Last updated Aug 15, 2023
Updated by
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
When you find the best cat brush, you and your cat will both know it. Good brushes feel great in your hand, are gentle on your cat’s skin, and are a perfect fit for their coat type. There are cat brushes designed for all different grooming needs and all different cat types. So, how do you know which brush makes the most sense for your pet?
We’ve put several grooming tools to the test, calling out the best brushes for detangling, daily maintenance, and more. Here are our top 12 cat brushes for peaceful and effective grooming—plus, a run-down of 8 different brush types and what they’re best for.
At a Glance: Best Cat Brushes & De-Shedding Tools To Buy
Safari Cat Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Effectively combs through hair
- Retractable teeth for easy cleanup
- Comfort grip handle for easy brushing
GoPets Professional Double-Sided Pin & Bristle Brush
- The pin side is ideal for long or thick double coats
- A ventilation hole near the pins allows them to contour to the animal’s body
- Excellent for sensitive cats
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
- Versatile, all-purpose brush
- Retraction button for easy cleanup
- Comfortable anti-slip handle
Kong ZoomGroom
- Gentle rubber teeth for sensitive cats
- Good choice for short hair
- Cute cat design
Mars Boar Bristle Cat Brush
- Excellent for sensitive cats
- Helps to add shine
- Well-constructed and made to last
HandsOn Grooming Glove
- Available in five sizes for a perfect fit
- Nub pattern allows for effective grooming
- Gentle for sensitive cats
FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
- Great for cats with thick undercoats
- One of the best-loved cat brushes on the market
- High-quality, long-lasting construction
Frisco Dematting Double-Sided Rake
- Great for medium to long-haired and mat-prone cats
- Double-sided for dematting and deshedding
- Rubberized handle for improved comfort and control
Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush
- Great for short-haired cats
- Soft for sensitive skin
- Easy to handle
Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Toy
- Great for cats who don’t like being groomed by a human
- Effectively extracts loose hair
- Convenient for people who don’t have the time or the ability to groom their cat
Hartz Groomer's Best Slicker Brush
- Lightweight
- Comfortable to hold and maneuver
- Ventilation hole lets the brush contour to your cat’s body
Safari Flea Comb for Cats
- Essential tool for households at risk for fleas
- Highly affordable
- Simple design, very easy to use
Why Trust Cats.com
Over the last two years, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what it takes to make a great cat brush. We’ve researched the types of brushes & de-shedding tools available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen top brushes. We spent over 35 hours testing their sturdiness, cat-friendliness, and ability to prevent shedding and hair loss.
To nail down which cat brushes were worth testing, we considered a range of grooming needs, from removing mats to getting a perfectly glossy coat. We prioritized effectiveness, user-friendly designs, and ease of cleaning. We also selected brushes that appeared durable yet gentle on feline skin.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the following 12 cat brushes as the best you can buy.
Top Picks Explained
While we’ve since updated our recommendations in this article, we still love the cat brushes and brands Mallory talks about in this video.
The Top 12 Best Cat Brushes and Deshedding Tools for Long & Short Haired Cats
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is our top choice, it may not be ideal for your unique cat. To help you choose the right brush for your cat, we’ve broken down our recommendations by brush type, hair type, specific grooming goals (ie: deshedding and removing mats), and other key considerations.
#1 Overall Best: Safari Cat Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
How did this brush earn the number one place on this list?
It’s versatile—you can use it on almost every coat type, including short, medium, and long hair.
It’s thorough—the brush captures loose hair from the undercoat, massages the skin, and distributes oils for a healthy sheen. This brush has stainless steel pins that gently but effectively comb through the coat, deshedding loose hair, loosening tangles, and extracting dirt and dander.
And finally, it has a user-friendly design. The handle has a soft grip and hand-friendly shape that make it easy and comfortable to use.
Most other brushes don’t cleanly collect hair. Instead, they send it flying through the air as you groom. This brush keeps most of the hair securely on the wire teeth. Once you’re done brushing, you can easily retract the pins to release a clump of hair neatly into the trash.
What We Liked
- Effectively combs through hair
- Retractable teeth for easy cleanup
- Comfort grip handle for easy brushing
- A well-regarded and popular brush
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats find the stainless steel pins irritating
- Pins are delicate and prone to bending
#2 Best for Long Hair: GoPets Professional Double-Sided Pin & Bristle Brush
Long hair requires extra care, and this dual-sided brush is up to the task. On one side, a gentle pin brush draws out loose hair and massages the skin. The rounded pins are designed to penetrate deep into a cat’s coat, and they’re ideal for combing out long tresses.
