Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Sometimes brushing your cat can be a challenge, especially if you use the wrong brush. The first time I adopted a long-haired cat, I had a difficult time keeping him free of mats. It took months, but I finally found brushes that worked for his thick fur. I also learned a lot about cat brushes and the importance of brushing your cat, whether short-haired or long-haired.
In this guide, we’ll discuss 12 different cat brushes and deshedding tools, which fur types they work best on, and how to choose the best brush or deshedding tool for your cat.
At a Glance: Best Cat Brushes & Deshedding Tools
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Works well for any coat type
- Push button makes the brush easy to clean
- Sturdy and durable
Hartz Groomer's Best Slicker Brush
- Small but removes hair effectively
- Ventilation hole lets the brush contour to your cat’s body
- Pins are covered with small beads to prevent scratching your cat’s skin
Safari Cat Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Push button removes fur easily
- Pins are softer on the skin than most slicker brushes
- Very comfortable to hold
GoPets Professional Double-Sided Pin & Bristle Brush
- Effectively detangles and removes loose hair
- Bristle side helps desensitize scared cats to being brushed
- Large, comfortable handle
HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming
- Collects hair as you pet your cat
- Effectively removes fur
- Short hair is removed easily from the gloves
FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
- Effectively desheds your cat’s coat
- Comfortable to hold
- Cats like the brush
Frisco Dematting Double-Sided Rake
- Safely removes mild matting
- Effectively removes mats
- Double-sided and collects a lot of fur
POODLIE Double-Sided Pet Comb
- Prevents matted hair when used regularly
- Removes fur effectively
- Metal material is easy to disinfect if needed
Kong ZoomGroom
- Gentle brush for sensitive or picky cats
- Works on short and long-haired cats
- Comfortable to hold
Mars Boar Bristle Cat Brush
- Soft bristles for desensitizing cats to grooming
- Cats enjoy the feeling of the brush
- Can be used to dust off a cat’s coat or as a bonding tool
Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Toy
- Provides mental enrichment
- Cats enjoy rubbing against it
- Comes with adhesive strips to secure the brush to the wall
Safari Flea Comb for Cats
- Removes fleas effectively
- Makes it easy to see down to your cat’s skin
- Easy to clean
Why Brush Your Cat?
All cats should be brushed around once a week, though some long-haired cats need more frequent brushing or combing to keep them free of mats. Matted fur is painful, especially when it occurs close to the skin. Severe matting can also cause bruising, skin infections, and other skin problems. Mats also provide a place for debris and even pests to hide out.
Brushing also distributes your cat’s natural oils throughout the coat and skin. Brushing double-coated cats is especially important as it removes loose undercoat, allowing the cat’s coat to properly insulate them from winter cold and keep them cool in the summer by allowing air flow to the skin.
As an added benefit for humans, brushing removes shedding hair, which means less shed hair around the house and on your clothes. Removing loose hair also helps to cut down on hairballs.
Why Trust Cats.com
I’ve tested many brushes since adopting my first cats more than 16 years ago. With seven cats myself, I know every cat has a different coat type and personal preferences. This article covers a range of brushes, even non-traditional picks like grooming gloves.
I tested each brush with at least three cats in my household. Every applicable brush was used on both short-haired and long-haired cats to see which coat types it could handle. I also evaluated my own comfort while using the brush, how my cats felt about it, and how much hair it collected.
Top Picks Explained
This article has been updated with some new brushes and grooming tools. However, we still love Mallory’s picks from the video.
Top 12 Best Cat Brushes and Deshedding Tools
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while the Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush is our top choice, another brush may be better suited to your unique cat. To help you choose the right brush for your cat, we’ve broken down our recommendations by brushes for short-haired cats, brushes for long-haired cats, and other key considerations.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I tested this brush on multiple short-haired and long-haired cats with great results. The brush is large and heavy, which I thought might be a problem with my smaller cats, but every cat in the house enjoys this brush. Even some of my more reluctant cats accepted brushing for longer than normal, which shows me that it’s a true hit.
