8 Best Cat Brushes, Combs and De-Shedders for All Coat Types
- Rachel
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
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Recommendations are based on extensive research into products, brands, customer feedback and my own reviews wherever possible.
Choosing the best brush for your cat depends on several factors including coat length and type; the cat's tolerance levels and any issues such as matting or tangles. This article covers 8 highly rated brushes, combs and de-shedders for a safe and comfortable grooming experience.
Top Picks at a Glance
View full details ⇨Best Slicker Brushaumuca Cat Brush with Release Button✓ Removes 90% of loose hair. ✓ Works on tangles, knots and dander. ✓ Suitable for semi-short, long or thick-haired cats. |
View full details ⇨Best Dematting CombCandure Dematting Comb✓ Cuts through mats, tangles and knots. ✓ Works for single and double coats. ✓ Suitable for medium or long-haired cats. |
View full details ⇨Best De-ShedderFURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool✓ Removes up to 90% of loose hair. ✓ Suitable for short-haired cats. ✓ Use on undercoats. |
View full details ⇨Best 2-in-1Kito Lee 2-in-1 Grooming Brush✓ Suitable for short or long-haired cats. ✓ Pin side for detangling. ✓ Natural, soft bristles for smoothing. |
View full details ⇨Best GroomerFEELLNEEDY Steam Grooming Cat Brush✓ Combines grooming, cleaning and massage. ✓ Softens dirt and removes loose hair. ✓ Suitable for long and short-haired cats. |
View full details ⇨Best MassagerCeleMoon Silicone Cat Brush✓ Removes 90% of loose hair. ✓ Non-irritating for sensitive cats. ✓ Soothing massage action. |
View full details ⇨Best Grooming GlovesBYETOO Pet Grooming Glove✓ Flexible silicone tips. ✓ Removes loose hair, dirt and dander. ✓ Gentler alternative to brushes. |
View full details ⇨Best Flea CombMasterclip Flea Comb✓ Removes fleas, eggs, dander and dirt. ✓ Dense stainless steel pins. ✓ Rounded teeth to protect the skin. |
Cats are known for spending up to five hours a day grooming themselves to keep their coat and skin in peak condition. To help them do this, they have special structures on their tongue called "papillae" that act like a comb to catch loose hair and debris.
While cats make excellent self-groomers, it doesn't always prevent the pile of fur left behind on their favourite resting spots - no cat parent is without a trusty supply of lint rollers! For breeds with extra thick or double coats, such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, regular brushing is essential to prevent tangles and matting.
Let's look at some other reasons why it's beneficial to brush your cat:
Stimulates the sebaceous glands to lubricate and protect the coat. Natural oils also help to reduce dandruff.
Removes dirt and debris that contribute to matting.
Prevents knots that can pull the skin, causing pain and discomfort.
Minimise hairballs and vomiting.
Helps senior or infirm cats that may be unable to groom hard-to-reach areas.
Reduce vet visits and/or professional grooming expenses.
Bonding time with your cat.
Check out this post for more grooming tips: How to Groom a Cat and Best Brushes to Use
Best Cat Brushes, Combs and De-Shedding Tools
✔️ Best Slicker Brush
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The aumuca Slicker Brush is recommended for long and short-haired cats with thick coats. It's beneficial for shedding and removing loose fur, tangles, dander and trapped dirt. When used on a regular basis, it helps to prevent hairballs and make coats shinier.
The stainless steel wire bristles are 1.2 times thicker than similar brands to prevent bending. They have round rubber tips that won't scratch your cat's skin, as well as offering a gentle massaging effect to improve circulation and stimulate the sebaceous glands. The one-touch cleaning system allows you to discard of hair easily, and the brush is available in multiple colours.
Slickers can be used on most coat types but may be uncomfortable for short-haired or sensitive cats.
Grooming tips:
Gently brush your cat in the direction of hair growth.
Clean the brush regularly to ensure proper operation.
Take breaks if necessary to avoid stressing the cat.
Reviews
Customers find the aumuca Cat Brush to be of good quality and say it effectively removes loose fur. The hair slides off easily and the compact size is ideal for small cats. It provides an enjoyable grooming session and has a gentle massaging effect. Some feel that it's a little pricey compared to similar brands and the short bristles don't collect much fur.
Pros ✓ Suitable for all coat lengths. ✓ Removes loose hair and detangles. ✓ Safe, durable bristles. ✓ Self-cleaning feature. | Cons ✕ Short bristles don't reach undercoats. ✕ Expensive. |
✔️ Best for Long-Haired Cats
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The Candure Dematting Comb is shaped like a rake with sharp, curved teeth that remove knots, mats and tangled hair without pulling or scratching the skin. It has a dense side (17 teeth) for de-shedding and removing larger amounts of hair, and a wide side (9 teeth) for dematting. The comb is suitable for cats with long or medium hair; single or double coats and thick undercoats.
