One of the best ways we can bond with our cat is through grooming. Deciding on what cat brush to use depends on your cat and the type of coat they have. 

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What Is A Cat Brush? Why You Need One

It’s kind of obvious I know, but a cat brush works in the same way a humans hair brush does. In order to maintain healthy neat hair, we must brush our hair regularly. Although cats groom themselves regularly, doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from regular brushing.

Why do cats groom each other? Click on the link to find out, it’s probably not what you think.  

Medium and long hair cats will require you to brush them daily no matter how often they groom. For short hair cats, daily brushing is not required but they can still benefit from daily pampering. 

There are many levels to cat grooming and brushing is only one part of the process, grooming aside, it will also help you build a strong bond with your cat. 

The Best Cat Brush For Grooming

Below I’ll review the best cat brushes you should consider when grooming your cat. Each cat is different and it might take a combination of brushes to get the best results possible.

Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Cat Brush

The Hertzko self cleaning slicker brush is a great allrounder. It features slightly curved metal pins/wires to help penetrate down into your cat’s coat. It manages to do this without irritating most cats skin. I’ve seen cats that don’t typically like to be brushed enjoy the Hertzko. 

The brush is durable, strong, and designed with a comfortable non slip grip handle. It can quickly fill with hair while grooming, which is both good and bad. When you need to clean the hair off, simply push the button on top and wipe off the hair. 

The Hertzko is suitable for all cat hair types, it’s also easily the best overall brush on the market. 

Pros:

• Curved metal wire design penetrates fur easily
• Great for all fur types – especially long haired cats
• Push button self cleaning design
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Brush can fill with hair quickly – Both good and bad
• Sensitive cats might find it irritating

FURminator for Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Dogs & Cats

The Furminator is incredibly popular, and for good reason. It does an excellent job at removing the loose hair beneath the top coat of fur. 

Its curved edge is designed to easily remove hair freely and comfortably from your pet. It does all this without damaging the topcoat, which can be common with other tools. It has a non slip ergonomic handle and when the tool gets full of hair, simply press the button to clean it. 

Cleaning the FURminator with warm water after use will reduce the amount of built up dander collected. The teeth are incredibly precise, if you drop the FURminator be sure to check if they aren’t damaged. Any damage could cause it to be ineffective or even hurt your pet, it does come with safeguard edges to help eliminate this problem.

It’s recommended to brush your pet before using a de-shedding tool, this will help remove any tangles or slight matting. Use long light strokes in the direction of your cats and avoid repeated strokes in the same area. 

Pros:

• Great build quality – Very durable
• Comes in different sizes to suit every cat or dog
• Great customer reviews
• Can reduce shedding by up to 90%

Cons:

• Some short hair cats might not like it

Pet Grooming Glove – Gentle Deshedding Cat Brush Glove

If your cat hates being brushed and runs for the nearest exit at the site a traditional brush, these grooming gloves could be the solution. 

With a literal hands on approach, you can groom your cat while petting them. Featuring 255 silicone grooming tips, the flexible grooming glove allows you to remove debris, loose hair, and dirt. 

The gloves will collect plenty of loose top hair however, it won’t get down into the undercoat. They are good for detangling small knots and freshening up your cat’s coat. When you need to remove the hair from the glove, simply run them underwater and the hair will fall off. Just remember to cover the drain so you don’t fill up your plumbing with pet hair. 

If you’re after a pair of gloves that is available in a range of sizes, the Handson Gloves for Shedding, Bathing, Grooming could be a better choice. 

Pros:

• Suitable for sensitive cats
• Machine washable
• Easy to use
• Keeps top coat healthy

Cons:

• The one size fits all might not fit large hands. 
• Not suitable for matted hair

GoPets Dematting Comb with 2 Sided Professional Grooming Rake for Cats & Dogs

The GoPets de-matting comb is an essential piece of equipment for long haired cat owners. 

It features very sharp, stainless steel blades that cut through the matted fur. The ends of the blades are rounded as to not cut your cats skin when grooming. 

