cats fur through to the undercoat. They are also designed to be gentle which means it's not going irritate or scratch your cats skin.
This brush does a great job of collecting the hair, which can be released at the press of a button which retracts the bristles.
like many other brushes on our list, the Safari Self-Cleaner features a comfortable, non-slip handle that will be easy on your wrists. The only real downside is that this particular cat brush doesn't work great on short-haired cats.
Size: 2 x 5 x 8.75 inches
Weight: 4 Ounces
Best Cat Brush For Shedding
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool
If you are fed up with your cat shedding, then the Furminator is an excellent tool and is a must-have for all cat owners.
It works so well because the stainless steel edge cuts deep into all of your cats layers of fur into the undercoat where it removes hair and dander. It's estimated that it can reduce shedding by up to 90% which means a cleaner home!
If you decide to go with the FURminator, you can decide between a number of different options:
- Small: For small cats with short hair that weigh less than 10 pounds.
- Large: Medium/Large cats with short hair that weigh more than 10 pounds.
- Long Hair: Designed for cats with long hair and can be paired with either the small or large option.
The curved comb works great with the shape of a feline's body and the ergonomic handle feels very sturdy and comfortable to hold.
The only real downside is that it is a little on the expensive side in comparison to other cat brushes. That being said, it is one of the best-loved brushes on the market and is extremely high-quality and long-lasting.
Size: 6.75 x 5.5 x 2.5 inches
Weight: Small: 7.68 Ounces | Large: 8.15 Ounces
Best Cat Brush For Matted Fur
GoPets Dematting Comb
All cat owners will know that matted and tangled fur can be a nightmare. The best solution to this problem is the GoPets Dematting Comb.
This tool is double-sided and has 23 teeth on one side for for controlling shedding and 12 teeth on the other side for removing stubborn matts and tangles.
Don't be alarmed by this brush looking like a garden tool. Although it has very sharp to prevent pulling hairs, it provides your cat a comfortable and pleasant experience with a rounded end that is safe on sensitive skin.
It also works well for the cat owner doing the grooming process by providing a non-toxic, non-slip silicone gel handle that is comfortable and not going to cause you wrist pain. Not to mention an easy to reach self-cleaning button.
Size: 8.9 x 2.5 x 1.4 inches
Weight: 3.52 Ounces
Best Glove Style Cat Brush
Effective Patented Grooming Gloves
If you have a cat that hates to be brushed, then a glove brush is what you need! The reason these work so well is because your cat will think and feel like you are just petting them. This is backed up by many reviews on Amazon.
So while they are lying there relaxed and stress free enjoying being petted, at the same time the grooming are helping you to remove loose hair and clean your cat which provides them with healthy skin and a shiny coat.
The gloves are one size fits all that feature an adjustable strap, made of lightweight but durable material, and are designed to fit both left and right hand.
On the palm you will find 149 pointed and 52 round silicone tips that do an excelent job of removing tangles, loose fur, and mats.
Size: One size fits all
Weight: 4.8 Ounces
Best Comb
Detangling Pet Comb with Long & Short Stainless Steel
The long & short teeth of the Detangling Pet Comb work together to safely eliminate matted fur, knots, and tangles. It is a great choice for medium to long haired cats and is highly recommended by professional groomers.
The teeth of the comb are also made out of super strength durable steel which means it glides through any type of fur with ease, even if your cat has a thick, coarse coat.
A lot of cat owners worry about hurting their kitty during the grooming process. This is why the handle is such an important design. As the Detangling Pet Comb features a non-slip handle to provide a secure grip, you need not worry about harming your cat.
If you have an older cat then this particular product is a great option. The reason being, self-grooming declines more and more the older a cat gets which means matted fur becomes a major issue.
The only real issue we came across is it may not be the best option for a cat who hates being brushed.
Size: 8 x 2 inches
Weight: 3.21 Ounces
What Kind Of Brush Is Best For Cats?
Before choosing a cat brush, you will need to know about the different types to ensure you have the right tool for the job.
Slicker Brushes
Ideal For: Cats with all types of coats who like to be brushed
Feature fine wire teeth which are set at varying angles that do a great job at removing loose hair, dirt, and dander. This brush may not be ideal if your cat has sensetive or damaged skin as it may cause them pain.
Dematting Tools
Ideal For: Long-haired cats
Some cat owners will use scissors to cut out a matt. This can be dangerous for your cat, especially the wriggle to escape and you end up cutting their skin. The solution to this is with dematting tools.
The way they work is by scooping underneath the mat to cut it out using their sharp blades with rounded tips. There special design means it will not cut the skin underneath.
Brush Gloves
Ideal For: Sensitive coats, short coats
Some cats absolutely hate being brushed. The great thing about these gloves is that they are not like your typical brush. Rubbing this over the fur will not only draw out loose hair, it will also feel comforting for your cat as the glove features smaller nibs and bristles.
Bristle Brush
Ideal For: Show cats
If you have a cat who needs to look great such as a show cat, then the bristle brush will beautify and smooth the hair. They work great with all types of coats.