Teeth are made from stainless steel, and the comb features a non-slip rubber handle for easy gripping. It's available in blue, pink or green.
Dematting combs or rakes are good for scooping up deeper layers of loose hair while preserving the topcoat. They're best for areas of the body with thick fur and may be uncomfortable on sensitive areas like the head or legs. They should only be used on cats with coats that require dematting.
Grooming tips:
Gently brush your cat without applying too much pressure on the skin. Be cautious around the face, ears and belly.
Start from the head and move towards the tail, following the direction of hair growth.
Carefully brush out any tangles or mats. Use the included flat comb to work out any stubborn knots.
Reviews
Users of Candure Dematting Comb praise its effectiveness on double-coated, long-haired cats - particularly Ragdolls and Maine Coons. It removes dead hair and undercoat easier than other tools and is comfortable on pets. Unfortunately, the comb may not work on more serious tangles that require clipping. Not all cats will tolerate dematting combs.
Pros ✓ Removes mats, tangles and knots without pulling. ✓ Suitable for undercoats. ✓ Double sided for de-shedding and de-matting. ✓ Sturdy design. | Cons ✕ Can be harsh on sensitive areas. ✕ Not for short-haired cats. |
✔️ Best De-Shedder
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FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool is suitable for medium and large short-haired cats over 4.5 kg. Other versions include:
The stainless steel de-shedding edge reaches through the topcoat without damaging it to safely remove the undercoat. It has a curved design that conforms to a cat's natural shape for comfort, while the edge guard prevents digging in at the sides.
The comb removes up to 90% of loose hair, helping to reduce furballs. The FURejector button releases hair with ease, while the ergonomic, non-slip handle allows for safe grooming. Similar to dematting rakes, FURminator should only be used on cats with coats that require de-shedding. However, it's not designed for removing tangles so always comb through with a dematting tool prior to use.
FURminator is a popular grooming brand that offers many types of combs for different pets and coat types. In December 2021, the brand won the "Top Dog" award in Poland and achieved first place in the grooming category.
Grooming tips:
For optimal results, use the de-shedding tool 1-2 times per week for 10-20 minutes each time.
Reviews
Many owners find the FURminator deShedding Tool to be the best they've used for removing large amounts of loose hair, particularly double coats. It's reported to be gentle on coats, leaving them smooth and shiny, as well as being easy to clean. That being said, some users find it to be ineffective on certain types of fur and it takes some skill to use correctly.
Pros ✓ Safely removes 90% of loose hair. ✓ Suitable for undercoats. ✓ Self-cleaning feature. ✓ Multiple styles for all coat lengths. | Cons ✕ Not suitable for mats and tangles. ✕ Expensive. |
✔️ Best 2-in-1
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The Kito Lee 2-in-1 is a double-sided brush with pins and bristles for all coat lengths. The main structure is made from natural bamboo and wood, which is durable and comfortable to hold.
One side features round-headed pins made from flexible TPU. The cushioned surface has air vents that allow pins to shape to the contour of your pet's body. It removes loose hair from deeper layers and has a gentle massaging effect to promote sebum production, making fur shinier and healthier.
The soft bristle side is made with resilient boar hair, which is kinder to fur than plastic. It acts as a finishing touch to collect remaining loose hair, dandruff and dirt for a smooth, sleek coat.
Review
Customers find the Kito Lee 2-in-1 beneficial for coats of all types and lengths, with the pins getting through thick fur and the soft, dense bristles adding a silky smooth finish. Cats are particularly comfortable with the bristles around the delicate facial area, and it's kind to sensitive skin. Some users note that it doesn't collect enough hair for cats with heavy shedding or double coats, and it's not the best for matting or tangles.
Pros ✓ Double-sided for short and long-haired cats. ✓ Removes tangles, dander and debris. ✓ Smooths and shines fur. ✓ Gentle on sensitive skin. | Cons ✕ Less effective on heavy shedding, matting and double coats. |
✔️ Best Groomer
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FEELNEEDY is a 3-in-1 cat brush that combines grooming, cleaning and massage for all coat lengths. With the click of a button, it releases a fine mist that softens dirt and loose hair to groom more thoroughly than dry brushing. Despite being advertised as steam, the water isn't heated but, rather, converted into a spray that you can tailor to your cat's preference. The dual mode allows you to switch between a light mist or heavier spray. This unique feature also helps to reduce static to prevent fur flying around.