One side of the GoPets rake features 23 teeth designed for de-shedding, and the reverse side that features 12 teeth is used as a mat remover. 

It’s a comfortable tool to use, both for you and your cat. The GoPets is sensitive enough for even the most sensitive cats. Its sharp blades prevent from pulling hair and irritating your cat, which means less wriggling around. 

Pros:

• Perfect for long haired cats
• Dual purpose tool
• Suitable for sensitive skin cats
• Great build quality

Cons:

• Some customers remark on dull blades
• Can get messy with fur stuck to handle

Andis Pet Steel Comb

The Andis steel comb is a budget friendly tool that will help you stop matting before it happens. It’s very good at detangling fur, removing mats, and clearing out dirt. When working out mats, you’ll want to use the wide set of teeth on the comb. If your cat has short hair, it’s a good idea to use the narrow teeth end. 

The Andis is easy to work into those sensitive areas such as the face or inner legs. Made from stainless steel, it’s a durable comb that should last a very long time. It makes for a great addition to the more sophisticated de-matting tools, combine this with the FURminator for the ultimate in grooming. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Easy and effective
• Made from stainless steel
• Suitable for all cats
• Can be used as a shedding comb

Cons:

• The large comb can be bulky
• Need to make sure it’s the ANDIS branded comb

Hertzko Pet Bath & Massage Cat Brush Grooming Comb 

The Hertzko Pet Bath is designed to be able to be used when your pet is wet or while bathing them. Seeing how most cats don’t like water, I’ll base this review on using it when dry. 

Hairless cats or breeds like the Peterbald will require you to bathe them regularly. You’ll need to provide the best cat shampoo possible so you don’t irritate their skin.

It features soft rubber nubs or bristles that attract and catch loose hair, whether that fur is dry or wet. If you need to clean the fur off the brush, it’s as simple as running it under some water and away you go. 

When grooming, it’s very easy to hold and comfortable with long term use. Suitable for cats with any hair type, yes, even bald cats. It would act more like a massage to our bald feline friends. 

If you’re using it for bathing your bald cat, the design of the brush helps work soap into the roots of what little hair they do have. 

Pros:

• Massaging effect for your cat
• Picks up loose hair
• Suitable when bathing your cat
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Won’t get rid of matting

HaloVa Pet Comb, Professional Double Sided Pin & Bristle Bamboo Cat Brush

The HaloVa dual sided pet comb is a handy grooming brush, featuring a soft bristle side to smooth out the coat after grooming.

The wire brush has rounded edges for your cat’s safety, while the bristle side is soft enough for cats with sensitive skin. The wooden handle feels comfortable in the hand and is not too heavy. It is a little bulky and can be tricky to get into those hard to reach places. 

Suitable for cats with short, medium, or long hair, although it’s not super effective for heavy shedders. It will help with matting, de-shedding, and regular fur maintenance. 

If you ever have a problem with the brush they offer a replacement guarantee, lifetime warranty, and if after 90 days you are not happy with it you can return it for a full refund.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Dual purpose
• Suitable for all hair types
• Bamboo handle
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Can be a bit bulky

Why It’s Important To Brush Your Cat

Brushing your cat has many benefits, below I’ll give you a run down of the importance of regular brushing. Some of the reasons may surprise you. 

Bonding While Inspecting

Use this time to bond with your cat, you should also give them plenty of praise if they are being well behaved. I know my cats think brushing is playtime, if you have to, distract them with a cat toy while you continue brushing. 

You should also use this time to run through your cat’s fur and look for any abnormalities. Check for fleas, ticks, matting, feces, dry skin, or anything out of the ordinary.

Besides all this, why do cats purr when being groomed? Surely, they love the massage and attention, right?

Reducing Hairballs

When cats groom themselves, did you know they can ingest ⅔ of the fur they shed? Yep, and this fur doesn’t always pass through their digestive system and is why cats produce hairballs. 

Short hair cats won’t suffer as much but those medium to long hair cats need daily brushing. So save your kitty some hassle and brush daily to reduce the amount of hair they ingest. 

