Choosing the best cat brush can seem over-whelming. There are just so many options out there.
From slicker brushes to shedding combs and cat brush gloves, each has its advantages and disadvantages.
So we’ve put together a complete guide to choosing the best brush for your cat.
We’ve got tips to help you choose which brush type to buy, and reviews of our favorite cat brushes in each category. Plus some great grooming advice to help you get the most out of your brush.
Let’s start by looking at why you need to brush your cat at all.
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Do I Need to Brush My Cat?
Even short haired cats benefit from proper, regular grooming.
For cats with medium to long, hair daily brushing is required.
Regular brushing helps keep your cat’s coat shiny and healthy. It removes dead hair and reduces the likelihood of hairballs and matting.
What Kind of Coat Does My Cat Have?
Understanding your cat’s hair length, will help you to select the best grooming tools for their coat.
Hairless Cats
Hairless cats are recognizable by their obvious bald appearance. Most hairless cats do grow some down hair. This should be washed with a cat shampoo.
Short Hair Cats
Cats with hair two inches or shorter are short haired. This includes breeds such as the sleek Siamese and cuddly American Shorthair.
Short hairs require the least amount of grooming – once or twice a week with a grooming glove, shedding comb or slicker brush.
Medium Hair Cats
Sometimes called semi-long haired, cats with hair two inches to four inches are medium length haired cats. The Bengal and American Wirehair fall into this category.
This group of kitties requires daily brushing with a cat slicker brush and shedding comb follow up as needed.
Long Hair Cats
Cats with up to five inches of hair or longer are considered long haired. The regal Persian and handsome Himalayan are long haired breeds.
Long haired cats require daily brushing with a slicker brush and shedding comb or shedding brush.
The Best Cat Brush Gloves
Cat brush gloves come as gloves, mittens or mitts. They are ideally suited for short hairs. They are not suited for detangling.
Cat brush gloves or deshedding gloves have a series of rubber or silicone nubby teeth on one side that run across the palm and fingers.
These work using a petting motion to remove hair and stimulate your cat’s skin.
The Best Cat Brush Glove Style With Fingers
The fingered glove shape allows you the most control when brushing since you can use all your fingers directly. It also means you can give a good massage while brushing.
Some brush-shy cats are also happier being brushed with a glove.
Delomo Deshedding and Pet Grooming Gloves* are sold in pairs which offers a more versatile petting/brushing experience.
They also come in blue or pink, to please the cat fashionista. These gloves are sturdy without being rigid and are machine washable – a big bonus.
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Cat Brush Mittens
Mittens and mitts have a larger surface area which is nice for larger cats. If your hands are small, you may find this style is harder to control and you don’t get the benefit of the whole brushing surface.
PawJoy offers a 2-Pack Grooming Massage Glove and Brush Glove*. The gloves, like most brands, are right-hand only and include an adjustable Velcro strap.
Unlike rubber tips on a grooming glove, the brush glove has tipped metal tines like a traditional cat brush. This glove style can be used for long haired cats but . . . unless your hand can control all the tines at once, you run the risk of snagging and pulling your cat’s hair.
A grooming glove used with a traditional brush is a better combination for long haired cats.
Rubber Cat Brush
Rubber cat brushes, like gloves, have molded rubber teeth and are designed to be cupped in the palm of your hand. These are ideal for short to medium length hair. Just be sure the teeth reach your cat’s skin for that extra massage and stimulation.
Some designs are flexible and some are rigid. Look for styles with a handhold strap for better control. Because these are rubber, you can clean them in warm water – a big plus.
Kong Cat Zoom Groom Brush
The KONG Cat Zoom Groom Brush* is one of the largest rubber brushes available. The downside is that it doesn’t have a handhold strap so it is less comfortable to hold.
Furminator Curry Comb
The FURminator Curry Comb* is rigid and has an excellent ergonomic design making it a comfortable experience for you and kitty.
This is a multi-tool design that includes a series of smaller teeth on the side for finer grooming. Hair does not always get trapped in the teeth so you will need to control the hair as it comes off your cat.
Pixikko Pet Curry Brush
The Pixikko Pet Curry Brush* includes the best features of rubber cat brushes: Comfortable design, good size, and holds the hair in the brush as you use it.
Cat Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes have a brushing head with multiple thin wires mounted in a rubber base. This is the essential tool for long haired cats, as it gets right through to the undercoat and smooths out tangles.