The brush has a large handle and an easy-to-operate button to remove the hair. It gathers hair more quickly than other slicker brushes I’ve used and compacts the fur well, allowing you to brush your cat longer between each hair removal. After weeks of use, I’ve noticed no damage or fur trapped inside the mechanism.
This brush is sturdy, is popular with my cats, and provides great value for its price. If you’re concerned about the size of the brush, Chewy does offer a smaller version on the product page, but Amazon only offers the regular size. My cats enjoy the pins on slicker brushes, but if yours doesn’t, Amazon offers a “sensitive skin” version that might work better for you.
What We Liked
- Easy to use and clean
- Sturdy and durable
- Large handle that makes brushing easy
- Works on short-haired and long-haired cats
What We Didn’t Like
- This version of the brush is large and relatively heavy, which might not be ideal for some people’s hands or their cats
- The pins on this version might irritate cats with sensitive skin
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
This brush is small but gets the job done. I liked it much better for my smaller cats, which weigh less than 10 pounds, than I did for the larger cats, which weigh 15 to 20 pounds. Brushing them with this one is time consuming, but doable.
This brush is comfortable to hold, and the beads at the end of the bristles are soft against the cats’ skin. If your cat is sensitive to the harsher bristles of a typical slicker brush, this is a great pick.
However, the brush does pull a bit on thick or very long fur. This really bothered some of my cats, while others seemed to like the sensation. I also found it difficult to remove fur from the center of the brush.
What We Liked
- Covered bristles great for sensitive skin
- Comfortable to hold
- Affordable
What We Didn’t Like
- Small size means it takes a while to brush larger cats
- Difficult to completely remove fur from the brush
- Pulls at thick and long fur
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I used this on both my short-haired and long-haired cats, and it worked very well. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as the only brush if your cat has thick, long fur, since it doesn’t detangle down to the skin like a comb might.
The Safari self-cleaning slicker brush was easy to use and comfortable to hold. It has a push button for cleaning that takes minimal effort, so it would work well for someone with bad wrists like myself. I did catch my finger once while emptying the brush, but the mechanism doesn’t seem strong enough to risk an injury.
The bristles feel softer than most slicker brushes I’ve used, which is another plus as they won’t scratch your cat’s skin. However, they also seem to bend out of shape more easily.
What We Liked
- Easy-to-press button that removes fur completely
- Gentle bristles compared to your average slicker brush
- Grooves on the handle make it comfortable to hold
What We Didn’t Like
- The bristles bend easily
- Easy to catch your fingers between parts while emptying fur
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I will always recommend a pin brush for long-haired cats. The first time I used one was a total game-changer because it detangles the coat down to the skin, even for cats with long and thick fur. This prevents the common issue where the top of the coat looks thoroughly brushed, but there are mats hidden closer to the skin.
The GoPets double-sided pin and bristle brush is great for cats that struggle with being brushed. You can desensitize them using the bristle brush, then move onto the pin brush as they get comfortable. The bristle brush can also be used to dust away debris from the top of the coat or shine the coat after brushing.
This is a large brush but my smaller cats didn’t mind it, and it worked very well for my 20-pound cat. The extra length is helpful when he tries to swat playfully at me as I brush his stomach. The one thing I disliked about this brush was that it didn’t contain the fur well. The handle seemed to attract the fur, which meant that I had to stop brushing to gather it up.
What We Liked
- Pin brush detangles fur and prevents matting
- Large, comfortable handle
- Good for desensitizing cats to brushing
What We Didn’t Like
- Might be too large for tiny cats
- Doesn’t contain fur well
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
These HandsOn grooming gloves have soft spikes that collected an unexpected amount of fur from my senior cat with thin fur and some balding on his back. The collected fur peeled right off the glove in one piece, which I appreciated.
