The average cat is very good at grooming herself, spending 15% to 50% of her day cleaning. However, both long-haired and short-haired cats can benefit from regular grooming to help remove loose hair and distribute natural skin oils throughout the coat, says veterinarian Aimee Simpson, medical director of the VCA Feline Hospital in Philadelphia.
In this guide to the best cat brushes, I tested 22 different grooming tools over a 10-month period, including two cats, one with short hair and the other with long hair. I appreciated smoother brushes, shaving combs, shaving tools, curry brushes, and grooming gloves. I have also consulted with veterinarians and professional groomers about the benefits of caring for cats and how best to do the job. Read more about how I tested these products at the end of this guide.
Best for Shorthaired Cats: Furbliss Pet Brush – See Chewy. The Furbliss Multi-Purpose Pet Brush is the only grooming tool most shorthaired cats need, and it even removes hair from upholstery and clothing.
Best for Longhaired Cats: Safari Cat Self-Cleaning Smoothing Brush – See Chewy Safari Self-Cleaning Smoothing Brush that helps detangle tangled undercoat and cleans it with the push of a button.
Best Hair Removal Kit: Furminator Hair Removal Kit – see Chewy. The closely spaced teeth of the Furminator Hair Removal Kit pull loose hair and dirt from your cat’s undercoat without irritating the skin.
Best Hair Remover: Chris Christensen’s Cat/Carding Comb #013 – See Chris Christensen. Chris Christensen Cat/Carding Comb #013 has two unequal length teeth to dig and untangle the mat.
Best Grooming Glove: HandsOn All-Purpose Bath and Grooming Mitten – See ChewyHandsOn Grooming Glove is the perfect way to remove hair, dirt and dander from cats that are sensitive to grooming and handling.
BENEFITS: 100% medical grade silicone, reversible design, can be used wet or dry, for grooming and massage, back side can be used to remove hair from clothes and upholstery, two designs, dishwasher safe, machine washable, 100 % Satisfaction Guaranteed
A good curry brush is ideal for grooming short-haired cats, says Melissa Tillman, owner of Melissa Michelle Grooming in San Leandro, California. The Furbliss pet brush impressed me not only because of its flexible silicone tips that gently and effectively remove loose hair, but also because it can also be used to massage pets, remove hair from clothing and upholstery, and dispense shampoo in the bath.
This double sided brush is made from 100% medical grade silicone. On the front there are flexible knots that smooth the surface and stimulate blood circulation. On the back panel there are crisscross compartments for storing shampoo, allowing you to thoroughly clean it in the shower. Once dry, it can also be applied to the back of clothing and upholstery to remove hair and lint.
Furbliss comes in two different designs. The blue brush has dense conical teeth for short-haired pets; the green brush has larger and more widely spaced tips for long haired pets. I’ve tried it on both my longhaired and shorthaired cats and haven’t noticed much difference between the two. Each of them goes well with both types of fur.
The lightweight brush is comfortable to hold and use. The fur will stick to the silicone material, making it difficult to clean, but it can be rinsed with warm water or even thrown into the dishwasher or washing machine. While Furbliss can help remove loose hair, dirt, and dander from long-haired cats, it is actually effective for short-haired cats. Its durability allows your pet to be groomed, massaged and cleaned for a lifetime.
Benefits: Self-cleaning button retracts pins for easier epilation. Ergonomic handle with rubber grip. Stainless steel hairpins detangle tangles and help groom the undercoat.
All of the smoothing brushes I’ve tested do a good job of detangling tangles and removing unwanted hair from long-haired cats. However, the size of the brush head and retractable pins of the Safari Self-Cleaning Smooth Brush put it well above other brushes. When the brush needles are full of hair, pressing the button on the back pushes the front plate forward and removes the hair.
The lightweight, smooth Safari brush has an ergonomic rubber coated handle. Its 3″ x 2″ paddle with 288 stainless steel pins (yes, I counted!) is flexible enough to get into hard to reach places.
This brush can be used for both longhaired and shorthaired cats, but is best used for longhaired cats with thick and thick undercoats. It can’t remove all pads, but it does a good job of helping me deal with pads on the chest and underarms of my longhaired cat.
If your cat’s coat is heavily tangled, you may need a Chris Christensen comb to untangle the tangles. In more extreme cases, they may need to be removed; this job is best left to the professionals, Simpson says. “Never try to cut cat hair rugs with scissors. This can lead to accidental tearing of the skin,” she says.