Slicker brushes come with retractable pins or fixed pins.
Best Retractable Pin Slicker Brush For Cats
These are much easier to clean than fixed pin models. After brushing, simply retract the pins with the push of a button and wipe away the hair.
The drawback is that any bent pins will not feed back into the retractable head properly.
Pro Quality Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Pro Quality Self Cleaning Slicker Brush* is a very sturdy design. It’s sized with dogs in mind, so it suits larger cats best.
A big plus is the 5-year warranty which means even if the pins get bent, you can get a replacement without any hassle.
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush* is a better size for all cats and has the same easy cleaning head.
Petseeker Grooming Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
The Petseeker Grooming Self Cleaning Slicker Brush* has coated pins which is ideal for cats with sensitive skin.
Best Fixed Pin Slicker Brush for Cats
Fixed pin slicker brushes come with round or rectangular heads in a variety of sizes. Pull or comb hair out of the brush head for cleaning.
Hartz Slicker Brush
The Hartz Slicker Brush* has round head and rubber coated nylon pins.
This is ideal for long haired cats with sensitive skin or an aversion to brushing. However, if your cat is very large, you might want a brush with a larger head.
Four Paws Magic Coat Wire Brush
The Four Paws Magic Coat Gentle Slicker Wire Brush* is a sturdy brush with a large head. This is ideal for long haired cats prone to matting.
Cat Shedding Brush and Shedding Comb
Shedding brushes and combs allow easy clean up of excess hair after you’ve brushed down to the undercoat. Use this tool in conjunction with slicker brushes for long haired cats.
Furminator deShedding Tool
We love the FURminator deShedding Tool*.
It comes in 4 sizes tailored to your cat’s weight and hair length, and it has a retractable head for easy cleaning.
Chirpy Pets Cat Brush
The Chirpy Pets Cat Brush for Shedding* is another popular and effective model.
This neat little brush also includes a lifetime guarantee.
Joypaws Pet Grooming Brush
Lastly, for a combination approach, the JOYPAWS Pet Grooming Shedding Brush* is a great option. It combines thick stainless steel pins on one side for brushing and a shedding comb on the other side.
This will work well for larger, long haired cats. But might be too rigid and large for smaller or short haired cats.
Cat Brushing Tips
Before brushing, use your fingers to gently remove any tangles you can see and feel and then proceed with regular grooming.
Wait until your cat is lying calmly in your lap or on the floor to start. Let him sniff the brush if he likes.
Beginning at the base of the neck, brush gently with short even strokes always in the direction of hair growth. Apply enough pressure to reach the downy hairs but not so much that you are scraping the skin.
Do not run the brush all the way from the head to the tail in one stroke. The bristles can catch the hair and pull on your cat’s skin.
After you’ve brushed down the back, gently lift or roll your cat over and repeat the same stroking motions on each side. Again, short, even strokes in the direction of hair growth.
Some cats really get into brushing and will roll around and play throughout. That’s great! Just continue brushing until your cat’s hair lays smooth and untangled.After a successful grooming, reward your cat with a tasty treat.
After treats, give your cat some space. Brushing often stimulates the desire to lick and your cat will appreciate being in a comfortable space to finish the cleaning routine.
Special Considerations For Grooming Long Haired Cats
Proper grooming of a long haired cat is essential. You should expect to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes grooming every day.
Compare this with a short haired cat who needs about 5 minutes of grooming a couple of times a week. That’s the price of glamor!
The Right Cat Grooming Tools
A grooming glove is the perfect starting tool. The motion of a grooming glove mimics petting so your cat won’t even know it’s good for him!
For medium and long hairs, you can start with a glove but you should eventually move to a slicker brush to ensure the thicker areas are brushed thoroughly.
Select a slicker brush with coated tips. Exposed tips can irritate the skin if you brush too hard.
Start brushing just the outermost hair. As your cat gets used to it, continue to apply pressure until you reach the downy coat.
The Best Cat Brush For Your Cat
Understanding your cat’s coat, selecting the right tools and getting into a grooming routine will help you and your cat live a happy and healthy life together.
Brushing your cat is an expression of your love. Enjoy this special time bonding with your feline friends.
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
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I wish my big fluffy ginger tom would let me brush him without biting me when I go near his belly or back end!! I have to try your tips, thank you very much