“This slicker brush is ideal for long-haired cats and will help with gentle detangling and de-shedding,” says Carol Osborne, holistic veterinarian and founder and director of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center & Pet Clinic. Osborne loves the flexible head of fine bristles, which adapt to the contours of your cat’s body to prevent tugging and discomfort. The brush comes in two sizes and two colors, all with a button that retracts the bristles for easy cleaning.
Type of brush: slicker | Best for: all cats
Bissantz’ favorite tool for the past 30 years is this Hartz small slicker brush, which has gentle nubs on the tips of the pins to prevent scratching and works well for both short- and long-haired pets. “This brush is insanely durable, washable, dryable with my high-velocity dryer, [and] perfect for bath time de-shedding,” plus it’s comfortable to hold thanks to its ergonomic handle, she says.
Type of brush: slicker | Best for: all cats
NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz has used this slicker brush on his cat Zelda for over eight years. The metal pins do “a good job of removing excess fur without being too abrasive,” and the button on the back “pushes all of the cat hair forward on the brush, making it really easy to clean,” says Rabinowitz. Its curved design and thin stainless steel pins also help loosen knots and boost shine, according to the brand.
Type of brush: slicker | Best for: all cats
For cats who shed heavily, three of our experts recommend the Furminator, which is an NBC Select Pet Award winner. “It does a great job of getting the undercoat and significantly cuts down on the total grooming time needed for pets that constantly shed,” says Aziza Glass, veterinarian and owner of CAWLM Veterinary Hospital. Its curved stainless steel edge reaches into the undercoat without damaging the topcoat, plus it has an ergonomic handle and a hair-release button to make cleaning easier, according to Furminator. The brand also sells a smaller version for cats under 10 pounds and a version for short-hair cats. That said, you should exercise caution with this tool, since it is possible to overgroom, says Glass.
Type of brush: de-shedding | Best for: long-haired cats who shed
Soft pin brushes work well for cats with short hair, says Bissantz. Burt’s Bees is one of our favorite brands for pet grooming, and this two-in-one brush has rounded pins on one side to detangle minor knots and soft hemp bristles on the other to remove shedding, according to the brand. It’s designed for cats of all sizes and it’s made from bamboo and recycled materials.
Type of brush: pin brush | Best for: short-haired cats
“For pets with long hair it’s imperative to detangle before bathing and brushing,” says Osborne, who recommends this pet comb. Its stainless steel teeth decrease the chance of ripping out fur in long-haired pets, according to Osborne. It also has both densely and loosely spaced teeth with rounded edges to prevent scratching the skin, and the rubberized handle creates a more secure grip, according to the brand.
Type of brush: comb | Best for: all cats
Bissantz loves and recommends this greyhound comb for precision jobs: “I use this in the bath to remove eye goobers and debris, [plus it’s] perfect for getting stubborn undercoat [shedding] out and works well in awkward, tight spaces like armpits, legs, behind the ears.” Since its chrome-plated steel teeth are drilled into the spine, it’s also extremely durable, according to the brand. It has both wide- and narrowly-spaced teeth, too, so it works for all types of fur, says Bissantz.
Type of brush: comb | Best for: precision grooming
“These are some of my favorite grooming gloves for cats,” says Shannon Barrett, veterinarian and owner of Downward Paws, a blog about pet health. “They work well for long-haired cats that do not like traditional brushes” because the long rubber nodules massage your cat’s skin and remove fur at the same time, says Barrett. They’re also machine-washable.
Type of brush: glove | Best for: skittish long-haired cats
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves these grooming gloves because they’re affordable, easy to clean and have flexible bristles that her cat Solo can’t resist: “At the mere sight of this thing, he will run ahead of me and sprawl out on the floor with his belly up, ready to be brushed and groomed,” she says. The silicone bristles come in four colors and the gloves have an adjustable strap so you can fit them to your wrist.
Type of brush: gloves | Best for: skittish short-haired cats
“Rubber brushes are perfect for sensitive kitties,” says Barrett. “This one by Kong fits comfortably in your palm, and its rubber bristles gently massage your cat’s skin while sweeping away loose fur.” Because it’s made out of rubber, it’s gentle, easy to clean and you can dampen the bristles to make the fur stick instead of flying away, according to Barrett.
Type of brush: rubber | Best for: skittish or young cats
The best cat brush will largely depend on your cat’s fur length and specific grooming needs, according to our experts. For example, “a short-bristle, soft brush is ideal for an American shorthair, whereas long-bristled brushes can be used on Maine Coons,” says Barrett. First, narrow down the right type of brush for the job, and then consider bristle length, texture, ease of cleaning and safety.
Cat brushes come in various designs, which are appropriate for different fur lengths, textures and grooming concerns, according to our experts. Here are the primary types of cat brushes and their uses:
In addition to the type of cat brush you choose, our experts also recommend keeping the following criteria in mind:
While the technique will differ depending on the type of brush you use, you should always brush in the direction of hair growth to keep your cat comfortable. When grooming sensitive areas like the face, paws and stomach, move slowly and use gentle, soft strokes, according to our experts.
If your cat has matted fur, never bathe them beforehand; “mats must be removed first or they are twice as hard to get out,” says Osborne. A reliable de-matting tool, a de-matting spray and a cat-safe conditioner will all make the job easier, but “you must be patient and work slowly and carefully to detangle it,” says Barrett.
“It’s always best to begin with a kitten, so they get used to the procedure. The key is to start slowly and make it a routine ritual,” says Osborne. By using the same tools in the same spot at the same time of day, “most [cats] learn to love and trust your touch,” Osborne says.
“All cats have a timer, and they will let you know when it's up — most likely not in a nice way,” says Bissantz. Once your cat has reached their limit, you should not try to finish the task; instead, reward them with treats after brushing to form a positive association with the experience, says Bissantz. Last but not least, cats who do not generally like grooming tools may prefer a glove or a handheld brush with soft rubber bristles instead, according to our experts.
How frequently you brush your cat depends on your pet’s fur type and specific needs, but five minutes a day keeps most long-haired cats in great shape, says Osborne. Short-haired cats don’t require daily brushing, but weekly sessions can help distribute oils and help with dry skin, says Barrett.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Maria Cassano is an e-commerce writer, editor and consultant who has written about and reviewed products for almost a decade. You can find her pet-related articles in publications such as Bustle, CNN, Elite Daily and Mic. For this article, she interviewed a professional groomer and three veterinarians.
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