When tested on my long-haired cats, the fur didn’t come off so smoothly and I found it frustrating to remove. However, the gloves still collected a fair amount of hair and the cats enjoyed the process. The flexibility of the gloves allow them to reach tough areas, like beneath a cat’s armpits, easily, though I don’t think the spikes are long enough to reach down to the skin and prevent matting in these places.
Many of my cats seemed to prefer the gloves to a normal brush, and I think they would work well to ease reluctant cats into being brushed. You could even use them as the sole brush for short-haired cats.
What We Liked
- Comfortable to wear
- Effectively removes fur
- Easy to clean if your cat is short-haired
- Sold in five sizes from junior to extra large
What We Didn’t Like
- Longer fur sticks to the glove, making cleanup longer
- Doesn’t reach down to the skin on cats with longer hair
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The FURminator deshedding tool removes hair well. The blade on the brush doesn’t touch your cat’s skin, but works to remove some of their undercoat to reduce shedding. It’s best used seasonally around your cat’s shedding season, which typically happens in the spring and fall.
My cats liked this brush and wanted more when I was finished, since I couldn’t spend too long brushing each area. Overusing this type of brush can damage your cat’s undercoat, which affects the coat’s appearance and function, including their ability to control their body temperature.
I did have problems with the “FURejector” button on the brush not removing fur when pressed and found it easiest to remove the fur myself. Since the brush doesn’t hold much fur, it does fly everywhere. This brush works well but is pricy when compared to their competition.
What We Liked
- Effectively removes fur to reduce shedding
- Comfortable to use
- Cats like the brush
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
- Fur removal button doesn’t work well
- Can damage the coat if overused
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Dematting rakes work well to work out small mats in your cat’s fur. This double-sided rake by Frisco has smooth sides and rounded edges to avoid cutting your cat by mistake, while the interior blades cut through fur with ease. Since the rake is double-sided, it’s quick and easy to switch sides if one is full of fur and you’re currently working out a mat.
My cats rarely get mats these days, so I wasn’t able to test this brush’s abilities in that department. However, many reviews praise its ability to remove mats. It did remove a lot of fur from my long-haired cat, Grumpy. I imagine that, like deshedding tools, the blades can damage the undercoat if overused. I only brushed him for a short period for testing purposes and highly recommend switching to a pin brush or comb once mats have been worked out.
If your cat is heavily matted, please see an experienced cat groomer or veterinarian rather than trying to solve the problem at home. Trying to brush through large mats with any tool will cause your cat pain and risks injuries to the skin.
What We Liked
- Safer than scissors
- Effectively removes mats
- Double-sided and collects a lot of fur
What We Didn’t Like
- Might pull fur and isn’t suited for large mats
- Fur goes everywhere as the tool doesn’t hold onto it well
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The Poodlie double-sided pet comb reaches down to the skin to prevent tangles or mats from forming in your cat’s coat. It has a comfortable handle and tends to remove a lot of hair that’s missed by other brushes.
Combs can be difficult to work through a coat that hasn’t been pre-brushed, so I like to use a pin brush first. This works out any tangles so that the comb can give your cat that finishing touch.
The only issues I have with the comb are aesthetic, as it did come looking a bit dirty. Some debris wiped away easily, but I wasn’t able to get it completely clean.
What We Liked
- Prevents mats from forming in the coat
- Removes fur effectively
- Metal material is easy to disinfect if needed
What We Didn’t Like
- Minor aesthetic flaws
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
KONG is a sturdy brand and this brush seems like it will hold up well. It works on short-haired and long-haired cats, and my cats seem to love it as the rubbery spikes massage their skin. This could work well as the only brush for a picky short-haired cat, or even one with thin, long hair. I don’t think it’d keep my cat with very thick fur mat-free, however.