The stainless steel pins have soft massage tips that glide through fur without scratching the skin, and they're curved to 140° to reach the undercoat. The one-click self-cleaning feature lets hair slide off with ease and the brush is washable.
FEELNEEDY has a compact rounded brush head that easily reaches delicate areas like the underarms and neck. It's USB-rechargeable and the battery lasts up to two weeks. The brush is available in white or orange.
Reviews
Users of FEELNEEDY Steam Grooming Cat Brush say it's fantastic for removing hair and cleaning fur, especially for outdoor cats and those with heavy dandruff. It's durable and easy to use with a good battery life. While some cats love the brush, the mist feature may scare cats that aren't used to it.
Pros ✓ Removes loose hair, tangles and dander. ✓ Gently cleans and massages. ✓ Suitable for all coat lengths. ✓ Self-cleaning feature. | Cons ✕ Less effective on heavy matting and double coats. ✕ Might scare cats. |
✔️ Best Massager
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Crafted with premium silicone, Celemoon provides a gentle grooming experience with ultra-soft bristles that glide smoothly over the coat. It can be used to remove loose hair and minor tangles for short to long-haired cats. Its non-irritating design ensures comfort for sensitive areas, and the soothing massage action makes grooming more enjoyable.
The Celemoon Pet Brush claims to remove 90% of loose hair in five minutes by collecting fur in a single swipe. The lightweight, non-slip handle is easy to hold and, unlike traditional bristle brushes, the waterproof design allows for easy washing and cleaning.
Grooming tips:
Boost efficiency with damp brushing. Lightly mist the brush before use to activate the silicone's static-free properties, attracting up to 40% more loose hair.
Reviews
Customers report that Celemoon is most effective on cats with short, fine hair. The bristles are gentle on sensitive skin and easy to clean. While it's a favourite for cats that don't like traditional brushes, some don't like the longer bristles. It may not work well on long-haired cats or thick coats, and it's pricier than similar options.
Pros ✓ Silicone massage bristles. ✓ Removes loose hair. ✓ Alternative to traditional brushes. ✓ Use wet or dry. | Cons ✕ Long bristles may irritate cats. ✕ Not effective on matting or tangles. ✕ Expensive. |
✔️ Best Grooming Gloves
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The BYETOO Grooming Gloves feature enhanced silicone grooming tips that are soft and flexible, helping to remove loose hair, dander and dirt while giving a relaxing massage. The five-finger design enables you to groom difficult areas like the face and tail. With regular use, it claims to improve the softness and radiance of your pet's coat.
The gloves are ideal for grooming long and short-haired cats quickly and efficiently, or as a finishing touch after brushing. Loose hair sticks to the silicone tips so you can easily peel it off and throw it away. The back of the gloves are made from breathable mesh and they have an adjustable wristband to fit most hands. They can be washed in soapy water and air dried.
Reviews
Owners report good results with the BYETOO Grooming Gloves on short-haired cats and appreciate their ease of use. They're especially useful for cats that don't like being brushed as they can enjoy a petting session without knowing any different.
However, some say that the short bristles don't collect much fur and the gloves are too large for smaller hands. Timid cats may find them a little imposing upon first impression!
Pros ✓ Silicone tips gently massage. ✓ Removes loose hair, dander and debris. ✓ Alternative for cats that don't like being brushed. ✓ Adjustable. | Cons ✕ Not effective on matting, tangles or knots. ✕ Large size might scare cats. |
✔️ Best Flea Comb
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Masterclip isn't just a comb but a tool for removing fleas, dandruff, tangles and loose hair. The dense teeth are made from stainless steel with rounded ends that won't scratch the skin, while easily catching dirt and debris. The comb has an ergonomic handle for ease of use and a comfortable grip.
Pet combs are always handy for targeting smaller tangles. This doubles up as a flea comb and comes at a budget price, making it even more cost-effective.
Reviews
Customers find the Masterclip Flea Comb to be an effective tool for removing fleas and appreciate its functionality. It's considered to be good value for money and easy to hold. Durability receives mixed feedback, with some users reporting that the teeth get bent out of shape with repeated use.
Pros ✓ Dense teeth easily catch fleas. ✓ Can be used on small knots and tangles. ✓ Doesn't scratch the skin. ✓ Suitable for all coat lengths. | Cons ✕ Might not get through thick fur and undercoats. ✕ Lacks durability for long-term use. |
Does your cat have a favourite brush, or do you have any great recommendations of your own? Share your buys in the comments.
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