The 7 best cat brushes of 2024, tested with short and long-haired cats

Best overall: Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Brush

Persuading your feline to beryllium done a grooming convention tin beryllium challenging, but nan double-sided Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Brush tin make nan process little taxing and, situation we say, downright enjoyable for cats of each fur lengths and humans alike. 

Both gentle yet effective, this combo brushwood is our go-to for regular use. It features stainless alloy pins connected 1 broadside to region loose fur and mini tangles. The different broadside has nylon bristles for smoothing and softening nan coat. The metallic pins mildly dislodged loose hairsbreadth from our long-haired cat's coat, while some nan pins and bristles proved perfect for our short-haired cat. Our tester cats peculiarly enjoyed nan bristles astir their delicate faces. Although nan pins successfully activity done mini tangles, you'll request a different brushwood for much important knots and mats.

This brushwood has nan information features that Daniel Lioyryan, a feline groomer astatine Cats successful nan City, looks for successful pin brushes. The rubber tips connected nan stainless alloy pins supply a massaging effect and protect cats from getting poked, and nan soft pad that holds nan pins successful spot is elastic capable to forestall nan tines from jabbing a cat. We besides recovered it easy to grip nan rubber grip while grooming.

Best slicker: Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats

"Slicker brushes are often a cat's favorite," says Lioyryan. He says they are peculiarly useful for removing loose fur from nan coat's outer furniture and gripping nan short strands of a short-haired cat's undercoat. For long-haired cats, a slicker brushwood is perfect for ray regular brushing and catching pin knots, mini mats, and loose clumps of fur. The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush accomplishes each this but stands retired for its brushwood caput size and retractable pins. 

Safari's lightweight slicker brushwood has an ergonomic grip pinch rubber grips. Its 3-by-2-inch paddle pinch 288 stainless alloy pins is agile capable to get into hard-to-reach places. When nan pins are afloat of hair, simply property a fastener connected nan backmost to push nan beforehand sheet guardant and dislodge nan hair.

While nan brushwood couldn't region each mat connected a long-haired cat, it did a awesome occupation helping america combat those connected nan thorax and nether nan arms. You'll request to region tougher tangles pinch a comb aliases dematting tool. If your cat's overgarment is severely matted, it's important to return your feline to a veterinarian aliases groomer who tin safely region them. "Never effort to trim mats retired of your cat's hairsbreadth pinch scissors," says Simpson. "This tin lead to accidental laceration of nan skin."

Read our afloat Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats review.

Best comb: Chris Christensen Buttercomb #013

Long-haired cats are prone to processing tangled mats successful their undercoat, causing discomfort and, successful immoderate cases, starring to illness. "Matting causes nan hairsbreadth to propulsion astatine nan skin, which is painful," says Simpson. At nan hind end, urine and feces whitethorn besides instrumentality to mats, expanding nan consequence of tegument and urinary tract infections.

The champion comb to soft retired matted fur is Chris Christensen's Cat/Carding Buttercomb #013, according to Loel Miller, proprietor of Mobile Grooming by Loel. We recovered she was right. It excelled astatine digging into mats and untangling nan fur caught wrong them. 

The lightweight comb has stainless alloy teeth embedded successful a coagulated 6-inch spine. The teeth alternate successful a shape of agelong and short tines. The comb has nary existent handle, conscionable astir a quarter-inch-wide ridge that runs its length. It turns retired that nan deficiency of a grip makes this comb much versatile and easier to usage — it tin beryllium held comfortably astatine immoderate perspective to activity retired tangles.

Best grooming gloves: HandsOn All-In-One Gloves

Cats who garbage to beryllium groomed pinch a brushwood aliases a comb whitethorn tolerate grooming gloves, which fresh intimately to nan earthy style of your palm. "Using a grooming mitt aliases a soft rubber grooming brushwood tin acclimate your feline to nan emotion of being brushed successful a gentle way," says Simpson. 