Rubber Brush
Ideal For: Sensitive cats
Rubber brushes are great for sensitive cats because the wide-set rubber teeth remove and detangle hair by gently massaging through.
Deshedding Tools
Ideal For: Cats with undercoats
Cats generally have three different layers of coat which are:
- Guard hair: Top layer
- Down hair: Undercoat
- Awn hair: Middle stage
The coat nearest the skin is the undercoat which is the thickest and most dense layer and is more prone to matting and shedding, especially cats with long hair. Deshedding tools are specially designed to reach deep into the layers to access the undercoat.
Detangling Combs
Ideal For: Medium to long-haired cats
These combs detangle and remove loose hair using their long teeth that glide through your cats coat. If you have a cat who doesn't like to be brushed then this isn't the best type of to use as the teeth of the comb aren't soft.
Pin Brushes
Ideal For: Medium to long-haired cats
Pin brushes are similar to slicker brushes apart from they are less aggressive and have teeth that are spaced more widely. Your cats skin will get a massage by the pins that feature plastic balls.
How To Properly Brush A Cat
Before you even begin brushing your cat, it's important to give them a quick check-over. Do this both visually and with your hands to ensure that they do not have any wounds that's going to cause pain.
It's also to check for for signs of ticks or fleas and you can do this using a fine-toothed flea comb. Do this in the opposite direction in which the fur grows by starting at the tail and working towards the head.
This process process also helps to loosen dead hairs to make the regular brushing easier.
Short-Haired Cats:
- Whichever brush you chose to purchase, start at your cats head and work your way down towards the tail in the same direction that the fur grows.
- Tackle any tangles using a brush or fine-toothed comb.
- Collect the loosened hair using a rubber curry-brush working from the head to the tail. This also helps to massage the skin below.
Long-Haired Cats:
- Gently comb the fur upwards starting from your cats belly or legs.
- Brush the neck hair upwards towards the chin.
- Gently brush the coat on their back downwards on either side of the back by creating a parting in the centre from the head to the tail.
- You can loosen any knots with your hand or use a mat breaker brush.
- All loosened hair should be removed with a curry-brush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Brush My Cat?
Although cats do a great job at self-grooming, it's still important to brush your cat to ensure that there coat is clean and healthy. It's an advantage for the following reasons:
- Brushing removes dead skin cells as well as flaky and dry skin patches. This helps distribute your cats natural skin oils to keep the coat healthy.
- Removes loose fur.
- Helps to keep your home cleaner by removing fur before it sheds which means less cleaning and vacuuming.
- The brushing process also helps you to examine their body scratches, sores, lumps and bumps, and other health issues.
- Senior cats especially need to be brushed because they self-groom less and less as they become older.
Should I Brush Or Comb My Cat?
We recommend that you should both brush and comb your cat. The reason for this is that a comb has fine teeth that is highly effective at detangling, as well as removing fleas and flaky skin.
Some of the other brushes on our list will do a better job at working different layers and help to collect a cats fur. It's always good to have a number of different tools at hand during the brushing process.
Can I Use A Human Brush On My Cat?
Although a human brush is not going to hurt your cat, it's going to do a terrible job as they are not designed for dense cat hair. This means it is not going to penetrate through the layers of a cats coat to remove dead hair from the undercoat which prevents matting.
The other issue of using a human brush on a cat is for your own health benefits. It's possible for you to become infected by your brush if your cat happens to have a skin condition such as ringworm.
How Often Should You Brush Your Cat?
This usually depends on the density and length of your cat:
- Short-Haired Cats: once to twice a week is usually ideal. Any more than this and they could develop bald patches.
- Medium-Haired Cats: Three to four times per week. If they have more thick, dense fur then every day.
- Long-Haired Cats: Daily brushing.
How Long Should A Grooming Session Last?
There are no real set times when it comes to grooming. Some cats love to brushed and they will lye there whilst you brush them. Others absolutely hate being brushed and will only tolerate a short amount of time before they lose their patience.
It all depends on the individual personality of the cat, so just keep a close eye on their body language. If you have a cat that hates being brushed, then brush them more times but in shorter time frames.
How Can I Make Grooming More Pleasant For My Cat?
The key is start as early in their life as possible from when they are a kitten. If you do this then it becomes the norm and they get used to being groomed and handled.
If it's too late to do this then there some other tricks you can use. Make sure your cat is feeling as relaxed as possible. You could even use catnip to help if they get really anxious. You can also some their favorite treats as a bribe.
When Should I Take My Cat To A Professional Groomer?
If your cats fur becomes heavily matted and you just don't feel confident enough to deal with it yourself, it's best to just take them to a professional groomer. This is also the case if you have a cat who hates being brushed and your scared of hurting them.
Conclusion
This best cat brush list will continue to be updated from time to time as we find new products to add to the list. Let us know your cat grooming experience or any tips and tricks that you personally use in the comments section below.
