The 6 Best Cat Brushes & Deshedding Tools 🐾
Less brush, more hair everywhere. More brush, less hair everywhere. Simple — but only with the right brush. Short-hair cats need a different tool than long-hair breeds, and a bad brush can damage your cat’s coat. Here are six we’d recommend.
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At a Glance — Our Top 3 Picks
🥇 Best Overall
FURminator deShedding (Short Hair)
⭐ 4.8/5
The deshedding standard.
💰 Best Self-Cleaning
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker
⭐ 4.6/5
Button-release = no picking hair.
👑 Best Long Hair
Safari Cat Shedding Comb
⭐ 4.7/5
For Persian, Ragdoll, Maine Coon.
How We Chose
We tested on hair removal effectiveness, coat safety (no pulling), cat tolerance, cleaning ease, and build quality. Long-hair and short-hair were tested separately.
The 6 Best Cat Brushes & Deshedding Tools
#1 — Best Overall
FURminator deShedding Tool (Short Hair)
The brush that revolutionized deshedding.
Why We Picked It
FURminator set the standard in the mid-2000s and is still the benchmark. Unlike regular brushes, it reaches into the undercoat and removes loose hair at the root without pulling healthy topcoat. Weekly use on a short-hair cat and couch hair decreases noticeably within a month.
Pros
- ✅ Removes undercoat hair others miss
- ✅ Ejector button releases caught hair
- ✅ Multiple sizes
- ✅ Doesn’t damage topcoat when used correctly
- ✅ Vet and groomer recommended
Cons
- ⚠️ Can over-brush if used too often (1x/week plenty)
- ⚠️ Not for long-hair breeds
- ⚠️ Some cats find it intense — introduce gradually
Best For: All short-hair cats. The default.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5
Verdict: Highly Recommended
#2 — Best Self-Cleaning
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
Push the button, the hair falls out.
Why We Picked It
Self-cleaning slickers are a quality-of-life upgrade. Instead of pulling hair off bristles by hand, press a button and bristles retract. Hertzko’s version is best-priced, bristles are soft enough for sensitive cats.
Pros
- ✅ Button-release cleaning
- ✅ Bent bristles are gentler
- ✅ Works on short and medium hair
- ✅ Inexpensive
- ✅ Good starter brush for skittish cats
Cons
- ⚠️ Not as effective on undercoat as FURminator
- ⚠️ Bristles can deform with heavy use
- ⚠️ Not for truly long coats
Best For: Sensitive cats, first-time brushers, mid-length coats.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5
Verdict: Highly Recommended
#3 — Best Long Hair
Safari Cat Shedding Comb
The comb that gets through Persian coats.
Why We Picked It
For long-hair breeds, slickers and FURminators can mat the coat if used wrong. A proper shedding comb with dual-row teeth works through tangles without pulling and removes undercoat cleanly. Safari’s is what professional groomers use for Persians, Ragdolls, Maine Coons.
Pros
- ✅ Dual-row teeth deshed + separate
- ✅ Rotating teeth prevent snagging
- ✅ Safe for long silky coats
- ✅ Durable metal
- ✅ Groomer-preferred
Cons
- ⚠️ Requires more technique than slicker
- ⚠️ Takes longer per session
- ⚠️ Not as fast at bulk hair removal
Best For: Long-haired breeds, show cats, home groomers.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5
Verdict: Highly Recommended
#4 — Best Rubber
KONG Cat ZoomGroom
The rubber brush cats actually like.
Why We Picked It
Some cats hate metal bristles. The ZoomGroom is soft rubber, feels like massage, and picks up surprising amounts of hair via static. Our starter brush for every kitten.
Pros
- ✅ Cats love it — also works as petting tool
- ✅ Gentle on skin
- ✅ Great for kittens and sensitive cats
- ✅ Dishwasher safe
- ✅ Affordable
Cons
- ⚠️ Less effective than metal on heavy shedders
- ⚠️ Not for deep undercoat
- ⚠️ Hair collects on brush face
Best For: Kittens, sensitive cats.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
Verdict: Highly Recommended
#5 — Best Glove
DELOMO Pet Grooming Glove
Pet your cat; groom them without them realizing.
Why We Picked It
For cats who refuse brushes, the glove is the workaround. Soft silicone tips pick up hair while you pet. Less effective than brushes, but the comparison is ‘glove vs. no grooming.’
Pros
- ✅ Cats don’t realize they’re being groomed
- ✅ Great for anxious cats
- ✅ Also removes furniture hair
- ✅ Hand-washable
Cons
- ⚠️ Less effective than proper brushes
- ⚠️ Short lifespan
- ⚠️ Not for deep undercoat
Best For: Anxious cats, kittens, brush-refusers.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5
Verdict: Recommended
#6 — Best Kit Value
Pet Neat Pet Grooming Brush Kit
Multiple tools at one price.
Why We Picked It
Multi-cat households with different coat types, or new to grooming? A kit makes sense. Pet Neat includes slicker, de-matter, and shedding blade at a price lower than buying one premium tool.
Pros
- ✅ Multiple tools at one price
- ✅ Good variety for experimentation
- ✅ Decent build quality
- ✅ Great for new cat owners
Cons
- ⚠️ Each tool is average rather than best-in-class
- ⚠️ Slicker bristles deform
- ⚠️ No long-hair comb
Best For: New cat owners, multi-cat households.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5
Verdict: Recommended
What to Look For
Different coats, different brushes.
- Short hair: FURminator + rubber brush for variety.
- Medium hair: Self-cleaning slicker + shedding comb.
- Long hair: Shedding comb + de-matter. Avoid aggressive slickers.
- Kittens: Rubber brush or glove.
- Frequency: Short hair 1x/week. Long hair 3-4x/week minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I brush?
Short: weekly. Long: every 2-3 days. Daily during shedding season.
My cat hates being brushed.
Start with a rubber brush or glove. Brush during petting sessions, 30 sec at a time. Treats after.
Is the FURminator safe?
Yes when used correctly — once a week, gentle pressure, dry clean coats. Daily use damages topcoat.
Can brushing reduce hairballs?
Yes, significantly. Removing loose hair before your cat swallows it is the single best prevention.
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Our Final Purr-spective
FURminator for short-hair. Safari Comb for long-hair. Hertzko Slicker if you hate picking hair off bristles. Start there.
— From our cats to yours 🐾