Relative to each of nan different brushes and combs we tested, gloves are nan worst astatine removing hairsbreadth from a cat's coat. However, if your feline is delicate to brushing, gloves will thief region immoderate fur, dirt, and dander. The well-constructed HandsOn Grooming Gloves were nan champion of nan brands we tested. The rubber palms are covered pinch rounded nubs, 3 clumps connected each digit and 2 connected nan thumb. The different broadside of nan mitt is made of beardown nylon cloth pinch a velcro closure astatine nan wrist that secures it snugly. 

The gloves travel successful 5 sizes, inferior to other large. As an average-sized woman, nan mean brace fresh maine comfortably. Unlike nan different gloves we tested, these didn't consciousness overly bulky. The gloves tin beryllium utilized barren aliases wet, and truthful far, they person not cracked, torn, aliases grown mildew, which nan institution claims is simply a characteristic of their durability.

Best silicone: Furbliss Pet Brush

Furbliss for Long Hair Pets

Furbliss for Short Hair Pets

The Furbliss is 1 of nan champion feline brushes not conscionable because its elastic silicone nubs are gentle and effective astatine removing loose hairsbreadth but besides because you tin usage it to massage your pet, region hairsbreadth from clothing and upholstery, and dispense shampoo successful nan bath. 

A bully curry brushwood is perfect for grooming a short-haired cat, according to pet groomer Melissa Tillman. We recovered this curry-style brushwood tin thief region loose hair, dirt, and dander from long-haired cats, but it really does radiance connected cats pinch shorter hair. The two-sided silicone brushwood has elastic nodules that soft retired nan topcoat and stimulate circulation. The lightweight brushwood was easy to grip and use. Fur sticks to nan silicone material, making it a situation to clean, but you tin rinse it nether nan faucet aliases tally it done nan dishwasher aliases washing machine. On nan back, location are reservoir cells to clasp shampoo for heavy cleaning while bathing. You tin besides swipe nan backside complete clothing and upholstery to region hairsbreadth and lint.

The Furbliss comes successful 2 different designs. The bluish brushwood has dense, cone-shaped teeth designed for short-haired pets, and nan greenish brushwood has larger, much wide spaced nubs for long-haired pets. However, we tried some brushes and didn't announcement a important difference.

What to look for successful a feline brush

We said to 3 master groomers and 2 veterinarians to constrictive down nan champion feline brushes for each overgarment type and budget. They urge keeping nan pursuing features successful mind erstwhile shopping for feline grooming tools:

Shape and length: The style of nan brushwood straight impacts really good nan brushwood removes fur and mats, particularly from hard-to-reach places. Dematting and shedding brushes pinch mini heads, for illustration Andis Pet Deshedding Tool and Well & Good Prostyle Dual-Sided Shedding Rake, are awesome for reaching problematic areas specified arsenic nether nan limbs. The mean magnitude of nan Chris Christensen Buttercomb's teeth angles on nan body, efficaciously tackling reliable knots and mats.

Function: Not each brushes service nan aforesaid purpose, and you'll request much than 1 successful your arsenal to reside each of your cat's grooming needs. 