The brush is comfortable to hold and easy to use. When I was brushing, most of my cats’ hair accumulated near the base of their tail. I found it easiest to just scoop it up with the side of the brush, and this worked well once I got the hang of it.
What We Liked
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Works on short and long-haired cats
- Comfortable to hold
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t contain fur very well
- Probably won’t work as well for very thick coats
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
My cats loved the feeling of the Mars bristle brush and it provided us with a good bonding experience. Use it as a desensitization tool if you want to eventually work up to a different style of brush or for brushing debris off of cats that have been outdoors.
It won’t remove shed hair very effectively, and definitely won’t work through any tangles or mats in the coat. The wooden handle is comfortable in my hand but is small, so people with larger hands might find it small. It seems very sturdy and looks like it was built to last.
What We Liked
- Soft bristles for desensitizing cats to grooming
- Cats enjoy the feeling of the brush
- Can be used to dust off a cat’s coat or as a bonding tool
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not demat or detangle fur as stated in the Amazon description
- Does not effectively remove hair
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
This Catit self-grooming brush is loved by my cats, but I can’t say it’s effective. Two of my cats rub against it often, but after weeks it’s accumulated very little hair. I’ve also noticed they rub their cheeks and not their entire bodies on it, though your cat might react differently.
It comes with adhesive strips for an easy set-up. Though some reviewers have trouble with the brush falling off of the wall, I haven’t had that issue myself, and using a stronger adhesive seems to fix the problem.
The brush also comes with a tiny bag of catnip, which can be placed inside of the brush to encourage your cat to rub against it and learn how to use it. The brush can be removed from the wall attachment for easy cleaning.
I would recommend this brush for enrichment or perhaps to get your cat used to the concept of being brushed, but not for removing their undercoat or combing long-haired cats. Unfortunately, you really do have to brush your cat yourself for the best result!
What We Liked
- Cats enjoy rubbing against it
- Comes with catnip to encourage use
- Comes with adhesive strips to secure the brush to the wall
- Easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t remove hair
- Cannot be the only brush for long-haired cats
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
This flea comb has more than 300 ratings and sits securely at five stars on Chewy. Although my own cats thankfully don’t have fleas, many reviews state that the brush works well for removing them. It also worked well at removing dandruff from one of my cats, so it does pick up small particles.
One reviewer mentioned that it’s difficult to get through long hair and I did have the same experience with my thick-haired cat, but not my long-haired cats with thinner fur. The brush tugs at the fur a bit on all cats, but I’m not sure it’d effectively remove fleas if it didn’t.
Since the comb is metal, it cleans well and would be easy to disinfect between brushing cats.
This is a great flea comb for those who need one, but the primary way to deal with fleas is to keep your cat on a parasite preventative from your veterinarian. Or, keep them indoors where the chances of pests are much lower.
What We Liked
- Effectively removes fleas from the coat
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like
- None
10 Types of Cat Brushes
Since every cat is unique, cat brushes aren’t one size fits all. When choosing a brush for your cat, first think about their coat type. Is it short or long? Thick or thin?
Next, you’ll want to consider their comfortability with being brushed and whether they have sensitive skin. Some brushes, like grooming gloves and rubber brushes, are better suited to picky cats.
1. Slicker Brushes
Slicker brushes are good for cats of all coat types, though they shouldn’t be the only brush for a long-haired cat. I like to begin with a slicker and move on to a pin brush and comb to ensure all of the tangles are removed.
Slicker brushes are popular for good reason, and most cats enjoy them. Some cats don’t like the scratchiness of the wire pins, but purchasing a brush with small beads at the end of each pin solves this problem.
2. Self-Cleaning Brushes
Self-cleaning brushes are good for ease of use, for cats that don’t tolerate long brushing sessions, and for those that like to run circles around the room while you brush them. (Or is that just my cat?) A press of a button removes the fur from the brush, allowing you to keep moving quickly. Most self-cleaning brushes on the market are slicker brushes.
