Take a Break Pets round-up of the best cat brushes will certainly help your cat. Although cats self-groom, we can help them with regular brushing to prevent irritating conditions, such as dandruff and dry skin. Regular grooming will minimise hair shedding around your home. So. less vacuuming is on the list of chores, and it will help keep fur balls at bay and cultivate a healthy sheen on your cat's coat. Brushing your cat once a week gets rid of loose hair, helps identify fleas destined for flea treatment and improves blood flow to their skin, for better circulation and all the benefits of a good massage.
There are general cat brushes and there are specialist grooming products, such as de-shedding tools. For this, you need to take into account the type of coat your cat has. Also, if they have sensitive skin and if their coat is prone to matting. Consider a food for sensitive skin to feed your precious fur baby. A good brush should be sturdy, but it should be comfortable for you to hold and gentle against your cat's skin.
Best cat brushes at a glance
There are three types of hair in a cat's coat. Guard hairs are the long, straight and coarse hairs in the outer coat. Awn hairs are medium-length and make up the base coat. The short fur that's closest to the body is the undercoat. The function of the coat is to insulate and protect the skin. The length and thickness of the hair will vary depending on the breed of cat. Cats are classed as short, medium or long-haired.
The benefits of grooming your cat are numerous. Regular brushing removes loose hair and debris whilst giving your cat a massage. Additionally, you'll save on vacuuming as less hair is dropped around the home. With a cat brush and flea collar for your cat, you'll be more than set. We've taken care to include a range of brush types in this guide, so you'll find the ideal grooming tool for your cat.
Best for easy clean
This slicker brush has a round head and 60-degree adjustable tines. The brush keeps the hair securely on the tines, unlike some brushes that send the loose hair flying everywhere. Once you are finished brushing, retract the teeth and release the clump of hair. The covered tips protect your cat's skin and make brushing feel like a massage. The contoured handle fits comfortably in your hand so it's easy to use.
Customer review: "Absolutely brilliant product. So much hair came off my chonker cat that I could make another cat out of him. Very easy to use and Blu likes it so must be nice on the skin for him."
Pros
- One-touch self-cleaning button
- Massages your pet
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the brush tines can get a little bent
| Colour: | Grey, blue, orange, green and pink |
| Material: | Metal, silicone |
Best silicone cat brush
This silicone brush can be used during bathing, as well as for general brushing. The soft wide teeth provide a relaxing massage action. It's comfortable for you to use too - non-slip and fits in the palm of your hand. The CeleMoon cat brush is a safe and non-scratch detangling brush, that's a good choice for sensitive cats. To clean, simply run warm water over the brush.
Customer review: "It’s excellent at removing excess cat hair in a kind and therapeutic way. Easy and comfortable to use, kind to your cat."
Pros
- Kind to your cat's skin
- Can be used in the bath
Cons
- Some cats may be wary of this brush and dislike the feel of silicone on their fur
| Colour: | Purple |
| Material: | Rubber |
Best for a kitten
This is a 2-in-1 grooming and massage brush. The brush gently removes loose hair and works through tangles, knots and releases trapped dirt. Using this brush increases blood circulation and helps to prevent skin disease. One-button cleaning removes hair that has accumulated on the tines. The tines are bent at 60 degrees to reduce pain when combing through hair.
Customer review: "I was looking for a soft bristled brush for my kitten and stumbled across this one. I like that the bristles have a soft end to them and the push button on the back of it makes it so easy to clean. Great purchase."
Pros
- Self-cleaning
- Massaging
Cons
- Tines are thin and easily deform
| Colour: | Pink or white |
| Material: | Metal |
Best designed brush
The tipped stainless steel bristles gently stimulate your cat's skin. For a slicker brush, the tines are slightly thicker than most, making them less prone to bending and deforming. One click and debris hair can be removed from the brush. The thick handle makes it comfortable for you to hold. It also has a silicone loop so it can be hung when not in use.
Customer review: "The brush is very cleverly designed so that at the press of a button you remove all the fluff easily in one go. That's certainly what makes this product stand out. It's really easy to use too."
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Gives a massage as well as grooming
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that the metal bristles bent out of shape
| Colour: | White, green, purple |
| Material: | Rubber |
Best slicker brush
A small slicker brush that keeps your cat's skin and fur healthy and manageable. Its extra fine bristles remove tangles and matting. The tips have a protective coating, so brushing is gentler on your pet's skin. The handle is ergonomic for your comfort: easy to hold and manipulate for control.
Customer review: "Far more effective than the previous brush I bought - a couple of swipes and it effortlessly removes surplus hair which is also easy to remove from the bristles. It feels quite gentle too. Really great little brush."
Pros
- Ergonomic
- Easy to control
Cons
- A little bit fiddly to remove hair from the brush
| Colour: | Black, violet |
| Material: | Plastic |
Best double-sided cat brush
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The silicone side of this pecute Double Sided Pet Grooming Brush has an arched surface, with a breather hole that lets the surface flex, which gives your pet a wonderful massage experience. The bristle side is made from wild boar bristle and works to distribute natural oils in the hair to keep your cat's cat soft and shiny. A useful multipurpose brush that can be used for bathing, massage and combing.