• Pin brushes: These brushes are gentle capable for regular use. The metallic tines efficaciously tackle insignificant tangles, while nan rubber tips supply a gentle, massaging sensation without poking your cat. 
• Bristle brushes: The nylon bristles region loose hairsbreadth from nan topcoat and guarantee nan remainder of nan overgarment is soft and lying successful nan aforesaid direction, which will thief forestall early mats and tangles. A combo pin and bristle brushwood is peculiarly suitable for multi-cat households pinch some short- and long-haired cats.
• Slicker brushes: These are effective for ray regular brushing, removing loose fur, and managing mini tangles. The metallic tines are galore and somewhat bent astatine nan ends, making them particularly useful for grabbing loose hairs from nan undercoat of short-haired cats.  
• Skip bony combs: This type of comb has a azygous statement of alloy tines pinch alternating lengths, designed to penetrate nan undercoat of long-haired cats. If a comb has teeth that are each nan aforesaid magnitude and intimately spaced, you mightiness push nan undercoat down alternatively of efficaciously brushing done it, says Lioyran. Combs are nan perfect play aliases as-needed instrumentality for mini mats and grooming pursuing a deshedding. 
• Deshedding devices aliases rakes: These devices person curved times to grip and region excess fur. The number of tines varies, and Lioyryan says you mightiness request to research pinch respective deshedding rakes earlier uncovering nan 1 that champion suits your cat. He recommends utilizing deshedding rakes monthly aliases each different period to destruct loose fur and bladed retired heavy coats. Even short-haired cats require deshedding, fixed their higher hairsbreadth follicle count than long-haired cats, according to Lioyryan.
• Dematting rakes: If a stubborn mat pops up, a dematting rake is nan champion tool. Our experts powerfully counsel against utilizing scissors connected your cat's fur. Lioyryan recommends dematting devices pinch curved tines alternatively than consecutive ones because they thin to person a amended grip. 
• Grooming gloves: These are gentle capable to acclimate cats to grooming and are little apt to overstimulate cats who are delicate to touch. 
• Curry brushes: These versatile brushes pinch rubber nubs efficaciously region loose hair, massage your pet, region hairsbreadth from clothing and upholstery, and lather shampoo during baths.

Comfort: The tines of a brushwood shouldn't flick and prod astatine your cat, and a instrumentality should ne'er excessively tug astatine nan fur. To guarantee your cat's comfort, opt for a pin brushwood pinch rubber-tipped tines and slickers pinch a soft brushwood pad that allows nan tines to move pinch nan curvature of your cat's bones. The champion feline brushes besides person ergonomic and rubber handles for nan groomer's comfort.

Some cats whitethorn still dislike their grooming devices moreover if they cheque each nan correct boxes for comfort. "Just for illustration people, immoderate cats emotion being brushed, and they tolerate hostility connected their fur very well. Other cats do not," Lioyryan says. "If a feline doesn't for illustration a peculiar tool, it doesn't needfully mean that nan instrumentality is wrong." He suggests holding nan tegument taut to trim pulling erstwhile utilizing a deshedding rake and being mindful erstwhile brushing complete bones. 

Introducing your feline to grooming devices early increases nan likelihood that they will tolerate and moreover bask nan grooming process. For cats delicate to grooming, grooming gloves specified arsenic HandsOn All-In-One Gloves whitethorn beryllium nan champion option.

How we tested nan champion feline brushes

To place nan astir effective feline brushes and combs for this guide, we conducted nan pursuing tests pinch 31 brushes and combs. 

Hair removal test: To objectively comparison nan brushes successful nan deshedding instrumentality and slicker brushwood categories, we utilized a different grooming instrumentality for 1 to 3 days to springiness our tester cats — 2 short-haired cats and 2 long-haired cats — a complete brushing. The removed hairsbreadth was placed successful branded integrative bags that were laid broadside by broadside to uncover which instrumentality removed nan most.

Ease of usage test: While utilizing each grooming tool, we evaluated nan pursuing characteristics:

• How easy nan instrumentality was to usage overall
• The weight of nan tool
• The size of nan instrumentality and really good it fresh successful our hands
• How good nan instrumentality accessed hard-to-reach places
• How easy nan instrumentality was to cleanable aft use
• The durability of nan tool

Dematting test: This trial was devised for nan products successful nan dematting comb category. For each comb, we began by rolling, mashing, and entangling a ample heap of undercoat fur removed from a long-haired feline utilizing a deshedding tool. We past attempted to reconstruct nan fur to its smooth, unmatted authorities pinch nan comb. The apical 3 devices went connected to tackle nan mini mats connected 1 of our tester cat's thorax and nether his forelegs, wherever he has problem reaching during grooming. The comb that dematted nan hairsbreadth astir easy and efficiently was declared nan winner.