Less Fur – Less Cleaning

Every time I brush my cat, I’m surprised by the amount of fur collected. With all that fur you’ve collected, you’ll notice less fur throughout the home, on your clothes and furniture. Regular brushing also helps to reduce those pesky cat allergy symptoms.

Help Fight Against Matting

Matting is horrible and without regular brushing, long haired cats can develop heavily tangled, matted clumps in their fur. If they do develop, they can be very difficult to remove and a nuisance for your cat. 

Prevention is the best medicine, in this case, just make sure to select the right type of brush for your cat. If your cat already suffers from matting, there is a specific brush that will enable you to remove matting yourself. For severe cases please see a vet. 

Types Of Cat Brushes

As I’ve mentioned before, there are many types of cat brushes available. Below I’ll run you through the different types, and list out some pros and cons for each type. 

Slicker Cat Brush

A slicker brush is designed for medium and even long haired cats. Slicker’s are designed with very thin wire teeth ranging in angles. They’re very good at getting rid of debris, knots, loose hair and mats. With the ability to get deep into the fur, they’re extremely useful for removing malting hair.  

Ideal for cats with a thick coat such as a Ragdoll or Mainecoon. 

Pros:

• Good for detangling fur
• Helps prevents matting
• Great all round brush

Cons:

• Not all cats will like the feeling
• Can irritate sensitive skin 

Dematting Cat Brush

Dematting brushes or tools are specifically designed for fur that is prone to matting. Equipped with sharp blades that safely cut and remove any matting in the fur. They are quick and easy to use, and won’t damage your cat’s fur. 

With a few designs to choose from, pick one that will suit your cat and the type of fur they have. 

Pros:

• Safe removal of matting
• Some designs are dual purpose

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Suitable for long hair cats only

Grooming Gloves & Mitts

Grooming gloves took the internet by storm a few years ago, we’ve all seen the videos. These are suitable for cats who don’t really fancy a brushing. The gloves feature rubber nubs throughout the palm area, as you stroke your cat the mitt will pick up the loose hair on your cat. 

It’s more suitable for easy maintenance, freshening up your cat’s coat and getting rid of loose hair. It won’t give the same deep groom as a traditional brush would and definitely won’t help with any serious matting. 

Pros:

• A sneaky way to “brush” your cat without them noticing
• Easy to use
• Can also remove fur from furniture

Cons:

• Typically only available in one size
• Picks up mostly surface hair
• Not suitable for de matting

Rubber Brushes

Rubber brushes are really only useful for removing loose fur and detangling small knots. Their teeth are made from, yep, you guessed it, rubber. 

Ideal for a kitty massage, the soft and gentle rubber brushes are spaced further apart. They’re an alternative to cats who are sensitive to brushing. 

Pros:

• Cheap
• Suitable for sensitive cats
• Can use on all cats

Cons:

• Only takes off loose hair
• Not suitable for heavily matted hair
• Not as effective as a traditional brush

Deshedding Rakes & Brushes

If you keep finding piles of fur throughout your home and you own a long haired cat, a de-shedding rake could be the brush for you. It’s designed with thin metal teeth to penetrate your cat’s thick undercoat.

It will remove any loose fur stuck under the top layer of fur and help eliminate those piles of hair in your home. It will also prevent future matting, and help your cat to maintain a healthy coat. 

Pros:

• Prevents matting
• Very effective
• Can be used on short, medium and long haired cats

Cons:

• Sensitive cats might be irritated by brushing

Pin Brushes

Pin brushes typically have a protective ball on the end of the pins. With wider spaced bristles, they are designed for cats with long thick hair. These brushes are good for removing any loose hair and debris. 

It’s a good option if you have a long haired cat that doesn’t like to be brushed to aggressively

Pros:

• Gentle
• Wide bristles
• Can help prevent matting

Cons:

• Not as effective for getting loose hair
• Won’t remove heavy matting

Bristle Brushes

Think of the bristle brush as more of a pampering tool. The synthetic bristles will help make your cat’s coat shiny by spreading the natural oils our cats produce. It will smooth out your cat’s coat and can be used daily as a touch up tool. 