Pros
- Softens and smooths
- Get rid of loose fur, dandruff and dust
Cons
- Difficult to remove hair from the bristles
| Colour: | Black, green |
| Material: | Silicone |
Best grooming gloves
Byetoo grooming gloves have 261 tips that are an effective grooming brush, as well as a massage tool. The gloves are made of a porous mesh so they dry quickly if used in the bath. This product easily removes loose undercoats and loosens tangles without stressing your cat with the presence of a brush. They are easy-to-wear gloves, that are fitted at the wrist with adjustable straps. The gloves open wide so it's easy for you to get your hand inside.
Customer review: "Remove the hair from gloves easily to start again. The quality is very good they will last me for ages. such good value for money I would have paid more happily for them."
Pros
- Ideal way of grooming if your cat is nervous of brushes
- With breathable mesh fabric - comfy for you
Cons
- Not for intensive hair removal, such as mats
| Colour: | Pink and black (blue and black, red and black and black also available) |
| Material: | Silicone |
Best flea comb
This fine-toothed comb is a highly effective method of controlling fleas, with thousands of positive customer reviews. It's intended for use on short to medium-length coats. The closely spaced metal tines extract fleas, lice and eggs - with visible results. You benefit from a soft rubber handle with an ergonomic grip. After running the comb through your cat's coat, dip it in warm water mixed with liquid detergent to kill the fleas.
Customer review: "I was shocked to capture five live fleas with ease and a lot of flea dirt. I would highly recommend this to get on top of a flea problem. My cat didn’t love it but she tolerated it and the comb seemed gentle enough on her fur."
Pros
- Effective - you can see the results
- Ergonomic design with a long rubber soft grip handle
Cons
- A bit small
| Colour: | Red, black |
| Material: | Metal, rubber |
Which cat brush is best?
We choose the pecute Double Sided Pet Massage Bath Brush as the best cat brush to leave your kitty feline fine after a good groom. The 2-in-1 brush is a versatile choice for households with more than one cat of varying hair type. Additionally, it's a multifunctional brush that can be used in the bath or to massage, as well as brushing. The bristle brush will help distribute natural oils to make their coat soft and shiny.
FAQs
Types of cat brushes
You should choose a cat brush that best suits your cat's hair type. For long-haired cats, grooming is essential to detangle and prevent matted fur.
Bristle brush - an excellent finishing brush to make a coat look shiny. Not a good choice for thick coats that are prone to matting. But an ideal option for sensitive cats with short coats.
Pin brush - has wide-spaced teeth and is a good choice for medium-long-haired cats. The pins are tipped with plastic balls that are gentle on your cat's skin - this helps to exfoliate, massage and distribute natural oils throughout their coat.
Slicker brush - has fine wire tines at different angles and is effective at removing loose hair, as well as dirt. Be aware that for cats with sensitive skin, the thin tines can be irritating and you should opt for a rubber brush or a grooming glove instead.
Rubber brush - with wide soft teeth, this gently moves through the fur, detangling. It gives your cat a gentle massage too, improving blood flow and your cat's skin health. A good option for cats who dislike metal brushes.
Other cat grooming tools
Dematting or de-shedding tool - penetrate your cat's coat down to the soft, dense undercoat. They'll prevent matting by removing excess downy hair and leave your cat's coat looking silky, without snagging or scratching your cat's skin. Never use scissors on matted fur. You should only use specialised tools, to prevent nipping your cat's skin.
Detangling comb - have long teeth that prevent matting by removing excess loose fur and detangling. They won't massage the skin, and cats that generally don't like brushing may dislike them. A good choice for medium to long-haired cats.
Flea comb - an essential brush featuring a single row of closely-spaced metal teeth to use periodically if your cat goes outdoors. Investing in a flea comb is a highly effective way of keeping pests at bay as well as using a flea treatment for cats. Start at the base of your cat's neck and work your way down its coat to its tail. You can use flea powder, flea collars and shampoo treatments if you find an infestation.
Grooming gloves - are covered in small rubber nubs that massage your cat's skin and draw out loose hair. It's a good option for short hair cats and cats with sensitive skin.
How do I groom my cat?
Grooming is a part of maintaining your cat's overall health and wellbeing, if you need tips check out this RSPCA guide to grooming.
Choose a time when your cat is relaxed to groom them. Before you start brushing, inspect their skin with your fingers for any lumps, bumps or anything out of the ordinary. Only then, if you and your cat are happy, proceed with brushing.
Gently brush along your cat's entire coat, from head to tail and remove any collected fur or debris from the brushing tool. Always brush in the direction of the fur growth otherwise you'll pull against your cat's skin and irritate them.
Gently tease tangles out with the brush. You can use a de-matting tool to cut mats out. Also, the cat brush should be washed in warm, soapy water from time to time.
The majority of cats love to be brushed, but it's always good to reward positive behaviour and give them a little treat after grooming.
Use one of our favourite cat nail clipper sets to sort out your kitty's claws.
How often should I brush my cat?
It depends on your cat's coat type and the length of its hair. If you have a long-haired cat, daily brushing is recommended. But generally, once a week is fine for short and medium-haired cats. Do not overbrush your cat as you'll risk reducing their undercoat and even damaging their skin.
When do cats moult?
There are a couple of times in the year when cats moult. Around April cats will shed their heavy winter coat, you'll see an excess of the fine, soft hair that makes up their undercoat. In October cats replace their summer coat with a newly grown coat for winter. Brushing reduces the amount of shedding because you are capturing the loose hair with a brush rather than letting it fall off around the home.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.