Cat brushwood FAQs

What is nan champion brushwood to usage connected a cat?

The champion brushwood for your feline depends connected their hairsbreadth type and grooming requirements. A combo pin and bristle brushwood is nan champion prime for mundane grooming for some short- and long-haired cats. The pins region loose hairsbreadth and mini tangles while nan bristles soft nan apical coat. However, nary azygous brushwood tin fulfill each grooming need. Long-haired cats require grooming pinch a deshedding rake monthly aliases each different month, followed by a skip bony comb aliases pin brushwood to region loose fur and grip mini tangles. For bigger knots and mats, you'll besides request a dematting tool. If you person a short-haired cat, you tin skip nan comb but should usage a slicker aliases pin brushwood to tackle mini tangles and region loose hairsbreadth from nan undercoat. You whitethorn besides request a deshedding rake and a dematting tool. Some cats whitethorn for illustration nan gentle touch of a soft rubber curry comb alternatively than a pin aliases slicker brush. A grooming mitt is different bully action for short-haired cats, peculiarly if they are handling sensitive.

Are feline brushes bully for cats?

Yes. Brushing a feline removes dormant hairsbreadth and tegument cells that would different extremity up being swallowed while grooming aliases shedding onto your floor. The little hairsbreadth a feline consumes, nan little apt they are to person regular hairballs. Brushing besides distributes nan earthy oils successful nan overgarment to support it shiny, stimulates humor circulation, and helps a feline and their caregiver bond.

How often should you brushwood your cat's fur?

Opinions disagree moreover among professionals regarding really often a feline should beryllium brushed. According to nan ASPCA, brushing erstwhile aliases doubly a week tin thief support a cat's overgarment healthy. VCA Hospitals recommends brushing your feline daily, particularly if they person agelong hairsbreadth aliases a heavy coat. Tillman's norm of thumb is to brushwood your feline arsenic often arsenic they will fto you, while Harper says he has nary norm of thumb but recommends astatine slightest moving your hands, if not a brushwood aliases comb, complete your cat's assemblage erstwhile daily. Older cats who cannot self-groom whitethorn request much regular sessions than younger cats.

How often should I usage a deshedding instrumentality connected my long-haired aliases thick-coated cat?

Lioyryan recommends utilizing a deshedding instrumentality connected agelong and short-haired cats monthly to each different month, followed by brushing pinch a skip bony comb, slicker brush, aliases pin brush. 

How agelong should I brushwood my cat?

Instead of sticking to a group play of time, salary adjacent attraction to your cat's assemblage language. If they go agitated aliases effort to move distant from nan brushwood aliases comb, telephone an extremity to nan convention and prime it up again later.

How do you brushwood an unwilling cat?

The earlier you statesman to present your feline to brushing, nan better. "Kittens that are regularly groomed and person their nails trimmed go utilized to being handled," says Simpson. To group your feline up for brushing success, Simpson recommends positioning them successful a comfortable, quiet area and pairing gentle brushwood strokes aliases combing pinch delicious treats. Lickable foods specified arsenic Inaba Churu are particularly high-value for galore cats. To support your hands free for brushing, you tin dispersed nutrient connected a Lickimat aliases scatter treats successful beforehand of your cat. Simpson says cats are little apt to beryllium anxious if you activity unsocial without restraining them.

Should cats spell to groomers?

Anytime a feline is heavy matted, it's champion to consult a professional. "Cats' tegument is easy to cut, truthful it's champion to time off that up to us," says Tillman. If you person a feline who dislikes being brushed, don't hesitate to prosecute a groomer to do nan basics. "It's champion not to push nan limits of a feline wherever you are successful threat of being injured," says Miller. Cats who are easy stressed during trips to nan groomer whitethorn use from a mobile grooming work that will travel to your home.