Manufacturers will often pair the bristle brush with a pin brush for a multi tooled grooming brush. The bristle brush won’t penetrate your cat’s coat, instead, it will only remove any loose fur on top of your cat’s fur. 

Pros:

• Good for smoothing out fur
• Spreads healthy oils

Cons:

• Won’t penetrate fur
• Only removes surface hair
• Won’t help with detangling fur

How To Choose The Right Cat Brush

Like anything, each brush is going to have its pros and cons. When choosing the right brush for you and your cat, it’s important to take in the following considerations. 

Quality & Effectiveness

Considering you’re going to be using the brush every day, or every other day you’ll want to make sure the brush is high quality. We’ve all heard the saying, buy cheap buy twice. 

First off, make sure the brush is comfortable and has a good quality handle. You should check to see its effectiveness is suitable to your cat’s hair type. Has it been repeatedly tested and does it have good customer reviews? Will it do the job you want it to do? 

Cat Hair Type

Your cat’s hair will determine the type of brush you should consider, and your grooming routine. 

Hairless cats do grow a small amount of down hair, rather than a brushing routine you should consider a suitable cat shampoo. 

You should use a slicker brush, shedding comb, and shedding brush for your medium or long haired cat.

Short haired cats require grooming about 2 – 3 times a week. You should use a grooming glove or mitt, a shedding comb, or a slicker brush. Cats with hair of 2 inches or less are considered to have short hair, such as the Siamese. 

Medium and long haired cats require daily grooming and brushing. The Bengal is known as a medium haired cat, while the Mainecoon is known as a long haired cat.

The Design

I’m not talking about the overall appearance of the brush, although some owners do want a brush that looks nice. When considering the design you should look at things like teeth, bristle or pin spacing and is the hairbrush easy to clean. 

Cat Grooming Tips

Grooming should be a relaxing time for both you and your furry friend. You should pick a suitable time and place to groom your cat, for example, after play time or before bed.

Keep the first grooming sessions to around 5 – 10 minutes, once they get used to the routine you can slowly increase grooming time. If your cat doesn’t fancy being held, try and create a perch or stand where they can be groomed from. 

Brushing Tips

To keep your cats fur in purr-fect condition, regular brushing sessions are required. It removes dirt, debris, loose fur and helps spread their natural oils through their coat. 

Start by rubbing your hands over their coat, checking for any tangles or skin issues. Once all clear use a metal comb and work through the fur from head to tail. Finally, use a slicker or bristle brush to remove shedded hair and any remaining loose hair. Just watch out for those sensitive areas. 

Tip: Give your cat some treats while grooming, they’ll let you groom for longer. 

Always follow the hair direction of your cat, never brush against the hair. If you encounter matted hair, be patient these can sometimes be sensitive for your cat when removing. Use the appropriate tools to remove any mats, such as a metal comb and matting rake. 

Start Small 

If it’s your cats first time being groomed, It’s suggested to start off brushing small areas. As they get used to the routine, you can gradually expand the area of brushing and grooming. Grooming the tummy of cats can often cause your cat to get upset. 

If your cat does try to play or scratch when grooming the stomach, stop and allow them to calm down. Give them a treat and gradually move toward the stomach again, if they persist leave it for another time. You can also try using a glove or brushing mit if they continue to act up when grooming the belly. 

The Best Cat Brush Winner

Choosing only one brush as a winner was difficult because it often takes a combination of grooming tools to get the job done. Not only that, it also depends on the hair type of your cat. 

Still, I think it’s a stand out among the brushes, and one that I think is needed by all cat owners. 

I would like to mention that the FURminator for Dogs Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Dogs & Cats, was a close runner up. The only reason I didn’t pick it as the winner was that it’s more of a specialty tool.   

Last update on 2023-10-04 at 03:37 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API