However, for cats that get confused from time to time, the Safari Self-Cleaning Smoothing Brush is an affordable and easy-to-use tool that will get the job done.
Pros: Tightly packed stainless steel prongs for easy plucking, light weight for easy grip, small enough to get into hard to reach places, self-cleaning fur ejector, available in two sizes.
I didn’t know how much hair my cat’s undercoat had until I bought a depilation kit. Of the five epilators I tested last year, two have proven to be very effective in removing unwanted hair from both shorthair and longhair cats: the Andis Pet Hair Removal Kit and the Furminator Hair Removal Kit. The Andis Deshedder fared slightly better than the Furminator, which we previously called our top pick, but is rarely found in stock. Therefore, we recommend the Furminator as the best depilatory brush. It’s also a favorite of VetnCare veterinarian Keith Harper of Alameda, California.
With just a few strokes, the Furminator removes as much hair as most other epilators in an entire brushing session. The power of this tool lies in its densely spaced stainless steel teeth that penetrate the top layer of the coat and gently grab and remove hair deep in the undercoat without causing discomfort or irritating your cat’s skin.
The tool comes in two sizes. The small 1.75″ wide blade fits cats up to 10 pounds. The medium size brush has a 2.65″ wide blade and is suitable for cats over 10 pounds. Both brushes are equipped with ergonomic handles and a button for ejecting accumulated hair.
None of my cats have experienced discomfort when cleaning with a depilatory tool – one cat really liked it – and the curved plastic edges prevent the blades from accidentally cutting the skin.
The only thing I don’t like about this brush is that it is so effective, only a few strokes cover the hair and you have to use it a lot.
Pros: Double length stainless steel teeth, solid brass spine, light weight, comfortable to use at different angles.
The undercoat of long-haired cats easily forms tangles that can cause discomfort and, in some cases, illness. “Knots can cause the hair to pull against the skin, causing pain,” Simpson says. Urine and feces can also stick to the back of the mat, increasing the risk of skin and urinary tract infections.
According to Loel Miller, owner of Mobile Grooming by Loel in Walnut Creek, CA, the best comb on the market for tangling tangles is Chris Christensen’s No. 013 Cat/Carding Buttercomb. The best choice is the JW Pet Gripsoft cat slicker brush. Chris Christensen’s comb penetrates the mat well and detangles fur stuck in it.
This lightweight comb has stainless steel teeth built into a durable 6″ shaft. The teeth are arranged alternately in long and short teeth. The comb does not have a real handle, only a 1/4-wide ledge that runs the entire length. As it turns out, the lack of a handle actually makes this comb more versatile and easier to use – comfortably hold it at any angle to detangle your hair.
The Chris Christensen Oil Comb is without a doubt the best comb we have ever tested and its high price reflects its quality. Although it does an excellent job of getting rid of mats and mats and only costs a fraction of the cost of a regular visit to a professional groomer, it doesn’t make much sense to buy one for shorthaired cats. It does little to remove fine, tangled hairs.
Pros: Ideal for sensitive cats, flexible and comfortable, available in five sizes, can be used wet or dry, suitable for massage or bathing, durable.
“Some cats naturally love to be groomed, some tolerate it, and some resent it,” Miller said.
Those who refuse to groom with a brush or comb can tolerate grooming gloves that fit snugly into the natural shape of the palm. “Using grooming mitts or soft rubber brushes will help your cat get used to gentle grooming,” Simpson says.
I find HandsOn’s well-constructed all-purpose bath and grooming mitt to be the best brand I’ve tested. The rubber palm is full of round protrusions: three on each finger and two on the thumb. The opposite side of the glove is made from durable nylon fabric and features a Velcro wrist closure that holds the glove securely in place.
Gloves come in five sizes, from small to extra large. For me, as a woman of average build, these medium size shoes fit perfectly. Unlike other gloves I’ve tested, they didn’t feel too bulky when I clenched my fist or flexed my fingers. HandsOn gloves can be used wet or dry and won’t crack, tear or warp, which the company claims is a sign of their durability.
The mitt proved to be the least effective at removing hair from cat hair compared to all other brushes and combs I tested. However, if your cat is sensitive to scratching, the HandsOn grooming mitt will help remove at least some of the hair, as well as dirt and dander.