On the other side, soft yet firm nylon bristles are densely packed to remove loose hair and dirt. This side can be used on all coat types, but it’s especially adept at giving long-haired beauties a glossy finishing touch.
Customer reviews indicate that the brush has a gentle touch and is comfortable in the hand.
What We Liked
- The pin side is ideal for long or thick double coats
- A ventilation hole near the pins allows them to contour to the animal’s body
- Excellent for sensitive cats
- Comfortable handle
- Perfect for multiple cat homes
What We Didn’t Like
- Not ideal for very heavy shedders
#3 Best for Short Hair: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
In testing, this versatile slicker brush did well on short hair. The stainless steel bristles are slightly curved so they can pass through thick coats. And they’re soft enough that they shouldn’t irritate your cat’s skin.
The Hertzko brush covers all your bases. It’s good for deshedding—we found it filled up with loose hair after just a few passes. You could also use this brush for removing tangles and massaging your cat. A notable bonus is the Hertzko’s push button that retracts the bristles. The collected hair is left behind for fast and simple disposal.
What We Liked
- Versatile, all-purpose brush
- Retraction button for easy cleanup
- Comfortable anti-slip handle
What We Didn’t Like
- Brush is fairly heavy
#4 Best Rubber Cat Brush: Kong ZoomGroom
Rubber brushes make a fine choice for short-haired cats. They tend to be gentler, too, so they work well for cats who are nervous about being brushed.
This one is a classic. The KONG ZoomGroom is a cat-shaped little rubber brush that fits in the palm of your hand and gently removes loose hair from your cat’s coat.
The wide-spaced rubber teeth are flexible, making it a gentle brush that’s easy on even the most sensitive kitties. You can think of it as a massage brush that gently stimulates the skin without irritating it.
While the ZoomGroom has great popularity thanks to its gentle groom-massage and deshedding abilities, it’s not perfect. In testing, we discovered that it doesn’t do a great job of collecting loose hair. It kind of collects at the base of the tail, and you’ll need to remove it. It can take off a lot of dead hair, but it will likely let it sprinkle down on your cat and furniture.
What We Liked
- Gentle rubber teeth for sensitive cats
- Good choice for short hair
- Cute cat design
- Effectively removes dead hair
- An economical choice
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t contain removed hair very well
#5 Best Bristle Brush: Mars Boar Bristle Cat Brush
Bristle brushes are gentle tools that work well for grooming-averse cats and delicate seniors who need a softer touch.
This is a German-made brush featuring real boar bristles set in a birch wood handle. The bristles are extremely soft, so the brush isn’t a good choice for heavy shedders or matted coats. It is, however, a good choice for sensitive cats with short coats.
So, if you’re looking to give your kitty a pleasurable massage while shining up their coat, this boar brush should be on your radar.
What We Liked
- Excellent for sensitive cats
- Helps to add shine
- Well-constructed and made to last
What We Didn’t Like
- Not the best for serious shedders
#6 Best Grooming Glove: HandsOn Grooming Glove
Grooming gloves are a favorite among sensitive cats, especially those who love being petted but hate the touch of a brush. If your cat is afraid of strange things running through their coat, a grooming glove is a calming alternative to traditional cat brushes.
The HandsOn glove has a few features that set it apart from other grooming gloves, but sizing is the most significant point of difference. The glove is available in five sizes—junior, small, medium, large, and extra large.
Because they fit so well, you can comfortably give your cat a very natural grooming experience. The bottom of the glove is covered in nitrile nodules. The fingers have longer bristles, while the palm is covered in slightly less aggressive massaging nodes.
What We Liked
- Available in five sizes for a perfect fit
- Nub pattern allows for effective grooming
- Gentle for sensitive cats
- Available in black or green
What We Didn’t Like
- The nitrile palms tend to crack
#7 Best Deshedding Tool: FURminator Long Hair Cat Deshedding Tool
If your main goal is to eliminate the tumbleweeds of cat fur floating around your home, you need a proper deshedding tool—something that effectively removes and gathers loose hairs before they end up on your couch or, worse, in your morning coffee.
Perhaps the most famous of all pet brushes, the FURminator is known for its extraordinary ability to extract hair from the dense undercoat.
It has a stainless steel de-shedding edge that reaches deep beneath the topcoat to access the fuzzy undercoat, capturing loose hairs and preventing them from gathering into mats or shedding throughout the house.