3. Deshedding Tools
Deshedding tools are best for cats with thick hair and best used during your cat’s shedding season in the spring and fall. Using a deshedding tool to remove your cat’s undercoat will help stop mats from forming and will allow airflow through the coat so that it can function properly and keep your cat cool in the summer. Their blades can remove too much undercoat if overused, however, so it’s best to only go over each area a few times.
4. Pin Brushes
Pin brushes typically have wider-spaced bristles than slicker brushes and have pins at the end of their bristles. This makes them more comfortable for some cats, but also less effective at collecting all of their shed fur. Best used on long-haired cats, these brushes can remove slight tangles in the fur to prevent mats from building up in the coat. Their longer bristles are also more effective at brushing down to the skin than slicker brushes.
5. Combs
Combs are for long-haired cats, especially those with very long and thick fur, to prevent mats from developing. Not all long-haired cats will need to be combed, but those who do will need it done regularly. Remember to never try to comb through mats in the coat as this will hurt your cat and make them dislike being brushed. If your cat has small mats a good distance from the skin, they can be removed with a dematting tool.
If your cat has large mats close to the skin, you’ll need to visit a groomer with cat experience or a veterinarian who can safely shave their fur. Please do not try cutting or shaving mats from your cat yourself, as without experience, you might cause severe injuries.
6. Dematting Tools
Dematting tools have rounded edges to protect your cat’s skin and sharp blades on the inside to cut away mats in the coat. Dematting tools should only be used on small mats that aren’t too close to the skin. Please keep in mind that these tools must be used carefully and slowly. Brushing too fast can pull at your cat’s skin, which might already be sore from the matting.
7. Grooming Gloves
Grooming gloves are great for cats that dislike brushing but enjoy being petted. You simply put them on your hand and pet your cat as normal, while the soft spikes on the fingers and palm of the glove brush through your cat’s coat. Use them to desensitize any cat to grooming or to brush your short-haired cat. Keep in mind that long-haired cats usually need a longer brush or comb to brush down to the skin and prevent matting.
8. Ubber Brushes
Rubber brushes are comfortable against your cat’s skin and effectively remove fur. They don’t tend to contain the fur well, which means it’ll end up all over your carpet by the time you’re done brushing. The benefit of this type of brush compared to others is that some cats find it more comfortable. If your cat is afraid of brushes, rubber ones may be different enough for them to tolerate.
9. Self-Grooming Brushes
Self-grooming brushes are brushes that attach to your walls or furniture and allow your cat to groom themselves. While this sounds good in theory, it does have its limitations. Like most things you buy for your cat, they seem to be hit or miss—some cats like them, and others ignore them entirely. They also don’t brush your cat’s entire body as effectively as you can yourself.
10. Bristle Brushes
Bristle brushes can be used to dust light debris from the fur or to distribute your cat’s natural oils so that their coat looks sleek and shiny. They aren’t meant to detangle or de-shed. These brushes tend to have soft bristles that are comfortable and feel similar to being pet; they don’t reach all the way down to the skin. They’re great for desensitization or bonding with your cat.
Relevant Content:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brush to use on a cat?
The best brush for your short-haired cat is a slicker brush. The best brushes for long-haired cats are slicker brushes, pin brushes, and metal combs.
What is the best brush for cats that hate to be brushed?
In my testing, I’ve found grooming gloves to be the most effective tool for removing hair from cats that are difficult to groom. Rubber brushes also work well since they’re soft on a cat’s skin. Every cat has their own preferences, so be sure to try a variety of brushes.
Can you over brush a cat?
Most brushes can be used consistently without worry, but it is possible to overbrush your cat with a slicker brush or deshedding brush. Slickers with sharper pins might cause skin irritation with excessive use. Deshedding tools have blades that can remove too much undercoat, which damages your cat’s coat. Only go over each area a few times, then stop or switch to another tool.
What is the best brush to pick up cat hair?