Choosing the best brush for your cat depends on their coat type. Long-haired cats will need a smoother or pin brush and possibly a waxing kit to remove dead hair and dirt from the top of their head and undercoat. Long-haired cats who love mats may also need a comb to help detangle the braids and slowly detangle them. Short-haired cats can also use a smoother brush or brush, but they may prefer a soft rubber curry comb. Grooming gloves are another good option for shorthair cats, especially if they are sensitive to sensitivities.
Yes! Grooming removes dead hair and skin cells that would otherwise be swallowed or thrown onto the floor during grooming. The less hair cats eat, the less likely they are to develop normal hairballs. Brushing also distributes natural oils throughout the coat, making it shiny, stimulating circulation, and most importantly, helping cats bond with their owners.
Even professionals have different opinions on how often cats should be brushed. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), brushing your teeth once or twice a week will help keep your cat’s coat healthy. The VCA Hospital recommends daily grooming of your cat, especially if it has a long or thick coat. Tillman’s rule of thumb is to groom your cat as often as possible, while Harper says he doesn’t have a rule of thumb but a caregiver should stroke the cat’s body with their hands (if not with a brush or comb) at least once. day. Older cats who cannot self-groom may need more regular grooming than younger cats.
Similarly, there are no universally accepted rules for brushing your teeth with hair removal products. For example, Andis recommends using the epilator several times a week, while Furminator recommends using it once a week.
According to Miller, cats “quickly go from purring to attacking your face with razor-sharp claws” during grooming. Instead of sticking to a set schedule, pay close attention to your cat’s body language. If they become restless or try to move away from the brush or comb, end the session and pick them up again later.
The sooner you start brushing your cat’s teeth, the better. “A kitten that is groomed and nailed regularly will get used to being touched,” Simpson says. To ensure your cat brushes successfully, Simpson recommends placing her in a comfortable, quiet area with a brush or comb so she can be gently stroked and given a tasty treat. food. Foods that are easy to lick, such as light cheese and Inaba Churu, are especially valuable to many cats. “If you work alone and don’t keep cats indoors, they’ll be less worried,” Simpson says.
According to Harper, hair loss is a normal function of any furry animal. “Everything has an expiration date,” he said. “Hair falls out naturally and is replaced by new follicles.”
A cat’s tongue is covered with papillae, small dots that point backwards and help cats hold on to food while eating. These nipples also trap dead, loose hair as they lick and groom themselves.
Nipples that trap fur during grooming prevent cats from spitting out what they remove. The hair has nowhere to go but down the throat and stomach. Most of the wool that a cat swallows is normally digested and excreted in the litter box. In some cats, especially those with gorgeous long coats, some hair may remain in the stomach and slowly accumulate there. Over time, this hairball becomes annoying, and there is only one way to get rid of it: vomiting.
Harper says there are many reasons why a cat may shed more than usual. Skin irritation from parasites such as fleas or allergies to new foods or substances in the environment can cause your cat to scratch more often and shed more hair in the process. Cats may also secrete more fluid around a wound after an injury, especially if they are able to scratch the area.
Most minor scratches and scabs will go away on their own without intervention, Harper says. You can also use over-the-counter skin creams or ointments such as Neosporin. But if there is no change within three days or the irritation gets worse, he recommends contacting a veterinarian.
Cats don’t need to be bathed, Miller says, but bathing effectively removes dander and dead skin and keeps your cat’s coat looking fresh. However, not many cats enjoy having their guardians bathed. If you think your cat might want to take a bath, give it sparingly and use a shampoo made for cats, not people. If your cat really needs a brush but hates baths, try grooming wipes like Earthbath’s hypoallergenic version.
If the cat is very confused and needs to be shaved, it is better to contact a professional. “Cat skin is easy to cut, so it’s best to let us deal with it,” Tillman said. If you have a cat that doesn’t like being groomed, don’t hesitate to hire a groomer to do all the basic grooming. “It’s best not to push your cat’s limits or you could get hurt,” Miller said.
To determine the most effective cat brushes and combs in this guide, I ran the following tests on 22 different brushes and combs. Most of the instruments were received from manufacturers as samples for editorial review. Insider Reviews acquired Furminator, Resco Comb, SleekEZ Tool, Chris Christensen Buttercomb #013, Master Grooming Tools Brush, Hertzko Brush and Epona Glossy Groomer.
Hair Removal Test: In order to objectively compare brushes in the depilatory and smoothing brush categories, I use a different brush every three days to ensure my short hair is fully cared for. The removed hairs were placed in labeled plastic bags and placed side by side to show which tool removed the most hair.
Post time: Sep-04-2023