The Furminator does a great job of smoothly collecting the hair and doesn’t send it flying around the room. Its ejector button makes it easy to discard collected fur.
What We Liked
- Great for cats with thick undercoats
- One of the best-loved cat brushes on the market
- High-quality, long-lasting construction
What We Didn’t Like
- If you use it excessively, you could take out too much of the undercoat
- Expensive
#8 Best for Removing Mats: Frisco Dematting Double-Sided Rake
Getting rid of mats and tangles is much easier when you have the right tool. The Frisco dematting comb is uniquely designed for this purpose, made with sharp stainless-steel blades to work through clumps of matted fur. The blades are curved with dulled ends to protect your cat’s skin during grooming.
This dematting comb is double-sided, so it works as both a dematting tool and a deshedding tool. The side with widely spaced teeth is perfect for cutting through mats while the side with closely spaced teeth is ideal for weekly grooming and deshedding. The tool also has a rubberized handle which makes it comfortable to hold.
What We Liked
- Great for medium to long-haired and mat-prone cats
- Double-sided for dematting and deshedding
- Rubberized handle for improved comfort and control
- Dulled ends to prevent injuries to your cat’s skin
What We Didn’t Like
- May pull on the fur during use
- Some customers say the blades aren’t sharp enough
#9 Best For Bathing: Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush
This brush is a good choice for people who bathe their cats. It works just as well when it’s wet as it does when it’s dry. The brush has “shampoo reservoir cells”, which hold cat shampoo during bathing.
This soft silicone brush is designed for short-haired cats. Its patented two-sided design features soft silicone nodules that draw out loose hair, stimulate circulation, and help to spread natural oils to nourish the skin and coat. It’s squishy and gentle, so it’s a great choice for cats who are irritated by firmer steel or hard plastic brushes and combs.
Another interesting feature of the brush is that because it’s made from 100% medical-grade silicone, it’s dishwasher-safe. This makes it a notably fuss-free product.
What We Liked
- Great for short-haired cats
- Soft for sensitive skin
- Easy to handle
- Easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like
- Not the most effective deshedding tool
#10 Best Self-Grooming Cat Brush: Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Toy
Here’s an interesting twist on the traditional grooming brush. It’s a toy that allows your cats to brush themselves and have fun while they’re at it.
For most cats, a self-grooming toy like this is no substitute for a human-operated brush. That said, this can be an interesting alternative for fiercely independent cats who refuse to allow someone else to groom them.
The Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer Cat Toy lies on the floor or mounts to a corner. You’ll use the included pouch of catnip to entice your cat approach the bristled toy. If you’re lucky, the nipped-up cat will start to rub their face and body against the groomer.
The bristles act like any other brush to remove loose hair and massage your cat’s skin.
What We Liked
- Great for cats who don’t like being groomed by a human
- Effectively extracts loose hair
- Convenient for people who don’t have the time or the ability to groom their cat
What We Didn’t Like
- Most cats won’t give themselves a thorough brushing with this toy
#11 Best Budget Brush: Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush
For a basic, no-frills brush that does what it needs to do, reach for this Hartz slicker. It’s an affordable all-purpose option that will suit most cats. The angled bristles help to remove loose hair and sort out tangles. It’s lightweight and perfectly sized for cats. Plus, the tip-coated bristles are super soft, which our tester cats appreciated.
What We Liked
- Lightweight
- Comfortable to hold and maneuver
- Ventilation hole lets the brush contour to your cat’s body
- Can be washed in warm soapy water
What We Didn’t Like
- Removing hair was a little difficult
#12 Best Flea Comb: Safari Flea Comb for Cats
Though not technically a cat brush, the Safari flea comb is an excellent grooming tool to keep on hand, especially if your cat goes outdoors or you have another outdoor pet in your home. It’s a good idea to check your cat for fleas periodically so you can take immediate action to control an infestation.
The Safari flea comb is a single-rowed flea comb made with closely spaced teeth and a sturdy plastic handle. The handle is contoured with an ergonomic grip to fit comfortably in your palm, and it is very easy to use—simply start at the base of your cat’s neck and work your way through the coat down to the tail.
You can always use a flea comb to check your cat for fleas. If you discover an infestation, you’ll find yourself using it often after applying flea powder or shampoo to kill fleas.