Self-cleaning slicker brushes gather the most hair and are easy to clean, as a push button ejects all of the fur you’ve collected. This also allows you to move more quickly and collect more undercoat in a short period of time.
We had a zoom groom as well and it worked pretty good until it started to crumble and fall apart after a few months. It got the fur out but it just deteriorated after awhile. I think it’s because it’s rubber and just not very sturdy. We did search for something similar and found the Bailey Brush which is higher quality silicone and lasts a long time and works great, so we highly recommend that one for anyone looking for a better quality brush. The slicker brush at number 3 is also a must-have for sure, but I think the ones that are coated tipped are the best since it protects their sensitive skin. Hope it’s okay to mention that other brush that’s not on your list, you should definitely try it out and add it because people would really like it.
Hey Mallory, what do you think about those “steam brushes”?
Hi, my cat has pretty severe arthritis and when we try to brush him, it hurts him quite a lot. we have tried a couple of bushes but nothing seems to help and he is shedding a lot and also starting to get matted. could i please have some help with something that you would recommend for arthritic cats? Thank you.
Hey Marissa, it’s wonderful that you’re caring for your arthritic cat’s coat. I would think that a brush glove would be the gentlest option for an arthritic kitty. Are you also using any supplements? I’ve heard good things about omega-3 supplements for inflammation relief—a good fish oil could help your cat in terms of both joint and coat health.
Have you tried the Bailey Brush? We use it and it’s wonderful for our cat who is picky and has sensitive skin.
I really like SleekEZ. It’s really effective at removing the undercoat and yet super gentle. My med-long hair love bug didn’t do well with the furminator (seemed too uncomfortable) or and the boars hair brush didn’t seem to be too effective. He purrs and looks like he’s ready to sleep when I use this on him, but there are piles of fur that come off him. And he looks so clean and well groomed after I use it. I guess lots of folks use the bigger versions on horses and dogs.
Nice. Thanks for sharing!
I have tried them all. The new one that I am using now is called Leo’s Paw. They are awesome and do the job very well. Not hard to use if you ha e arthritis, those that you have to push down are not good, I gave mine away. We love ❤️ Leo’s paws.
I have variations of brushes for my tuxedo , (not short.,not long hair either, hair. A large oval shaped hair brush of mine seems to be her fav, Plastic brush with rubber tips that are on a cushioned like center. Use it softly in various directions that gives a massage to her body and hair, and causes her ‘motor ‘to start, also causes a roll over to get her tummy as well!! Under the chin and around whiskers and ears are welcomed too. She leans back her head for that. She is about 15 years and runs over when ever I pick up the brush. Also, not every day….wash her face and eyes with a warm cloth and wipe the dust off her head from the sand box.
Thank you for this article…however I am having a problem..I was used to the world of ultra thick & long hair..my Siberian passed December 2020. Since then i adopted two boys, domestic short hairs, and they are sooo sensitive to ANYTHING. I Tried a pin brush with plasic heads…but still it didnt seem to penetrate my tuxedos dense coat, my ginger boy is coarser but not as dense but highly sensitive..they are only 8 mos. Now, no matter how I approach this ..soft music, flower essences etc…they just don’t seem to respond. Maybe its their age right now? My tux has PICA, and spends a lot of mommy and me time ( we need to manage his anxiety..my poor baby) I think a glove would freak him out..he wants my touch. I dont know I think they need to make a HYBRID BRUSH . (yeah tried the last one one list doesnt do a thing!) I thank you for all your efforts it does help.
Hi Meg, your kitties may feel comfortable with Furminator’s shedding control cloths, which allow you to stroke your cat with a soft cloth and remove loose hair.
First of all, thank you for this article! Which size of the safari slicker brush do you own for your cat? Size small or medium? Which one would you recommend?
Hi Mathy, I would recommend the small Safari slicker brush, which is made for cats and is a good fit for most feline frames. Hope this helps!