What We Liked
- Essential tool for households at risk for fleas
- Highly affordable
- Simple design, very easy to use
What We Didn’t Like
- None
8 Types of Cat Brushes
As our lineup reveals, cat brushes come in endless varieties. For the best grooming results, it’s helpful to understand how different tools work. Here’s an explanation of the cat brushes you’ll encounter most often—with a look at the cats they’ll work for best.
1. Slicker Brushes
These brushes have fine wire teeth set on varying angles. Because the wire teeth comb through your cat’s fur from multiple angles, these brushes are very effective for removing loose hair as well as dirt and dander. The thin metal tines aren’t painful for most cats but can irritate sensitive skin. If your cat has damaged skin or is particularly sensitive to touch, you may want to choose a rubber brush or grooming glove instead.
Slicker brushes are ideal for all coat types and cats who like being brushed.
2. Dematting Tools
Don’t use a pair of scissors to cut out a mat. If your cat flinches or you snip in the wrong place, you could cut their skin instead of the matted fur. Instead, use a dematting tool. These tools have sharp blades with rounded tips. They scoop underneath the mat and gently cut it out without harming the skin underneath.
Dematting tools are ideal for long-haired cats, those prone to matting, and cats who struggle to groom themselves.
3. Brush Gloves
The great thing about grooming gloves is that they aren’t brushes. They’re gloves with small rubber nubs and bristles that gently massage your cat’s coat and draw out loose hair. Instead of feeling alien on your cat’s skin, the touch of a gloved hand is both comforting and natural. Plus, it acts as a deshedding tool.
Brush gloves are ideal for short coats, cats with sensitive skin, and cats who dislike traditional grooming.
4. Bristle Brushes
A bristle brush smooths and beautifies the hair. They’re popular for use on show cats and other felines who need to look shiny and fabulous. They make an excellent finishing cat brush for coats of all types.
Bristle brushes are ideal for cats who need a gentle touch and for those who need a brilliant finish.
5. Rubber Brushes
Rubber brushes have wide-set rubber teeth, which gently move through the fur, detangling and removing loose hair. The rubber teeth provide a gentle massage as well, improving circulation and boosting the health of your cat’s skin. They’re a gentler choice for cats who can’t tolerate harsh metal brushes.
Rubber brushes are ideal for short hair, sensitive cats, massaging, and boosting circulation.
6. Deshedding Tools
Remember that your cat’s coat has three different layers. Most cats have guard hairs, awn hairs, and down hairs. The thickest, densest layer is the down or undercoat, which lies at the base of the coat nearest to the skin. Cats with particularly long, dense undercoats are prone to matting problems and severe shedding. The undercoat can also make a cat overly warm during hot weather.
Deshedding tools reach deep through the layers of your cat’s coat to access the soft, dense undercoat. When used on a cat with a thick undercoat, deshedding tools can produce dramatic piles of downy hair while leaving your cat’s coat looking silky and smooth.
Deshedding tools are ideal for cats with thick undercoats, those prone to heavy shedding, and homes with a lot of hair accumulation.
7. Detangling Combs
These combs have long teeth that pick through your cat’s coat, removing loose hair while gently detangling. They can help to prevent mat formation as well.
While these are useful for cats with longer coats, they’re not the best choice for cats who don’t like brushing. Detangling combs aren’t soft and do little to massage the skin.
Detangling combs are ideal for medium to long-haired cats and those prone to knots.
8. Pin Brushes
A pin cat brush is similar to a slicker brush but has more widely-spaced teeth and is a less aggressive grooming tool. The pins are tipped with plastic balls that massage your cat’s skin and distribute natural oils through their coat.
Pin brushes are ideal for medium to long-haired cats.
Relevant Content:
- How To Bathe A Cat (A Step-by-Step Guide)
- How To Trim Cat Nails
- Best Cat Grooming And Deshedding Gloves
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I brush my cat?
The frequency with which you need to brush your cat may depend on its coat type and length. For long-haired cats, daily brushing is recommended but short-haired cats may only need to be brushed once a week.
Does brushing help with cat dandruff?
Most cats are meticulous groomers, so they keep their coats in pretty good condition. When it comes to issues like dry skin and dandruff, however, they may need a little help. Regular brushing can help exfoliate the skin but you may also want to bathe your cat with hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
Should I brush or comb my cat?
Choosing the right grooming tool depends on your cat’s coat type. For long fur and fine coats combing with a wide-toothed comb can help remove mild tangles in cat hair, but you may need a dematting tool for bigger mats. For short-haired cats, a bristle brush or rubber brush will help with dead hair removal and will leave the coat nice and shiny.
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!
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.
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.
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 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!
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.